Watching Sunday's ultimately decisive win against Tanner McKee and the injury-ravaged Philadelphia Eagles, I couldn't escape the feeling that there is the nucleus of a good football team, struggling to escape the grip of poor coaching and preparation. On this occasion, that team broke free toward the end of the first half to overcome a 7-point deficit and hand a 10-27 loss to their division rival, on the way to earning its second win in seven games.
Will the Commanders be able to ride the momentum from the come-from-behind win to victory over the visiting LA Rams in Week 9? Who knows. But there was plenty to like, as well as plenty of areas for improvement, in the Commanders' takedown of the dirty birds.
On the positive side, the Week 8 victory featured the best coverage performance by the secondary this season as well as the best games in burgundy and gold by WR Treylon Burks, OLB Dorance Armstrong, NT Shy Tuttle and DE Charles Omenihu. Despite some lapses, the OL gave Jayden Daniels plenty of time in the pocket, and CB Trey Amos played a nearly perfect game of shutdown coverage.
On the not so positive side, the team continues to start slow. It took nearly a full half of football to get the offense going and to stop committing penalties. In the first half, the Commanders committed 7 for 50 yards, compared to just 2 for 20 yards in the second half.
If the Commanders can figure out how to start games like they started the second half against the Eagles, they will give themselves a chance to beat a better opponent in Week 9.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's have a look at where they lined up, who stepped up, who could have done better in the Commanders' first divisional win of the season.
Technicalities: Stats were sourced from the official NFL gamebook via NFLGSIS, Pro Football Reference (PFR), Pro Football Focus (PFF) and ESPN's total QBR. In cases where advanced stats are scored differently, I have chosen preferred providers (eg. QB pressures – PFF, yards before contact – PFR). Where differences in advanced stats result from judgment calls (eg. Coverage yards allowed, broken tackles) I have gone with a modified consensus approach. When there is fundamental disagreement between sources, the stats won't be reported. Minor differences between sources that support the same conclusion are reported. If advanced stats are reported without attribution of source, it means there was consensus. As always, official NFL stats override conflicting data from other sources.
These plays had the largest impact on teams' scoring potential within a drive, as judged by Expected Points Added (EPA). Threshhold: EPA = +/- 2.25
Q3, 2:51, 1stand 10 at WAS 40: Jayden Daniels pass complete deep right to Treylon Burks for 53 yards. Penalty on Quinyon Mitchell: Illegal Contact, 5 yards (declined). EPA 4.0
Q4, 2:18, 1stand 10 at PHI 37: Rachaad White left tackle for 33 yards. EPA 3.16
Q4, 8:30, 2ndand 8 at WAS 33: Jayden Daniels pass complete deep right to Antonio Williams for 30 yards. EPA 2.39
Q3, 2:51, 1stand 10 at WAS 40: Jayden Daniels pass complete deep right to Treylon Burks for 53 yards. Penalty on Quinyon Mitchell: Illegal Contact, 5 yards (declined). EPA 4.0
Q4, 2:18, 1stand 10 at PHI 37: Rachaad White left tackle for 33 yards. EPA 3.16
Q4, 8:30, 2ndand 8 at WAS 33: Jayden Daniels pass complete deep right to Antonio Williams for 30 yards. EPA 2.39
Q1, 0:33, 4thand 4 at PHI 38: Drew Stevens 56 yard field goal. EPA 2.28
Q1, 15:00: Jake Elliott kicks off 59 yards, returned by Luke McCaffrey for 44 yards. EPA 2.26
Q4, 9:01, 4thand 14 at WAS 23: Jake Elliott 41 yard field goal no good. EPA -2.93
Q3, 3:01, 3rdand 4 at WAS 37: Tanner McKee sacked by Dorance Armstrong for 3 yards. Tanner McKee fumbles (forced by Dorance Armstrong), recovered by Charles Omenihu at WAS-40. EPA -3.88
Q1, 5:29, 1stand 10 at WAS 26: Tanner McKee pass complete deep left to Saquon Barkley for 24 yards. Penalty on Rasul Douglas: Illegal Contact, 5 yards (declined). EPA 2.9
Q1, 12:14, 4thand 11 at PHI 37: Drew Stevens 55 yard field goal no good. EPA -2.72
Q1, 5:37, 1stand 20 at WAS 10: Jayden Daniels pass complete short middle to Chig Okonkwo for 11 yards. Chig Okonkwo fumbles (forced by Andrew Mukuba), recovered by Zack Baun at WAS-26. EPA -3.08
Jayden Danielscompleted 16 of 29 attempts (55.2%, ADOT 9.7 yds) for 217 yds and 1 TD, with 1 dropped pass. He had a career-low 2 rushing attempts for 23 yds.
