admin
How alarmed should the Washington Commanders be regarding their offense?
Did you notice how the Bears’ coaches were determined to play the Commanders? After watching the tape against the Chargers, it’s not rocket science to recognize the Bears’ coaches planned to crowd the line of scrimmage. They decided Jacory-Croskey Merritt was not going to beat them. They concluded that they would test Washington to see if the tight ends and receivers could beat them.
“Bill” found the going tough all night long, as the line of scrimmage was crowded, congested, making it so difficult to run into the second level of the Bears’ defense. In addition, did you notice how, in the final quarter, it seemed so often when QB Jayden Daniels dropped to pass, he was pressured. The Commanders’ offensive line could not protect Daniels long enough, and the Commanders ‘ pass routes were not getting open against mostly press-man coverage.
And why not? Terry McLaurin has been out now three weeks. Another starting receiver, Noah Brown, has been out for four weeks. Deebo Samuel was clearly not as explosive, playing through a sore and injured heel. I mean, I want Chris Moore to succeed like you do, but the fact that Moore had to play 68 percent of the offensive snaps, what does that tell you?
In August, Moore made the final cut of the 53-man roster because he has shown himself to be willing to play hard and aggressively on special teams coverage units. Each team needs a couple of receivers and defensive backs willing to run hard and do this coverage, and that is Moore. But now he is playing so much because of the injuries to those they kept on the field to play the most snaps at receiver.
Look, even Tay Martin and Ja’Corey Brooks, both called up from the practice squad, were called upon on seven offensive snaps. Deebo was noticeably slower, yet still played 72 percent of the time. The Commanders were in desperate need of receivers who could separate from defenders. The Bears coaches knew it and dared Daniels to find someone open.
Thus, “Bill” only managed 17-61 on the ground, Samuel had one carry for -1 yards, Jeremy McNichols had two for five, and Jaylin Lane gained seven yards on his only carry. QB Jayden Daniels ended up running ten times for 52 yards, providing some much-needed help for the running attack.
The Commanders can become accustomed to this defensive tactic because, until they have receivers who can separate and get open downfield, defensive coordinators will likely take away the Commanders’ running game, as they did on Monday night.
#Washington #Commanders #lost #trenches #Bears
