A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East and the NFL in general
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Jayden Daniels finds new ways to win against Browns
Breaking down Daniels performance and how he adapted to the Browns game plan
So the first two parts of the Browns’ game plan worked well. They stopped the run and shut down the read-option, and they took away the easy quick game passes that Daniels had thrived on. This set them up to try and execute the third part of their game plan. Once the Commanders got into third and long situations, the Browns wanted to heat up Daniels by bringing lots of pressure and seeing if he could make throws down the field with pressure in his face. They managed to sack him on the opening drive, but on the second drive, he made them pay for blitzing him.
On third and 13 on the Commanders’ second drive, the Browns call an aggressive blitz. They send six rushers, the front four and two extra defenders. The Commanders have a dagger concept to their left with Ertz running a corner-stop, or swirl route to the right. As Daniels drops back to pass, he recognizes that the line is overloaded to the right side. Brian Robinson does a good job picking up the first blitzer, but they have nobody available to pick up the second blitzer. That makes Daniels accountable for him. So Daniels takes off running, rolling out to his right around Robinson’s block to get to the edge.
Unlike in the opening few weeks of the season, Daniels doesn’t just instantly tuck the ball and run at this point. As he rolls out, he keeps his eyes down the field and spots Terry McLaurin working across the middle of the field trying to give him an option on the scramble drill. Daniels pulls the trigger and makes an extremely difficult throw on the run look like an effortless flick of the wrist. He launches it down the field and completes the pass to McLaurin for a 66-yard gain, unlucky that McLaurin is tripped up just short of the touchdown that the play deserved.
Daniels ability to avoid that pressure and create explosive plays showed another side of Daniels’ skill set. He’s thrived on schedule so far this season, executing the offense incredibly efficiently. But when the Browns set out to take away that ability to be efficient, he showed he had other ways to be productive too.
Washington Post (paywall)
Commanders’ defense shows what it can be when ‘arriving violently’
Porous to start the season, Washington’s defense finally clicked Sunday against the Browns as it delivered seven sacks and consistent pressure.
In Sunday’s 34-13 win against the Cleveland Browns, Whitt’s defense finally started to fit his vision, with a physical attack that forced turnovers, rattled Deshaun Watson and sacked him seven times.
“I definitely feel like we did that,” linebacker Bobby Wagner said afterward. “You know, we’re trying to get better. There’s still stuff that I feel like we can fix, and each week we just want to get better. I feel like we’re doing that.”
Here are all 7 of the Commanders’ sacks on Deshaun Watson: pic.twitter.com/pMQlR0P08M
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 7, 2024
Cleveland was almost helpless under the pressure. It converted 1 of 13 third-down attempts, averaged a mere 3.6 yards per play and was forced to punt seven times.
Washington Post (paywall)
Hail or Fail: Frankie Luvu and the Commanders feasted against Deshaun Watson
Washington sacked Watson seven times and limited Cleveland to one third-down conversion on 13 attempts in a blowout win.
Frankie Luvu
The former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers linebacker, who signed a three-year deal with Washington during the offseason, had a career day. It started on Cleveland’s opening possession, which Luvu ended by blowing past Browns offensive lineman Zak Zinter and getting just enough of D’Onta Foreman to stop the running back for no gain on fourth and one from the Washington 47-yard line. Luvu finished with seven tackles, a career-best 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the third quarter. He was the deserving recipient of a game ball from Coach Dan Quinn, after which the 28-year-old American Samoa native led his teammates in a traditional Siva Tau chant in the raucous winning locker room.
Explosive plays
Only three teams had fewer passing plays of 40 yards or more last season than the Commanders, who finished with five. With rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels at the helm, Washington has equaled that total in five games this season after recording two such plays against the Browns. On Washington’s second possession, Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin for a 66-yard gain on a perfect throw while scrambling to his right after avoiding a sack. Just before halftime, Daniels threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Dyami Brown. The Commanders’ explosive plays Sunday weren’t limited to the passing variety. Austin Ekeler’s 50-yard burst in the second quarter was Washington’s first run of at least 40 yards since 2020.
