The Washington Commanders’ strongest unit is their defensive position. Even with out Chase Young, the group is huge, athletic, and reliable. On Monday Night Football tonight they are going to be going up towards a staff with one of many strongest offenses within the NFL — the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles.
In their Week 3 matchup, accidents reduce into the Commanders’ defensive position depth with three gamers out, together with present sack chief Daron Payne. Tack on two beginning defensive backs additionally inactive for that recreation, and the Eagles KO’d the Commanders by halftime. They didn’t run the ball properly, however Jalen Hurts was excellent as a passer, throwing for 340 yards and three touchdowns. Carson Wentz was the other. He averaged 4.9 yards per move try and threw for no touchdowns regardless of his staff being down 24-0 at halftime.
That ugly 24-8 defeat was a part of a four-game shedding streak to present the Commanders a 1-5 begin to the season, however they’ve been a lot better of late. They have gained three of their final 4 video games, and final week turned one of many many groups left scratching their heads after a one-score loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
What has sparked this turnaround is their protection. Per DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average), they’ve the Twelfth-best protection within the NFL and are No. 2 towards the run. They are additionally considered one of solely two groups within the NFL to have 5 gamers with three or extra complete sacks on the season.
That move rush was throughout Cousins in Week 9 towards the Vikings. If the Commanders don’t get known as for an unlawful contact on a protracted snapper penalty late within the fourth quarter, they get the ball again, at house, with just below two minutes remaining, and solely down three factors.
G/O Media might get a fee
The Commanders’ protection has not given up greater than 20 factors since a 21-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 5. A ferocious efficiency in Week 6 in Chicago pressured the Bears to re-evaluate their total offensive scheme after a 12-7 loss, and switch into one of the vital explosive models within the NFL.
Since the Eagles’ huge Sunday Night Football win towards the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6, they’ve confronted the Houston Texans, the Pittsburgh Steelers (with out T.J. Watt), and had their BYE week. The indisputable fact that they’re the one undefeated staff left within the NFL is spectacular, however they haven’t performed elite competitors since earlier than the NBA common season tipped off. Now the Eagles should go up towards a division rival that has seen them as soon as, and is a a lot more healthy staff than they have been again in September.
Of course the Eagles have an amazing benefit on offense, with a lot better quarterback play and a robust dashing assault. The Commanders haven’t been in a position to persistently run the ball all season and their beginning quarterback is at present Taylor Heinicke.
But the Commanders do share one commonality on offense with the Eagles. They even have two dynamic playmakers at large receiver with Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel Jr. If the Commanders defensive position shuts down the run prefer it did towards the Eagles in Week 3, and is ready to do a greater job of containing Hurts with extra wholesome our bodies to throw at him, this might be the week that Eagles lastly catch an L within the loss column.Â