The Commanders loss to the Eagles leaves a lot of uncertainty about Washington. There are many that think this loss was devastating. I think it was a kick in the ass. The Eagles game proved that this team is not where they want to be. Their depth is not as good as they would like. I think Jayden Daniels is not healthy. I think Daniels needs more time in the film room, which to his credit, this was a short week. The defense needs to be more physical in the trenches and get home as they call it.
Washington is a good team, but they have yet to see what it is to be great.
Here are 5 shortcomings the Commanders showed on Thursday:
Did not get Terry McLaurin involved early and often. His first target came at 4 minutes into the 3rd quarter and didn't make his first catch until 5 minutes into the 4th quarter. McLaurin is 3rd in the NFL in receiving yards and to not target him early and often is something Jayden Daniels need to work out. Kliff Kingsbury needed to make sure this was an emphasis going into Thursday.
Ignored the heavy dose of running the ball. Brian Robinson had 13 carries while Austin Ekeler had 2. Robinson's YPC was under 4, but when he has the ball he is a load to handle. He can wear defenses out. Ekeler is that shifty back with good hands who off sets Robinson very well in this offense. Neither were used as they had been in previous games.
Jayden Daniels was off of his game. I don't know if the rib injury is still affecting him, or if it was pressure, or just an off night, but something was definitely off with Daniels. I have never seen him be so inaccurate. It was almost as if the pressure got to him and it all came crashing down during the game. He looked tense when dropping back to pass and a number of passes were behind, low, and into coverage. Hopefully, the longer rest before the Cowboys gives him time to heal up.
The defense did not look like its normal attack on the ball against the Eagles. I have noticed the Commanders defense will swarm around a ball carrier but that was not the case against the Eagles. It was almost as if the Commanders switched things up and played a little more zone press and Cover-2. Washington seemed a bit too concerned with A.J. Brown and not focused on the scheme overall. Honestly, the WR's for Philly didn't cause much problems as in years past, but Washington dropped the ball on stopping the run when it counted.
While it was the 4th down call to go for it late in the 4th quarter down by 2, and in field goal range, there was a chance for the Commanders to get the ball back on a 4th down in which everyone knew it was going to be a hard count to draw the off sides. That is exactly what happened. Where is the coaching on those situations. Where you tell your team, don't jump. Discipline has to be a key for the Commanders moving forward if they want to get better. It's also the situational awareness of the players that execute that focus and discipline on the field.
The Commanders loss to Philadelphia showed Washington came in with empty gas tanks and little preparation. Play-calling and avoiding what works is what this game really came down to. Terry McLaurin is one of the best WR's in the game, and he doesn't see a target till the 3rd quarter? Unacceptable. Brian Robinson is the best at gaining yards on the ground for his size and he barely plays through the middle of the game?
Zach Ertz gets the only game ball from me. He scored a TD and 2 point conversion and was the leading receiver for the Commanders.
Note: Washington traded for Marshon Lattimore, a Pro-Bowl CB from New Orleans, and he has yet to play a game while healing up from a hamstring injury.
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Look for Cowboys preview on Friday.
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