Commanders.com
Final thoughts | Quinn loved home field advantage at Northwest Stadium
Tackling has improved over the past two weeks.
There were several reasons why the defense struggled to start the season, but the number of missed tackles was one of the biggest issues for the unit. The past two weeks have been better, Quinn said, and it’s not a coincidence that the defense put together its best showings against the Browns and Cardinals.
“I think on the day, we might have been at four [missed tackles],” Quinn said. “And we had been in double digits in previous games.”
The improvements were evident in how little the Browns managed to move the ball in the first half. They had five three-and-outs in their first eight possessions, and the main reason they moved the ball enough to get in field goal range for their first points was because they started at Washington’s 43-yard line. Washington’s linebacker duo of Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, who accounted for 13 total stops, were the driving force that helped the team combine for 72 tackles — the team’s highest total all season.
“The more that we’re doing this, the better that tackling is becoming,” Quinn said.
They’ve improved to 14th in passing yards allowed, and while their allowed third-down conversion rate of 43.6% is still in the bottom half of the league, they’re 11th in the category over the last three weeks. They’ve also had the fourth most sacks per game in that same span.
The next step for the defense is creating more turnovers (they only have three so far this season), but Quinn believes more will come soon.
The Athletic (paywall)
Jayden Daniels shines again as Commanders beat floundering Browns: Key takeaways
Daniels’ final numbers were rather ordinary — he finished 14-of-25 passing for 238 yards with one TD and one interception — but don’t let that deceive you. The rookie quarterback kept the Browns off balance with his arm and legs.
He had 11 carries for 82 yards. His 320 combined yards are the most by a Commanders rookie quarterback since Robert Griffin III’s 348-yard debut in 2012.
Leading 7-3, the Commanders scored on five of their final six possessions of the first half. Daniels took some big hits, including one shortly before he exited up 34-6. The offense continued rolling up points regardless.
Perhaps the biggest change in Washington this season is the element of fun. Daniels’ electric style provides a spark, but it’s the wins that are putting smiles on the faces of holdovers like DT Jonathan Allen and special teams ace Jeremy Reaves.
The win occurred with a jubilant home crowd, hardly the norm in recent years for a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2005. Players like Daniels, Luvu and Wagner, as well as the coaching staff — none of them were burdened with those nightmares. They haven’t let the past creep into their approach and they have helped Washington get off to this dreamy start.
Riggo’s Rag
‘Franking the Form’ theory bolsters Commanders’ legitimacy in 2024
It’s been a remarkable start.
Week 2, the New York Giants. This would have been a blowout had Washington turned its countless red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. They’ve just secured a stunning upset win at the Seattle Seahawks, which is a notoriously intimidating atmosphere for opposing teams. Not bad, right?
Week 3, the Cincinnati Bengals. This put the Commanders on the map after decades in the proverbial wilderness. After comfortably beating the Carolina Panthers, they came within a whisker – a missed field goal from a botched ball placement – of beating the Baltimore Ravens before eventually going down in overtime.
Week 4, the Arizona Cardinals. This was a demolition job by Washington from start to finish. Jonathan Gannon’s men followed this up with a stunning victory at the San Francisco 49ers, who were missing a couple of key pieces but still boast a formidable roster.
That’s called franking the form.
Winning in the NFL is hard. Gaining four straight triumphs is even harder.
This is unchartered territory for the Commanders, who’ve already matched their win total through all of last season in just five games with Quinn leading the charge. It could all go wrong from here on out, but that seems unlikely looking at the dramatic culture shift across the organization since Josh Harris’ group assumed ownership.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders’ coaching renaissance sparks life into underperforming stars
This is an overlooked positive from their Week 5 success.
Here’s a potentially deep silver lining about this 2024 edition of the Commanders. Three borderline players – all second-teamers and drafted by Rivera in the first four rounds – made solid contributions versus the Browns.