Daniels took 2 sacks for 20 yds. According to PFF, he faced 10 pressures, his lowest figure in a complete game this season.
Daniels' effort was good for a 58.8 total QBR, which ranked 16thamong starting QBs in Week 8. He was penalized 5 yards for a false start in the 1stquarter.
Rachaad Whiteled the Commanders' rushing attack, with 11 attempts for 55 yds (5.0 Y/A), 1 TD, 2 first downs, and a long run of 33 yds. His effort was good for a 45.5% rushing success rate, a little below the 40thpercentile for RBs this season.
White averaged just 1.5 yards before contact per attempt, which is in the bottom 10% for running backs this season.
White caught 2 of 3 passing targets for 5 total yds.
Austin Ekelerhad 8 carries for 36 yds (4.5 Y/A) and 1 first down (37.5% success rate). Ekeler averaged 3.5 YBC/Att, which is above the 90thpercentile for RBs this season. He was not targeted as a receiver.
Jeremy McNicholshad 5 rushing attempts for 21 yds (4.2 Y/A) and 1 first down. He averaged 2.4 YBC/Att, right around league average for RBs this season. Despite the modest rushing average, he achieved an 80% rushing success rate. He caught his only passing target for 7 yds.
With Terry McLaurin out for the season, Antonio Williamsstepped up into the WR1 role. He led the team in targets (7) and receptions (5), was second in receiving yards (54), and led the WRs in reception rate (83.3%, ADOT 8.7 yds). Williams was the Commanders' second-most productive receiver at a decent 1.86 Y/RR. He caught his only contested target, and produced 2.0 YAC/rec.
Treylon Burksled the Commanders with 81 receiving yards, and had elite-level productivity at 3.12 Y/RR. He caught 3/5 targets (60%) with 1 drop at a team-high 17.8 yd ADOT. He posted 5.7 YAC/Rec. His 53 yd reception was the longest of the game.
Stefon Diggscaught 3/6 targets for 38 yds and 1 TD, with a 7.8 yd ADOT. He was the Commanders' third-most productive receiver at a modest 1.46 Y/RR. He led Commanders' receivers with an impressive 7.0 YAC/Rec.
Van Jeffersonhad 1 target without a reception.
Chig Okonkwocaught 2/4 passes for 32 yds. His 13.5 yd ADOT was second highest on the team, after Treylon Burks. Chig was responsible for the Commanders' only turnover on a stripped pass by Andrew Mukuba following an 11-yard reception.
The other TEs were used almost exclusively as blockers.
LT Brandon Colemanallowed 1 QB hit, but was otherwise very good in pass protection (3.0% pressure rate). His 80.2 run blocking grade was the highest on the team this week.
Coleman drew a 5 yd false start penalty on a kickoff in the 2ndquarter.
LG Chris Paulallowed 1 sack and 1 QB hit in 33 pressure opportunities. His 6.1% pressure rate allowed was his highest of the season. Paul's 53.6 run blocking grade was a significant improvement over his 40.7 season average (lowest among starting guards), but still not good. He also drew a 5 yard false start penalty in the 1stquarter.
C Lucas Patrickdid not allow a pressure in pass protection for the third time in 5 games this season. His 61.4 run block grade was very close to his season average (61.5).
RG Sam Cosmialso allowed 0 pressures in pass protection for the third time in 5 games. His 43.5 run blocking grade was uncharacteristically low, and well below his 70.8 season average. Cosmi collected his first penalty of the season, a 5 yd false start in the 1stquarter.
RT Josh Conerly Jrhad a rough outing. He allowed 1 QB hit and 2 hurries in pass protection. His 9.1% pressure rate was below the 10thpercentile for starting OTs. His 51.5 run blocking grade was also in the bottom 10% for his position.
Lastly, Josh was flagged 5 yards for being ineligible downfield, if only just, in addition to a 5 yard false start penalty in the 3rdquarter.
Dorance Armstronghad his best performance of the season, featuring 4 tackles, 3 assists, 1 TFL, 1 strip-sack for a turnover. He led the team with 5 total defensive stops. His 28.6% run stop rate is off the charts for any position.
K'Lavon Chaissonmade 3 tackles and 1 assist, with 1 TFL, 1 missed tackle, 1 sack and 3 QB hits. His 16.7% pressure rate is above the 90thpercentile for edge rushers this season.
K'Lavon was flagged 15 yds for unnecessary roughness in the 2ndquarter, and a dubious roughing the passer call for 15 yds in the 3rdquarter.
Odafe Owehmade 1 tackle and 1 assist with 1 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 QB hit (2 total stops).
Joshua Josephsmanaged to log 1 tackle in 14 defensive snaps.
