The Daily Slop – 17 September 2026
Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
Commanders links
Articles
Washington Post (paywall)
Jayden Daniels’s rhythm and more X-factors for Commanders vs. Cowboys
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:
The offensive line needs to improve
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.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
Lucas Patrick signing confirms Commanders fans were right to fear the worst
[T]he Commanders are reportedly signing versatile interior offensive lineman Lucas Patrick to their 53-man roster. This is the clearest sign yet of dissatisfaction with how things unfolded at Lincoln Financial Field.
Patrick has experience at all three interior offensive line positions. He suited up six times for the Cincinnati Bengals last season and started one game. While his production wouldn’t be classed as elite by any stretch, the Commanders are clearly desperate enough to give him a shot.
If nothing else, Patrick becomes a better depth option.
The Commanders don’t have much of that, so they had to do something.
Allegretti was awful in Philadelphia, looking shaky, unsure of his responsibilities, and blowing assignments in crucial moments. With only sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin behind him, his job is now legitimately in jeopardy.
Patrick can pile on the pressure. But the big question centers on whether his knee can hold up.
The New York Giants cut Patrick before the season, but the reports were positive. His knee issue did flare up again, so it’ll be interesting to see how much he can do right away in Washington.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Pro Football Focus
2026 NFL offensive line rankings
32.Washington Commanders
- LT: Brandon Coleman
- LG: Chris Paul
- C: Nick Allegretti
- RG: Sam Cosmi
- RT: Josh Conerly Jr.
While there are still concerns about theCommanders offensive line, they will feel good about what they saw from second-year right tackle Josh Conerly in Week 1. He struggled early as a rookie before improving in the second half of his debut season, and that progress continued against the Eagles, with Conerly earning a 78.4 PFF pass-blocking grade. Right guardSam Cosmi impressed again, allowing a pressure rate of just 2.4%.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
Commanders Film Review: Daronte Jones defense
Breaking down our first real look at the new defensive scheme under Daronte Jones
[I]f the Commanders opening game of the season is anything to go by, Jones is very much willing to get aggressive and try to dictate terms to the offense, rather than being passive and letting the offense do what they want to do. It’s a risky style and as we saw, there can be some big coverage busts that come from it, but overall Jones and the Commanders defense looked good and showed all the hallmarks of the Vikings defense under Flores.
What are those hallmarks of a Flores defense? Let’s jump into the All-22 to review them.
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The Athletic (paywall)
Which are the best and worst NFL offseason additions after one week?
Trending Down
Odafe Oweh, edge, Washington Commanders
The Commanders signed Oweh to a four-year, $96 million contract in free agency. It was a lot of money for a player who filled a third-edge role for the Chargers after landing in Los Angeles via trade in October. The Commanders need Oweh to play like a No. 1 edge. He did not perform at that level in a Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Oweh had one clean-up sack and a tackle for loss in the run game. But he was not impactful on a down-to-down basis. He had trouble getting loose from Eagles tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Among 96 players with at least 20 pass-rush snaps in Week 1, Oweh ranked 84th in pressure rate, according to TruMedia.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Last Man Standig (paywall)
Bill Croskey-Merritt’s fumble didn’t cost Washington the ball but it cost him snaps
As those holding audio recorders, microphones and video cameras in front of his locker stall began to disperse in search of their next interview targets, “Bill” turned to the one reporter remaining.
“The fumble. Go ahead.”
The Alabama native’s sunny disposition is his default mood setting, even when rehashing a professionally scary moment. In this case, he could smile about the outcome. Right tackle Josh Conerly Jr.’s successful dive meant Washington maintained possession and avoided a potentially game-ending gaffe. “Man, Josh. Let’s gooooo,” Bill exclaimed. “He saved me.”
A new season offers a clean slate, but it doesn’t erase memories. No non-quarterback had more than Bill’s four fumbles last season. Two were lost.
For more from Ben Standig, click here
Riggo’s Rag
Jordan Magee’s injured reserve setback tests Commanders’ patience again
The Washington Commanders confirmed that Magee has now been placed on injured reserve, ensuring he will miss at least the next four games. The former Temple star left their Week 1 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles with a hamstring issue, and it was severe enough to sideline him again.
This is another significant setback for Magee, who’s dealt with his fair share over an up-and-down career to date.
And one has to wonder just how much longer the Commanders will stay patient.
Magee caught the eye over his first offseason in 2024. A knee injury that required surgery halted that, but it looked like the tide had finally turned in his favor after he played in all 17 games last season, starting eight.
[H]e can ill-afford the injury-prone tag to follow him around.
