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What a day to be a fan of the Commanders!
In a primetime national televised game at home against a division rival, on a day where the Arizona Cardinals came from behind to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington and the Giants were on a bye, Washington took it to the Eagles at home!
It wasn’t a perfect game by any means and Dan Quinn failed to get his four quarters of complete football, but fans will take this win however they can get it.
Washington is set to host the 4-4 Rams at home next week before
a pivotal Thursday night clash with the Giants.
Below are my Studs and Duds of the game, followed by some notes.
Studs:
- WRs Treylon Burks/Antonio Williams: Someone needed to step up for the injured Terry McLaurin and both Burks and Williams did just that. Despite an easy would-be first down drop in the first quarter, Burks led the team in receiving yards (81) while Williams led the Commanders in receptions (five) and targets (seven). I really like what I saw from this duo.
- CB Trey Amos: In his second game back, Amos looked the part! The second-year corner was sticky in coverage all evening and should have had his first interception of the season if it was not for a bogus roughing the passer call on K’Lavon Chaisson. He had four total tackles (three solo) and led the team with two passes defended.
- EDGE Dorance Armstrong: Armstrong had a huge strip-sack of Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee in the third quarter which Charles Omenihu recovered. He had seven total tackles, one for a loss, the sack and three pressures. It was easily his best game of the season since his return, and maybe one of his best as a Commander.
- DL Charles Omenihu: Omenihu played like it was Halloween evening, as he was a demon all game. He had four tackles, one for a loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.
- DL Shy Tuttle: I didn’t see much of a drop-off at all with Tuttle taking over for the injured Daron Payne. Actually, I think Tuttle had a very nice game, collecting six total tackles (four solo), two for a loss, a sack and three pressures.
- RG Sam Cosmi: Cosmi did get flagged for a false start early in the first quarter, but other than that, he was rock-solid, locking down Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis for most of the game.
- K Drew Stevens: Yes, Stevens missed a 55-yard field goal in the first quarter, but the rookie hit four others, with his longest from 56 yards out. If it wasn’t for his leg, the Commanders may not come out on the winning side of this one.
Duds:
- LG Chris Paul: Despite what advanced metrics may try to tell you, Chris Paul is a liability out there at left guard. His slow foot speed and reaction skills are putting Jayden Daniels in harm’s way every week.
- OTs Brandon Coleman and Josh Conerly: Both Coleman (to be expected) and Conerly struggled with the Eagles pass rush. Both players didn’t look very good in the run game and yet again, both were called for pre-snap penalties. The disastrous season for Coleman continues, while it feels Conerly is regressing a bit lately.
- HC Dan Quinn: Yes, Washington got a much-needed win at home against a division foe, but the team came out again in the first half, after a bye week, and look unprepared and undisciplined. More pre-snap penalties plagued the offense, and the crowd let the team know it by reigning down boos from the stands early in the game. In his bye-week press conference, Quinn stressed the importance of playing four complete quarters of football. His team fell short of that yet again.
Notes:
- QB Jayden Daniels was off in the first half. Let’s make no excuses about this. He, however, looked very sharp in the second half and really elevated his game hitting some big throws and using his legs when needed. His connection with Treylon Burks and Antonio Williams seems to be growing and he found Stefon Diggs for his fifth touchdown of the season. It seemed like the cascade of boos reigning down from the fans early in the game may have ignited a fire in him.
- WR Luke McCaffrey didn’t contribute in the passing game, but he was instrumental as a returner on special team, returning the opening kickoff 44 yards and having a nice 27-yard punt return in the second quarter.
- TE Chig Okonkwo could have had a much bigger game if it wasn’t for his fumble in the first quarter and Jayden missing him on two pretty open throws. he did make a spectacular grab on a big third down conversion early in the third quarter.
- WR Stefon Diggs had a relatively quiet game but did secure his fifth touchdown of the season on a toss from Daniels in the second quarter. He finished with three receptions for 38 yards and the score.
- K’Lavon Chaisson had two roughing the passer penalties, but for a team that was lacking pressure from its EDGE rushers, Chaisson really stepped up big against Philly. He had four tackles (one for a loss), a sack, and led the team with four pressures. If it wasn’t for the two personal fouls penalties (one which I though was bogus), he’d have made my Studs list (I probably should still have him on it….).
- LBs Sonny Styles and Frankie Luvu didn’t make a ton of splash plays, but both linebackers played sound, disciplined football and helped shut down the Eagles rushing attack.
- Fans have been a bit tough on EDGE Odafe Oweh regardless of him being excellent against the run, but when he’s unleashed, he can be a special player.
- S Nick Cross looked excellent down in the box.
- OC David Blough had some very questionable play calls early on. He seemed to get dialed in more as the game went on. The bunch formation touchdown to Diggs was a great concept.
- Kudos to DC Daronte Jones and Steve Wilks for an excellent defensive showing!