Shy Tuttlestepped up to lead the iDL in tackling, recording 4 tackles, including 2 TFLs, and 2 assists. In the pass rush, he added 1 sack and 1 QB hit, for an elite-level 14.3% pressure rate on the interior. Altogether, he contributed 3 defensive stops.
Charles Omenihualso lit it up with his best game to date as a Commander. He made 2 tackles and 2 assists with 1 TFL. Against the pass, he generated 1 sack, 3 QB hits and 1 pressure. His 16.7% pressure rate is elite for an interior pass rusher, and would be above the 90thpercentile for an edge rusher. He contributed 3 total defensive stops and recovered the fumble on Dorance Armstrong's strip-sack.
Tim Settlecontributed 2 tackles, with 1 TFL. Both tackles were stops. In the pass rush, he generated 3 QB hurries. His 11.5% pressure rate was just below the 90thpercentile for iDL this season.
In limited snaps, Deatrich Wisegenerated 2 QB hurries for a whopping 22.2% pressure rate.
Sonny Styleswas second on the team in tackles (4, tie w/Dorance Armstrong and Shy Tuttle) and combined tackles (8, tie with Frankie Luvu). One of his tackles was a run stop. He generated 2 QB hurries in 4 blitz attempts.
The stats services were wide apart on his coverage numbers (PFF 0.23 Y/Cov Snp – lockdown; PFR 1.55 Y/Cov Snp – leaky).
Frankie Luvumade 3 tackles and 5 assists. He contributed to 4 defensive stops, including 3 run stops. His 12.0% run stop rate was above the 90thpercentile for LBs this season.
The stats' services also disagreed on Luvu's coverage numbers. But you have a choice of bad (PFR: 53 yds, 1.71 Y/Cov Snap) or deeply horrid (PFF: 94 yds, 3.0 Y/Cov Snp).
There was very good agreement on coverage between stat services this week. The consensus was that the CBs had their best coverage performance of the season.
Amik Robertsonled the CBs with 3 tackles and 3 assists, including 1 TFL and 2 total defensive stops. He also had 1 missed tackle.
There was slight disagreement on the details of his coverage stats, but both services had him in the lockdown range (PFF 0.25 Y/Cov Snp; PFR 0.43 Y/Cov Snp).
Trey Amoshad a nearly perfect game in coverage, allowing just 1 reception for 7 yds in 39 coverage snaps (0.18 Y/Cov Snp), with 2 pass breakups. What would have been his first career interception was negated by a questionable penalty.
Amos made 3 tackles and 1 assist, including 2 defensive stops.
Rasul Douglascompleted the shutdown trifecta. In 28 coverage snaps, he allowed just 2 targets and 1 reception for 8 yds (0.29 Y/Cov Snp), with 1 INT and 1 PBU. He also made 1 tackle.
Nick Crossis quietly having a quality season for Washington. Against the Eagles, he led the team in combined tackles (9), with 5 tackles, 1 TFL and 4 assists. His tackles included 4 total stops (2ndon team), with 2 against the run and 2 against the pass. He generated 1 QB hurry in 2 blitz attempts.
The stats services were wide apart on his coverage numbers. PFR credited him with 15 yds allowed in 42 coverage snaps (0.36 Y/Cov Snp), a very good figure for a safety who plays a fair amount in slot coverage. PFF counted 50 yds (1.2 Y/Cov Snp), which would be below average for his position and assignments.
Jeremy Reavesmade 2 tackles and 4 assists, contributing to 3 defensive stops.
The stats services could not agree on his coverage numbers. PFF had him close to perfect (1 rec, 4 yds, 0.09 Y/Cov Snp); while PFR had him a little below average for the position (3 rec, 26 yds, 0.62 Y/Cov Snp).
Quan Martinmade 1 tackle and 2 assists with no stops. He played just 17 coverage snaps, and there was disagreement on his numbers. So there is not much to say about his coverage performance.
Luke McCaffreyhandled kickoff and punt returns and excelled in both categories. He returned the Eagles' opening kickoff 44 yds to give the Commanders the ball on the 50 yard line. He also returned 1 punt for 27 yards.
Drew Stevenswas a perfect 1/1 on extra points and 3/3 on field goals under 50 yds. He was 1/2 on field goals over 50 yds, with a miss from 55 yds and a good attempt from 56 yds.
Tress Waypunted 3 times for 153 yds (51.0 Y/A), with 1 return for 12 yards and a net average of 47.0 Y/A.
Colson Yankoffled the teams units in snap count and tackles.
Kain Medrano, Quan Martin, Mike Sainristil, Jeremy Reaves, and John Bateseach made tackles in coverage.
Dyami Brownmade 1 tackle assist.
Jordan Mageeand Percy Butlerhad 1 assist and 1 miss apiece.
Tyler Owensjust had 1 missed tackle in and drew a 10 yard illegal block penalty on punt coverage.