Magee has talent. He’s fast, athletic, and instinctive. He brings a physical presence that’s hard not to admire, and the coaching staff loves him.
But sometimes, that isn’t enough.
The best ability in the NFL is availability. Magee is a gifted young player, so hopefully, this will become nothing more than another slight setback en route to a long career in Washington. But it is a stumbling block nonetheless.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Last Man Standig
Commanders schematic trends: What stood out most in the Week 1 numbers
Defensively, Washington increased its use of Cover 2 and quarters, decreased Cover 1, and blitzed more often. Individual numbers also stood out, from Daron Payne’s pressure rate to how often Philadelphia attacked Mike Sainristil downfield.
It’s a one-game sample, so think of this as a starting point, not a conclusion.
It’s a bit surprising that Blough called fewer multiple-TE sets than former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, a connoisseur of the spread offense. But losing tight end Chig Okonkwo to a hamstring injury and recognizing rookie Antonio Williams’ matchup aside, factored into the equation.
For more from Ben Standig, click here
The Athletic (paywall)
NFL Week 2 picks: Why I’m betting against the teams everyone thinks will bounce back
The Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos will not bounce back — against the spread, anyway. The San Francisco 49ers will somehow not take the bait in what is the easiest letdown spot ever. Jaxson Dart will keep on using his head — and not as a battering ram.
Now, there are exceptions. The Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns are taking a high-board, full-speed dive this season, so any games involving them need a longer look.
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (-4.5) | 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
After an offseason of hope and bluster, the Cowboys’ defense was alarmingly bad Sunday night, as the Giants converted 9 of 11 third downs (and one of the failures was the game-ending kneeldown). Dallas’ linebackers seemed lost. They have to get better — especially since the Commanders averaged 8.8 yards to go on third down in their loss to the Eagles. But it won’t be that much better. Take the points.
The pick: Commanders
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Podcasts & videos
NFC East links
The Athletic (paywall)
Buying the Giants offense
Maybe the Dallas Cowboys’ problematic defense isn’t any better than last year, but the New York Giants absolutely destroyed them from wire to wire Sunday night; it was the kind of performance that often predicts future success. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the offense was quarterback Jaxson Dart’s play. Dart made some nice throws, took what the Cowboys gave him, and used his legs effectively. I’m not sure I was fully bought into the Dart experience within a Matt Nagy and Greg Roman offense, but the poise and accuracy he showed in prime time has me reconsidering that stance.
Outside of Dart, the other reason the model likes the Giants more today than it did before the season is that they looked better than expected in the trenches. The Giants’ offensive line completely dominated the Cowboys’ front, delivering 0.7 EPA per dropback and a 51 percent success rate on the ground. The model still has concerns about New York’s defense, but it’s buying the offense being better than expected and believes the Giants will be a factor in the NFC playoff race.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Bleeding Green Nation
Eagles vs. Commanders: 14 winners, 5 losers, 5 IDKs
COOPER DEJEAN
Was that the worst regular season game of DeJean’s career? The third-year nickel cornerback was targeted nine times and allowed seven receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown. Weird to see another team have so much success going after him time and time again.
The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane noted that he saw DeJean get up slow and wince after a play earlier in the game, so, perhaps he got banged up and wasn’t his normal self. His track record is way too strong to not give him the benefit of the doubt. Guessing it’s just one bad game. We’ll see if that’s the case.
MAKAI LEMON
Between his preseason debut and Week 1, Lemon has been targeted nine times … for negative two yards. That’s insane.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Bleeding Green Nation
Eagles pass rush arrives slowly, and ended up gassed in the 4th quarter vs Washington
[Philly’s] defense has an offense problem. The Eagles’ defense played 67 snaps while the offense ran only 53 and gained just 10 first downs. Washington possessed the ball for 10:02 in the fourth quarter alone and put together touchdown drives of 67 and 63 yards. You could see the defense tiring. Jalen Carter looked exhausted by the end, and the pass rush dropped off. This is becoming a familiar problem. The defense can play exceptionally well for long stretches, but asking it to keep returning to the field eventually has consequences.
The advanced numbers tell an interesting story. The Eagles generated pressure on 47.4% of Washington’s dropbacks despite blitzing on only 23.7%, but Daniels was sacked just once. That matches up to the film. The rush affected him and remained disciplined, but it rarely arrived quickly.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Pro Football Talk
Nick Sirianni explains decision not to put Landon Dickerson on injury report
Apparently, an injury isn’t an injury if a team doesn’t know with certainty what the injury is.
