Washington Commanders offense bursts with old friend, running game

LANDOVER, Md. — After much talk in recent weeks about Terry McLaurin lining up solely on the left side, the Washington Commanders’ first offensive snap was a throw from Jayden Daniels to his best receiver — on the right side , Of course.

Okay, Cliff Kingsbury. Well done.

Beyond this not-so-subtle response to criticism, Washington’s offensive coordinator returned to a proven recipe for getting his unit back on track: running the ball early and often. Brian Robinson Jr. returned from a sprained ankle to account for 103 of a season-high 267 rushing yards in a 42-19 rout of Tennessee on Sunday that ended a streak of three back-to-back losses and showed what this offense can do by clicking on every point. facets.

“It’s a great thing to see,” said Robinson, who had the longest rushing touchdown of his three-year NFL career, a 40-yarder. “It’s a nice thing to do. I’m just glad we were able to really put it back into play and show the potential we have in our room and our running game. We have a serious running game, and we just have to believe in it.

A balanced attack with Daniels handing the ball over 36 times, throwing it 30 times and running nine allowed the Commanders to dominate time of possession and improve to 8-5 heading into their bye week.

“It opens up a lot, obviously, to be able to get guys to move the line of scrimmage and get to the second level and let our backs do what they do,” said Daniels, who ran for 34 yards to go along with 206. passing meters. “We’re getting to those times in the season where, in December and January, you have to be able to control the line of scrimmage and pass the ball.”

Playing Robinson makes a big difference. His teammates are 1-2 without him this season, and Austin Ekeler, injured Saturday with a concussion, put everything on Robinson’s shoulders.

Averaging 6.4 yards on 16 carries, the job was done.

“Man, is he a difference maker,” coach Dan Quinn said. “When Brian can get through it and move on and get to the next level, he’s really tough to play against.”

What works

The defense thrived while having to stay on the field for less than 20 minutes, forcing a turnover and keeping Tennessee off the scoreboard until the end of the first half. It was already 28-0 at that point.

Rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil – who celebrated his alma mater, Michigan, upsetting Ohio State a day earlier by questioning McLaurin about the outcome as the Buckeyes product was forced to sit in the interview room after their game with Sainristil’s Wolverines jersey – forced and retrieved Tony Pollard’s. fumble in the first quarter. The Commanders made it 21-0 three plays later.

“Offense, defense, special teams, we all feed off each other,” said six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, who joined London Fletcher as the only players to score more than 100 tackles in 13 consecutive seasons. “Whether it’s turnovers for us, for special teams or for the offense running down the field and scoring, we all have to feed off of that and I feel like we’ve done a good job.”

What needs help

The kicking game continues to experience difficulties. Zane Gonzalez missed two field goal attempts while replacing Austin Seibert, who went on injured reserve earlier in the week. Seibert reported a groin injury the next day after missing an extra point that would have tied the score in the final minute against Dallas.

If there are Cyber ​​Monday deals on kickers, Commanders are looking for a new one. They have six on the roster since March.

Store

With starting right tackle Andrew Wylie out due to a concussion, Cornelius Lucas took his place and didn’t miss a beat. Lucas opened the season splitting time at left tackle with rookie Brandon Coleman, and the linemate’s quick adjustment in Wylie’s absence helped the offense get on track.

“I thought he was a guy up for the challenge,” Quinn said.

Stock falling

Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis was healthy against the Titans after Carl Davis was elevated from the practice squad. Quinn called it a coaching decision.

The 2022 second-round pick is another blow to the four drafts Ron Rivera oversaw from 2020-23. All first-round picks are now gone following the release of cornerback Emmanuel Forbes on Saturday, and Mathis has already been passed on the depth chart by rookie Johnny Newton.

Injuries

Attrition has accumulated over 13 consecutive games, and Ekeler and Seibert are out at least the next three games after the bye: at New Orleans on December 15, against Philadelphia on December 22 and against Atlanta on December 28 or 29 .

Suffering from a hamstring injury, cornerback Marshon Lattimore hasn’t played since the Commanders acquired him from the Saints at the trade deadline, so his debut with them could come against his former team .

Key number

7 — Years since Washington last won a home game in December before Sunday, in Week 16 of the 2017 season. The team’s previous December victory of any kind was to 2021.

Next steps

To rest. As McLaurin said before leaving the stadium: “I’m going to enjoy this week off. »