Washington Commanders’ defense must be more effective in explosive offense mitigation – Washington Commands Blog

DETROIT — The first games of 2022 showed what the Washington Commanders’ offense can do. It includes many playmakers, a quarterback that can be threatening on every side of the field, and the ability to score quickly. It is why the Commanders are optimistic about this season.

It is only necessary for defense to play its part.

The Commanders (1-1) will need more support from a defense which struggled in 2021 if they want to challenge for a playoff place this season. Two games down, and they face a formidable opponent. Philadelphia Eagles’ offense Sunday (1 p.m. ET, Fox) — Washington’s defense has continued to surrender big plays and too many points.

In the opening match against the opponent, it almost cost the team their game. Jacksonville Jaguars. It did cost them in Sunday’s 36-27 loss The versus Detroit Lions. And if they don’t fix their issues, it’ll cost them in the future as well.

“We’ve got to lock it in and not panic, figure it out,” Washington linebacker Cole Holcomb said.

Yes. The Commanders are 27th in yards allowed and 27th in points allowed after two games. In the two previous games, no other team has allowed more plays over 40 yards (four). After a safety, they gave up a 59 yard return from a free kick. The Commanders were 22nd in yards and 25th in points last season.

The Commanders played without establishing strong safety Kamren CurlHe is still recovering from the right thumb injury that required surgery in August. Chase YoungAs he heals from an ACL tear last November, he is currently on injured reserve. The linebacker position is also a key spot for three second-year players (Jamin DavisCorner (Benjamin St-JusteSafety (Darrick Forrest); they’re an experienced defense in some parts but developing in others.

They’ve also lost depth along the defensive line. Commanders rookie backup Phidarian Mathis In the opening quarter, suffered a knee injury that ended her season. Backup Daniel Wise I was discharged Sunday after sustaining an ankle injury. Donovan JeterNext Gen Stats reports that a rookie undrafted-free agent, signed earlier this week to play 18 snaps. And the reserve end Casey ToohillYoung’s key sub suffered a concussion while Young was away.

That’s why head coach Ron Rivera said after the game that he had “a lot of concern” about the defensive line depth, especially after tackle Jonathan Allen 52 snaps were taken with a sore stomach. Rivera stated that he was supposed to be doing a snap count but that he suffered from injuries.

It is also important that the secondary plays a more consistent role. On, there was some coverage that was not accurate. Amo-Ra St-Brown’s 49-yard pass reception in the first quarter in which he was wide open in the middle of the field. There was a lack of awareness in the secondary on St. Brown’s 58-yard jet sweep run in the fourth quarter. Washington had just cut the lead to 22-15. It was 29-15 after three plays.

“No one even knew I had the ball,” St. Brown told reporters afterward. “I don’t even think the safety that was looking at me knew I had the ball, and all I hear from the defense is, ‘Oh s— ,’ from everyone. And I knew — I knew at that point it was going to be a big play.”

Washington’s secondary struggled early last season with communication, stemming in part from having three new players among its top five defensive backs. Communication is not an issue, according to the Commanders.

“We communicate very well; nothing has changed in that aspect,” safety Bobby McCain said. “We have to be better on the little things, be more detailed in practice and understand everyone has to do their job. We’ll get it done.”

Forrest, who took the place of Curl when asked about Sunday’s first half, mentioned the scheme.

“It felt like they knew exactly what we were in,” Forrest said of the first half. “It was great offensive playcalling.”

Allen however, refuted this claim Monday afternoon and said that the players deserved the blame.

“I’m not a fan of putting a lot of things on the coaches. We’ve got to be the ones executing,” he said.

Rivera explained that the breakdowns usually result from one player not performing. Indeed, of Detroit’s 425 yards, 227 came on six plays. He cited as an example, the 22-yard touchdown catch made by him. D’Andre Swift In the third quarter, a Detroit back was not able to turn onto a defensive back. Swift fell, got up and ran to the end zone. Ten players did their job; one didn’t — and it cost them.

“It’s not a group. It is not schematics. It is failure to put ourselves in position to force things to happen,” Rivera said. “There were six plays they made on that really gave us trouble. I’m not sure if I would put that much as much on schematics as much as I was some of the things that we’ve got to do better.”

Washington’s offense features explosive talent. Quarterback Carson Wentz In two games, he threw seven touchdown passes. The Commanders are sixth in yards and seventh in points per game. They also rank second in plays of 25 yards or greater with seven, which is a quarter of their total last season. Their points are also very quick, with all of them scoring after the half.

Washington must learn from its mistakes. The Commanders will also focus on the fact that they have improved on third downs (fifth NFL) and that Detroit was stopped on its first two red-zone trips — forcing a field goal and then stopping them on downs. The Lions scored touchdowns on four of their subsequent trips to the scoring zone. While the defense can look good in certain moments, consistency is a problem. The inconsistency is a problem. The Commanders allow 8.47 yards per first down, which is the worst in the NFL. This stat was boosted by two plays that combined gained 108 yards.

They remain positive.

“If we keep putting our best foot forward,” McCain said, “it’ll happen for us.”

It must. A season that has the potential to be enjoyable will be wasted. Again.