That’s the story to which the Eagles are sticking, when it comes to the failure to put guard Landon Dickerson on the Week 1 injury report.
Via Zack Berman of The Athletic, coach Nick Sirianni told reporters on Wednesday that Dickerson didn’t appear on the report because the injury wasn’t determined until imaging was conducted after the game.
So is Sirianni saying the Eagles had no idea Dickerson was injured at all?
“A few weeks ago, [I] got rolled up on in practice,” Dickerson said Monday. “I thought as weeks went by it would get better. It didn’t, and we kind of went out there and finally got some imaging on it today, figured out what was wrong with it.”
[W]hile it’s possible Dickerson kept it to himself, it’s hard to imagine no one noticing that Dickerson wasn’t 100 percent.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Upcoming opponent
Blogging the Boys
Cowboys playoff tracker: How loss to Giants affects Cowboys’ playoff chances
The Cowboys lost their opener and are now looking at a 27% historical playoff rate. If they had won, they’d be sitting pretty with a 61% historical playoff rate.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The good news is that getting back to .500 already changes the picture considerably. Historically, teams sitting at 1-1 after two games made the playoffs 43% of the time.
Win the next two, and the Cowboys would be 2-1 — a record that historically translated into a 62% playoff rate.
So there’s no reason to panic after one game. But there is reason to pay attention.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Blogging the Boys
How to fix the Cowboys Sunday night defensive disaster
The Cowboys’ performance Sunday night has fans backpedaling their excitement for the season, and that’s fair. But it would be more concerning if the root cause is a lack of talent rather than things that can be corrected. The coaching staff has their work cut out for them and must help the players carry out their plan. If they can’t bridge the gap quickly, they could dig themselves an early hole that they might not be able to crawl out of.
For a better sense of what went wrong, we’re going to take a closer look at this defensive apocalypse and examine what mistakes are fixable and what are legitimate concerns.
Read option readiness
The problem: Edge defenders took the bait and completely abandoned their lane responsibilities
Fixability: Easy
The good news is this isn’t a physical limitation. The defense just needs better discipline.
Coming up flat on the flat
The problem: The flat turned out to be the safe zone for the Giants offense, especially down the stretch. The Cowboys’ linebackers and safeties were so focused on managing traffic over the middle that they were hanging too far back and couldn’t react quickly enough to make plays in the flat.
Fixability: Moderate
While the read-option problem is a player discipline issue, defending the flat is shared by the player and coaches. It requires a schematic adjustment to stop conceding the underneath so easily, but it also requires quicker reaction from defenders.
Soft coverage
The problem: Allowing receivers to sneak into soft spots in coverage
Fixability: Moderate
Better communication and quicker reaction can tighten up some of these creases, but there’s a fine line between trusting the players to make the changes and considering adjusting the scheme. The Cowboys must figure out which is more pertinent because if they stubbornly employ a coverage scheme that isn’t working, it will be a slow death this year compared to the fast one last year, but a death no less.
Free chances
The problem: Too many penalties at the worst possible time
Fixability: Hard
Penalties usually stem from poor technique from desperate players in recovery mode, while others are just mental miscues. The Cowboys’ penalties fall into the latter category, and while those are easier to correct, Brian Schottenheimer’s track record with the team isn’t inspiring. Last year, the Cowboys had 133 accepted penalties, the most in the NFL.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
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NFL league links
Articles
ESPN
Seahawks rule QB Sam Darnold (glute) out vs. Cardinals
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, multiple sources are bracing for Darnold to miss roughly four weeks from the time of his injury but are hoping he can come back sooner. One source told Fowler that Darnold returning for the 49ers game in Week 5 feels like a possibility. Another source estimated that he’ll be sidelined for three to four weeks and added that the quarterback is moving around much better in recent days.
Darnold is dealing with a glute injury that knocked him out of Seattle’s season opener. An IR stint would require him to miss at least the next four games, so keeping Darnold on the 53-man roster indicates the Seahawks believe he has a chance to return before then.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Discussion topics
Pro Football Talk
ManningCast slumps to 705,000 viewers
Few TV shows have a more dramatic disconnect between industry and viewer response than the ManningCast. The Peyton and Eli Show, an alternate Monday Night Football broadcast that will be televised 11 times during the regular season and the Super Bowl, continues to draw rave reviews from the critics — while not moving the needle that truly matters.
On Monday night, for example, only 705,000 of the 23.2 million viewers who watched the Broncos-Chiefs game were tuned in to ESPN2 for the combination football broadcast/talk show, via Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
That’s only three pecent of the total audience.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
