Washington’s secondary and offensive line are also under the microscope.
The start of the season was always going to be challenging for the Washington Commanders.
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The schedule makers didn’t do them any favors with a three-game slate featuring road contests against divisional rivals — the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys — before a visit from the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. It increased the likelihood Washington falling into an early hole that would make a return to the playoffs that much more difficult.
The Commanders almost stole a close game against the Eagles on Sunday but came up short in a 24-22 loss. If they can’t bounce back against the Cowboys (0-1), Washington will have a lot of making up to do in the NFC East.
Here are five key factors for the Commanders on Sunday:
Throughout the first three quarters against the Eagles, Jayden Daniels was out of rhythm. He lacked the decisiveness he displayed throughout training camp. Philadelphia’s strong pass coverage played a factor, but he was often sluggish in getting through his progressions and held on to the ball too long.
On average, Daniels took 3.41 seconds to throw the ball, according to Next Gen Stats, which was the slowest mark in the NFL during Week 1. The pass catchers need to do a better job of separating — they were 19th in average yards of separation, according to NGS — but he also needs to speed up his decision-making.
That was Daniels’s first game in nine months, so it’s understandable that he needed time to work himself into a groove. Plus, it was his first time operating offensive coordinator David Blough’s system. But Daniels said Wednesday that’s “no excuse” for playing poorly. He looked far more settled in during the fourth quarter, and the Commanders are hopeful that carries over against a Cowboys defense that struggled mightily in a Week 1 loss to the New York Giants.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin was limited to two catches for 14 yards last week and was targeted just four times all game. While it’s true that the Eagles sent extra attention toward McLaurin, that’s simply too low of a target share for a player of his caliber.
“You try to predict what you could see,” Daniels said Wednesday when asked how to keep McLaurin involved. “I’m not going to force-feed Terry the ball. I’ll still go through my reads. But when those opportunities present themselves for Terry to make plays, I know he’ll make ’em.”
The responsibility ultimately falls on Blough to get McLaurin open. Perhaps shorter, quick-hitting passing concepts to get him going early in the game would make a difference.
Dallas’s secondary was already questionable, and now it’ll be without starting free safety Malik Hooker, who suffered a broken forearm against the Giants. So it should be easier for the Commanders to unlock the passing game this week.
Although the Commanders held quarterback Jalen Hurts to a pedestrian stat line last week, he was able to hurt them on explosive plays as they allowed four completions of 17-plus yards. Given the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are two of the most explosive wide receivers in the NFL, Washington can’t allow that trend to continue.
Cornerback Mike Sainristil received a lot of flak for his struggles in coverage, but safeties Nick Cross and Jeremy Reaves also had costly miscues that contributed to the chunk plays. The breakdowns were a result of both communication issues and poor technique.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Mike. I really do,” Commanders Coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday. “I love him. I’m certain that he’ll be one leveling up on plays that he knows can be controlled.”
Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones calls an aggressive defense. Against the Eagles, he dialed up blitzes on a third of their snaps (the ninth-highest rate in the NFL), which helped Washington pressure Philadelphia on 36.4 percent of its dropbacks (11th). It also shrunk the margin for error for the defensive backs, since they didn’t have as many players in coverage.
Even an effective pass rush can’t completely make up for poor play on the back end. Facing a dynamic duo in Lamb and Pickens, with a quarterback capable of making every throw in Dak Prescott, the secondary must be much sharper.
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Rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams was excellent in the fourth quarter last week. He only had one catch for 16 yards through the first three quarters, but he came alive with three catches for 48 yards in the final period. The last one was a one-yard touchdown catch that gave Washington a chance to tie the game.
Williams played just 26 snaps, which was the second fewest among the Commanders’ active wide receivers. It feels safe to say he’s earned a larger role in the offense.
The O-line stood out as a concern during camp because of many of the issues that showed up against the Eagles. For starters, the Commanders couldn’t get the run game going as they recorded just 4.1 yards per carry. Quinn said he thought they “left some meat on the bone” in the run game, and noted that made it easier for Philadelphia to sit back in two-high safety coverages.
Although Daniels’s tendency to hold on to the ball didn’t make life easier in pass protection, the offensive line also just got beat on a lot of the Eagles’ pressures. Philadelphia pressured Daniels on 50 percent of his dropbacks. That’s obviously not good enough.
Center Nick Allegretti had a challenging game. His biggest miscue was a whiffed block that doomed the Commanders’ two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game late. His snaps were fine, but his blocking wasn’t up to par.
Left tackle Brandon Coleman also had a long day. He gave up a team-high nine pressures and allowed a sack, according to NGS. There will inevitably be a drop-off from the injured Laremy Tunsil to Coleman, but the Commanders expect more.
The Cowboys’ defensive front played poorly last week, but it’s a talented group. Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary are high-impact players who will test Washington’s offensive line.
Linebacker Jordan Magee was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of the hamstring injury he suffered against the Eagles. He’ll have to miss four games before he’s eligible to return. Ale Kaho, who is on the practice squad, stands out as a sensible option to call up to the active roster.
Tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) and linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin) didn’t practice Wednesday. Their status for Sunday is up in the air.
“There’s some uncertainty there, for sure,” Quinn said. …
Defensive end Dorance Armstrong practiced for the first time this season after serving a one-game suspension, though he was limited Wednesday with a knee injury. It’ll be interesting to see whether he or outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson gets the starting nod against the Cowboys. (Chaisson was also limited Wednesday with a knee issue.)
“He’s got really good rush skills,” Quinn said of Armstrong. “He’s very complementary in that he can work outside, inside. … To see his speed back and his explosion back, that’s a big deal.” …
Safety Tyler Owens (ankle) practiced Wednesday. He’s trending toward playing Sunday.
Defensive tackle Daron Payne, defensive end Charles Omenihu, linebacker Odafe Oweh and wide receiver Jaylin Lane joined Armstrong and Chaisson as limited participants. …
The Commanders signed offensive lineman Lucas Patrick, who has logged starts at center and guard throughout his career. He appeared in six games for the Cincinnati Bengals last season. …
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Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) didn’t practice Wednesday.
