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Commanders Vs. Cowboys (Game Two) – Studs and Duds

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NFL: Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Through one half, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders didn’t look like a team heading to the playoffs. By the end of the second half, Marcus Mariota and the Commanders had secured the sixth seed with a 23-19 come-back win. It was certainly a tale of two halves and a tale of two quarterbacks. To Daniels’ defense, his receivers were dropping balls left and right and the offensive line looked like a JV group playing a state title game against a Florida 6A. Like they have done all season, Washington mounted a second half comeback to secure the win and the team’s first time winning 12 games since the 1991 season (14-2).

Washington certainly didn’t look good heading into the postseason and will need to get some guys healthy and clean up their game prior to going to Tampa for a rematch of week one in the wildcard round.

Below are my Studs and Duds of the game followed by some notes.

Studs:

Marcus Mariota – Mariota played a near perfect second half when he came in for Jayden Daniels. He was 15/18 passing for 161 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 56 yards (with a long of 33) on five carries and added another touchdown.

Terry McLaurin – Terry was silent most of the game, but he stepped up big in the fourth quarter and ended up making the game-winning touchdown catch, one that saw him set the franchise single season record (13). He finished with a team-leading eight receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Mike Sainristil – Mike continues to show his worth as a rookie, making a handful of big plays in coverage and in run support. He was a great find by Adam Peters and will only get better. He had 10 total tackles, including two big hits in coverage, and three passes defended.

Bobby Wagner – Wagner has been solid all season for this defense, and that continued in today’s season finale. He had eight tackles, two for a loss, two stuffs, a pass defended, and three pressures.

Jeremy Chinn – Chinn was Washington’s leading tackler on the afternoon with 13. He had two tackles for a loss, a pass defended, a sack and two pressures.

Duds:

Michael Deiter – I don’t know how Michael Deiter is still in the league. He can’t block, can’t call protections and is a walking liability whenever he’s out there.

Benjamin St-Juste – The woes of St-Juste continue. He has a terrible reputation for being WAY too handsy, and although I didn’t agree with the pass interference call in the endzone, it still happened because his reputation precedes him. He was called for two penalties (a hold and PI) and was trucked on another play while he “attempted” to make a tackle.

Noah Igbinoghene – Noah was picked on all afternoon by none other than Trey Lance. It was an ugly outing against his former team – one playing without star receiver CeeDee Lamb.

Olamide Zaccheaus – Zacc did have a nice catch later in the game down the right sideline, however his two early drops, one that was about as easy a touchdown as they come, really hurt Washington.

Daron Payne – Paynesworth got the bag and now is playing like he doesn’t want to be on the field. If I’m Adam Peters, I see if I can find a trade partner for him over the offseason.

Brian Robinson – Ever since he decided to run his mouth a few weeks ago, Robinson hasn’t done squat to back it up. He had five carries for 10 yards in the game, and I can now confidently say this team NEEDS/DESREVES better from the position.

Notes:

  • Jayden Daniels did not look sharp in the first half of this game. It didn’t help that his receivers were dropping passes every other throw, but still, I think we all expected better.
  • John Bates didn’t play a very good game. He was called for a blatant hold, had a few plays where he couldn’t block the edge, and dropped a well-placed ball downfield.
  • Frankie Luvu showed up after he was held without a stat the week before. He made some nice plays at or behind the line of scrimmage and nearly had a pick early in the game.
  • Jonathan Allen is starting to round back into form, and it was nice to see him get a sack against Dallas.
  • Zach Ertz had five catches for 44 yards and a short TD from Mariota. He quietly had a really nice regular season for Washington.
  • Jamison Crowder had a muffed punt but it was not his fault as Luke McCaffrey bumped into him as he attempted to make the catch.
  • Darrick Forrest is not a very good football player. It’s not hard to see why he doesn’t earn that much playing time in this defense.