Before the advent of media devices, football coaches at all levels used simple whiteboards to outline plays, map out player positions and explain schemes in real time. Nowadays digital playbooks and tablets have taken over, but coaches still use whiteboards on occasion to impart information quickly and effectively. The following are some quick notes and observations from the Washington Commanders
‘ much-needed24-21win over the New York Giants on Thursday night.Daronte Jones learned from his first meeting with Giants
In the first meeting between the Commanders
and Giants, the Washington’s defense played well in the first half but let New York offensive coordinator Greg Roman dictate terms in the second. The Giants showed heavy run looks but passed out of these formations to move the ball against the blitz and loaded box looks. In response, Jones went to more basic zone coverage and away from the blitz packages. When Washington’s defense couldn’t generate pressure up front, Giants quarterback Jameis Winston started picking them apart. Jones went back to Cover 0 blitzes too late but the Giants capitalized on several coverage lapses in the secondary.
Jones kept his foot on the gas in Thursday night’s game, continuing to bring the heat even when the Commanders regained the lead late in the game. While some defensive coordinators would have gone to a prevent defense, Jones continued to overwhelm J.J. McCarthy with blitzes and the pressure generated not one, but two chances for Rasul Douglas to secure an interception to close out the game. After dropping the first, the journeyman cornerback hauled it in on the second.
While linebackers Sonny Styles and Frankie Luvu have received a lot of justifiable praise for their play up front, the Commanders’ revamped secondary and defensive advisor Steve Wilks also deserve tons of credit for holding up behind those blitz packages. Safety Nick Cross failed to get home on a blitz that cost Washington a big play to Isiah Likely but, for the most part, cornerback Trey Amos and company did a good job of limiting the passing game. That’s especially true of Pro Bowl wide receiver Malik Nabers, who finished the night with 44 receiving yards on five receptions, with most of those coming on a 37-yard completion early in the third quarter. Styles didn’t do all his work at the line of scrimmage, supporting several coverage packages during the game. The Giants did make some plays, but Jones and the Commanders’ defense limited their effectiveness while making a few game-changing plays when needed.
David Blough called his best game of the season
Rookie offensive coordinator David Blough has understandably been under the microscope lately and for good reason, but he responded with his best offensive plan yet on Thursday night. Blough moved the pocket, utilized chip blocks on the edge and mixed up under center and up-tempo looks. He stuck to the run but wasn’t married to it on early downs, and although there were still some pre-snap penalties, they were reduced. The Commanders committed just four accepted penalties for 17 yards. The net result was more manageable third-down distance. Washington’s offense converted 7-of-14 third downs for an improved 50% conversion rate. When the time came, the playaction was also effective, with Blough pairing elements of Kliff Kingsbury’s offense with horizontal concepts that allowed the Commanders’ offense to attack multiple levels of the field.
All this came on the back of the work done up front by the Washington’s interior line. After being under fire early this season, Nick Allegretti responded to another starting nod with his best game of the season According to John Keim and ESPN research, Daniels was pressured on 17.9% of his drop backs Thursday, the second lowest pressure percentage faced in his career (minimum three dropbacks). More time in the pocket allowed Daniels to build his confidence and get comfortable within the offensive system.
Was it all perfect? The goal-line series at the end of the first half was certainly questionable, as were the underneath throws to Chig Okonkwo. The important part, though, was that Blough checked a lot of the boxes that have been missed for much of the season, and both he and the offensive line should be given full credit this week, with a nod to Ben Sinnott for stepping up when his number was finally called.
Larry Izzo’s special teams came up big in the third phase
The Washington Commanders special teams ranked slightly below the league average headed into the game, but Larry Izzo’s squad provided a game-changing performance in Week 10.
Drew Stevens’ addition has been one of the big wins of the 2026 season, with the undrafted free agent going 17-for-20 on the season and 13-for-13 from inside 50 yards. His 46-yard field goal early in the second quarter would turn out to be a deciding factor in a game where the Commanders won by three points and Giants rookie kicker Dominic Zvada, missed from 33 yards out. Punter Tress Way also had a good night, with four punts of 198 yards for a 49.5 yard average with none bigger than his 49-yard boot from the Commanders own goal line after the offense went three plays for minus-15 yards to start the second half.
Kain Medrano got in the mix by punching the ball out on a kick return, but the teams play of the game came from Luke McCaffrey, who made a heads-up play to field a kickoff out of bounds to give the Commanders the ball on their own 40-yard line at the end of the game. There is a reason McCaffrey continues to hold a place on this team.
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What does Thursday night’s victory mean for the Commanders?
Head coach Dan Quinn was quick to praise the team for getting amuch-needed win at MetLife Stadium, and it was great to see both rookie coordinators take a big step forward. The victory kept their season alive. While the NFC East remains wide open, it doesn’t matter if the Washington Commanders cannot build on their progress. For now, fans may enjoy a must-win victory and Daniels’ dominance over a division rival before watching the team take the field again next Monday night.