Phidarian Mathis, whose roster spot was in question heading into the final cuts, was part of a rotation that shored up a major trouble spot for Washington’s defense in the first four weeks. He was very good at stuffing the inside running game that Cleveland tried to establish. He even deflected one of quarterback Deshaun Watson’s early passes.
Filling in for the injured Noah Brown, Dyami Brown was only targeted twice but he made the most of his chances. Early in the second half, he ran a nice out to convert a third down, extending the drive which ended in running back Jeremy McNichols’ short touchdown run. Earlier, the former third-round pick hauled in a beautiful deep ball from Daniels for a touchdown which put Washington up by 21, virtually ending the competitive portion of the game.
Converted defensive end Jamin Davis spelled Dante Fowler Jr. late in the contest and showed why he was a first-round draft pick in 2021. He demonstrated his speed by not allowing Watson to turn the corner on a scramble. The Kentucky product then stuffed D’Onta Foreman in the middle of the line for no gain. These came on consecutive plays, too.
Pro Football Focus
Statistical Review of NFL Week 5: Commanders keep rolling behind Jayden Daniels
Washington Commanders 34, Cleveland Browns 13
Upcoming opponent
Baltimore Beatdown
Ravens Injury Updates: Marlon Humphrey in walking boot; Harty expected to return after missing Week 5
Injury updates after the Ravens’ Week 5 game against the Cincinnati Bengals
Following the game there were a few concerns regarding injury. None more so than cornerback Marlon Humphrey who was spotted in a walking boot in the locker room following the Ravens’ overtime win. Harbaugh didn’t directly answer on Humphrey’s status but sounded optimistic.
“Yeah, these are physical, tough games with the turf and all that,” Harbaugh answered. “Don’t want to make any promises but I think we’re in good shape.”
An absence that impacted the game on Sunday was return specialist Deonte Harty being ruled out after a late injury cropped up on Friday. Harbaugh was asked if he would return this week.
“Yeah, that just kind of snuck up on us there but that kind of stuff happens in this league so I think yes, but again, we’ll hope for the best,” Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh also shared starting left guard Andrew Vorhees appears ripe for return but the team will consider keeping Patrick Mekari as the starter after two solid games from him at the position.
Baltimore Beatdown
Ravens vs. Bengals Week 5 stock report
Marcus Williams, S
It’s been quite the rough start to the year for Williams who the Ravens signed to a 5-year, $70 million contract before the 2022 season. In the first few games of that season, Williams looked like a premier safety, making plays all over the field. However, injuries took their toll on Williams who has struggled to stay healthy the past two seasons. Now, finally healthy, Williams is somehow looking worse than he was last year when he was playing with one arm as a result of a pec injury he suffered earlier in the season. PFF currently has Williams graded as the worst safety in the NFL, validating the eye test Ravens fans have seen through five weeks.
Brandon Stephens, CB
Stephens had a breakout season in 2023, establishing himself as a borderline lockdown cornerback throughout the previous year. This season has been a different story. Stephens has been picked on all year and has let up a lot of yards. Prior concerns about Stephens not being able to locate the football have resurfaced as opposing quarterbacks have been exploiting him on back shoulder throws. Stephens has drawn some tough receiver assignments but needs to be better if the Ravens defense is to improve.
Linebackers
While the Ravens were torched across the field on Sunday, the defense has particularly struggled to shrink the middle of the field for opponents. The Ravens are asking a lot from Roquan Smith on defense right now. During the Buffalo game, Zach Orr pivoted to a dime defense that gave QB Josh Allen issues. While it was successful against Buffalo’s subpar receiving unit, it was quickly picked apart by Burrow who found success across the middle of the field and on slant routes, particularly in the redzone. The Ravens clearly don’t trust Trenton Simpson in pass coverage, and as a result are moving S Kyle Hamilton into his spot on passing downs. Orr is putting Hamilton and Smith in a tough spot, but it doesn’t change the fact that they’ve allowed too many completions across the middle of the field and for opposing quarterbacks to find easy throwing windows.
