The Ravens repeatedly pound the ball, so will the Commanders make alignment and personnel changes on Sunday?
In the first five weeks, the Commanders have started with an alignment of utilizing five defensive backs, often referred to as “Nickel.” If you are not aware, back in the ’60s, legendary former Washington coach George Allen, a defensive coordinator, invented the “Nickel.” He figured if he removed a linebacker, he could insert a quicker defensive back when the offense was more likely to pass.
Fast-forward to 2024, and the Commanders have started five defensive backs each game. However, on Sunday, they face a Ravens team that leads the NFL in rushing yards, uses a terrific running quarterback (Lamar Jackson), and has a huge full back (Patrick Ricard) who weighs 300 pounds. Last but certainly not least is the NFL’s leading rusher through five games, Derrick Henry.
Will Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt actually come out in their nickel (five DBs) attempting to stop that Ravens offense? I certainly wouldn’t recommend it. If the Commanders do change, what might they change?
Would Washington remove a corner in favor of a linebacker? Mykal Walker, at 230 pounds, might be a better fit than a fifth defensive back. Another candidate that was thought a possibility was rookie linebacker Jordan Magee. At 226 pounds and very mobile, he might have been a candidate to help shadow the speeding quarterback Jackson. However, on Saturday afternoon, the Commanders announced Magee was out for Sunday, still not activated.
Another option might have been to go with a third safety instead of a third corner. However, rookie, Tyler Owens (215 pounds) is injured and already declared out. Might they go with safety Darrick Forrest (200 pounds) as the fifth defensive back?
These would have been both bigger and more mobile options. With Magee and Owens out of the game, perhaps another option might be playing five defensive lineman instead of four.. The Commanders could remove a corner and go with either a much bigger defensive tackle (Johnny Newton) or perhaps a third defensive end, such as Dante Fowler. This would likely mean more snaps in the rotations for tackles Phidarian Mathis and Newton. It could also mean more for defensive ends such as Andre Jones, Jamin Davis, or Javontae Jean-Baptiste.
Whatever Quinn and Whitt have determined this week, it will most likely mean two corners rather than three. It will also include an extra linebacker or defensive lineman on the field attempting to stop the league’s best running offense.