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Articles
The Athletic (paywall)
Commanders to be without CB Marshon Lattimore vs. Falcons as hamstring injury lingers
Lattimore did not practice this week as the 10-5 Commanders prepared for the Falcons. With a victory on “Sunday Night Football,” Washington would clinch its first playoff berth since 2020 and notch an 11-win season for the first time since 1991.
Lattimore previously missed the initial four games after the Commanders acquired him from the New Orleans Saints at the Nov. 5 trade deadline. The 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year made his Washington debut on Nov. 15 against his former team. The following week, he exited in the fourth quarter during Washington’s 36-33 comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Asked about Lattimore’s status, coach Dan Quinn’s response lumped in other players absent from Friday’s practice. “For those guys, it seems hard for them to make it all the way back” for Sunday, Quinn said.
Washington also ruled out right tackle Andrew Wylie (groin), wide receiver Dyami Brown (hamstring), linebacker Jordan Magee (hamstring) and safety Tyler Owens (ankle).
Washington Post (paywall)
Marcus Mariota confronted his anxiety, then found peace in Washington
No longer a perfectionist, the Commanders’ veteran quarterback is offering true life experience as Jayden Daniels’s backup.
In his office, Smith told Mariota he was benched. Mariota, who became a father the day before, said he was going back to Las Vegas. Both men were hurt and angry, and the conversation became so emotional that even two years later they each remembered it in somber tones.
“It was such an uncomfortable situation for me,” Mariota said. “Naturally, I’ve always been such a people-pleaser, and … [in the moment] you feel like you’re not only a failure to yourself but a failure to the coaches, to the people that believed in you to be there.”
Now Mariota sees it as a watershed moment. He started grappling with the costs of stoicism and perfectionism and “grew up a lot.” He learned more about his emotions and became more willing to be vulnerable. He says he has recaptured his love for the game as a backup for the Washington Commanders, and he has channeled the emotions from his hard-earned scars into helping others, including star rookie Jayden Daniels.
On Sunday, in prime time, the Commanders can clinch a playoff spot in Mariota’s first game against the Falcons since he had to confront a difficult, human truth.
Commanders.com
Three keys to Washington earning a playoff spot against Atlanta
1. Contain Bijan Robinson.
Though the Commanders’ run defense has improved since in the second half of the season, it suffered a setback of sorts against Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley, who leads the NFL in rushing yards, had 150 yards on 29 carries and led a 211-yard day from the Eagles’ offense.
Of course, that does require some context. While Barkley was exceptional in the first quarter with 109 yards, he wasn’t for the rest of the game. He had 41 yards for the rest of the game following his 68-yard touchdown. Still, the Commanders have given up the fourth most rushing yards per game this season, so it’s still considered a weak spot for the unit.
The Commanders will need more of the latter performance against Robinson, who has 1,196 yards and 10 touchdowns on 259 carries. He was one of the main driving forces behind the Falcons blowing out the New York Giants with two scores. He has the second-highest offensive for his position from Pro Football Focus and the seventh-most yards after contact.
Audacity
Charles Davis not certain Kliff Kingsbury wants to be a head coach again
“What would be interesting is if Kliff is interested and, and I think he would be as an outsider, I wouldn’t be surprised if he were interested in being an OC there, and not necessarily a head coach,” Davis said. “This is the most fun Kliff’s had in a long time, I don’t think there’s any question about it, because this is what his love is; his love is coaching up the players, drawing up plays, scheming people open. Being a head coach comes with a whole lot of other stuff that after a while can be an onerous chore, so I don’t know that he necessarily is seeking it out.”
Upcoming opponent
The Falcoholic
How the Falcons can move one step closer to the playoffs
In control of their destiny with two games remaining, Atlanta aims to capitalize on a golden opportunity.
Constraining the Rookie Phenom
Daniels is already proving to be one of the toughest quarterbacks to contain. His command in the pocket, poise under pressure, anticipation throws, and deep ball accuracy are exceptional. Unlike most rookie quarterbacks, he doesn’t get rattled by the blitz. According to Pro Football Focus, Daniels has completed 65.6% of his passes with ten touchdowns and two interceptions when blitzed.
As much success Jimmy Lake has had dialing up blitzes recently, it would be wise to be more calculated in scheming up pressures to avoid a repeat of the debacle in Minnesota where Sam Darnold threw five touchdowns. Running more simulated pressures with Kaden Elliss leading the charge could be more effective in keeping Daniels in the pocket and limiting his ability to scramble.
The Falcons have experienced edge defenders in Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter who can maintain rush discipline and not give clear lanes to Daniels, though they have not always done so consistently this season. Arnold Ebiketie has improved on converting speed to power to his rushes to collapse pockets. If they can stay balanced with their rush plan or have one edge defender drop into coverage on simulated rushes, Daniels won’t be able to escape the pocket as easily to produce chunk plays.
Forcing the second overall pick to throw between the numbers is another sensible strategy to make him uncomfortable. Six of his eight interceptions have come from throwing in between the numbers, per Pro Football Focus. That includes three interceptions on passes between 11 and 20 yards.
By keeping him in the pocket and forcing him to throw toward the middle of the field more than usual, Atlanta’s defense can do enough to prevent him from putting on another sensational performance. That would likely involve another big game from Jessie Bates, who continues to make plays across the field and is always lurking over the middle. It also means a concentrated plan to contain one of the league’s most dangerous wide receivers.
Podcasts & videos
Jamison Crowder + Tim Hightower on PERSEVERANCE and the FALCONS | Next Man Up | Commanders | NFL
Big game and everyone knows it. New pod is up https://t.co/sKrMO8TKZP
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 27, 2024
With @RealBramW discussing Jayden Daniels: how high does he rank right now? Big game atmosphere for Sunday. @ESPNRichmond https://t.co/S8ELti4xxp
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 27, 2024
Episode 981 – #ATLvsWAS preview. A chance at 11 wins for the first time since 1991.
– Kliff Kingsbury raves about Jayden Daniels
– Jon Allen likely back
– Marshon Lattimore & Andrew Wylie out?
– how will Commanders do vs. Penix & Bijan?
– Rhyming Keys!https://t.co/P2wKxY0Wn4— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) December 27, 2024
Photos
Commanders.com
PHOTOS | A primetime home finale
Check out the top photos of the Washington Commanders prepping for their Week 18 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