Podcasts & videos
DOWN Go The Browns! + Big Fletch’s Heavyweight Champion | Booth Review | Washington Commanders
Browns-Commanders post game recap is up! #RaiseHail @SaintWah & @LetMualTellit recap the Commanders 34-13 win to go to 4-1 on the latest @TraporDive episode.
– https://t.co/LjQetKXPephttps://t.co/yIjl4QTZk1
— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) October 7, 2024
Episode 925 – #CLEvsWAS postgame. Washington is 4-1 for the first time since 2008. The #Commanders are in first place in the NFC East & are the No. 2 team in the NFC. Jayden Daniels & the offense are outstanding. The defense is coming around. Life is good.https://t.co/2hqEnXE6HI
— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) October 7, 2024
Jayden Daniels, Frankie Luvu and Washington Commanders Dominate Deshaun Watson and Cleveland Browns
Best Defensive Performance This Season! | Commanders vs Browns Recap | KUWTC S4E22
NFC East links
Bleeding Green Nation
The Eagles’ bye week could have gone better but hope remains
Philadelphia didn’t get any help in the division on Sunday.
The good part about the Philadelphia Eagles’ bye week Sunday was that the Birds were unable to hurt you by losing.
The bad news is that all of their division rivals decided to hurt you by winning their games.
- The Washington Commanders blew out the Cleveland Browns, 34 to 13. Jayden Daniels didn’t even have his best game this season but, big picture, he looks like a legitimate threat early on. The Commanders lead the league in points scored, with eight more than the next closest team (the Baltimore Ravens). They also rank third in point differential. With just how good they’ve been offensively, regression is probably coming for Washington at some point. For now, though, they’re legitimately one of the best teams in the NFL. Who would’ve thought?
- The New York Giants secured a win over the Seattle Seahawks with late game heroics, 29 to 20. Facing 4th-and-4 with 1:05 on the clock, the Seahawks opted to attempt a game-tying field goal from 47 yards out. The G-Men blocked the kick and returned it for six to give them a two-possession lead. But it’s not just like the Giants got totally lucky in Seattle. They outgained their opponent, 420 to 333. New York also overcame a 14-point swing on a play where a 4th-and-goal run from the half-yard line resulted not in a touchdown but instead a fumble that was recovered 102 yards for a Seahawks score. And they won despite notably missing their top wide receiver (Malik Nabers) and leading rusher (Devin Singletary). The Giants have two wins from their last three games and all of their losses their season have come to quality opponents: the undefeated Minnesota Vikings, the aforementioned Commanders, and Dallas. Speaking of the devil …
- The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20 to 17. It sure wasn’t pretty; Dak Prescott turned the ball over three times, including twice in the red zone (who does he think he is, Jalen Hurts? Sorry.) But Prescott ultimately did lead a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to give the Cowboys a three-point lead with just 20 seconds remaining in the game.
And so the NFC East standings now look like this:
- Washington Commanders: 4-1
- Dallas Cowboys: 3-2
- Philadelphia Eagles: 2-2
- New York Giants: 2-3
NFL league links
Articles
NFL.com
Saints QB Derek Carr exits Monday night loss to Chiefs early with oblique injury
Derek Carr’s Monday night outing ended with just more than six minutes of game time remaining.
Carr left to the locker room with an oblique injury during his New Orleans Saints’ 26-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Carr, who simply answered “not good” when asked how he was feeling following the game, said he would have an MRI on Tuesday.
NFL.com
Buccaneers relocating to New Orleans ahead of Saints game as Hurricane Milton increases intensity
As Hurricane Milton picks up steam in the Gulf of Mexico, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading to New Orleans early in advance of their Week 6 matchup.
The Bucs announced Monday that in advance of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall, the club will depart Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday morning, relocating operations to New Orleans for the remainder of the week.