A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders
Commanders links
Articles
The Athletic (paywall)
GM Adam Peters does things ‘the right way,’ and his Commanders are reaping the benefits
Though he missed New England’s first of six championships in the Belichick era, Peters was there for Nos. 2 and 3. His time in the “Patriots Way” led to a greater realization of a front office’s approach.
“We weren’t just building a roster in New England. We were building a roster for our head coach,” Pioli said during a phone interview. “Adam is building (Washington’s) roster with a clear understanding.”
Being privy to New England’s roster-building designs offered Peters a front row to evaluate the team’s hits and misses.
“We paid attention to the makeup part of the evaluation: who the person was,” Pioli said. “I think (Adam) knows that when we failed, we leaned too much into tools — height, weight, speed, just physical tools. Yes, a person has to have physical tools. Still, I think he learned early the importance of the guy who is a bit of a ham-and-egger fighting to be on the roster.”
Asked recently about this specific coach-GM relationship, Quinn responded, “Honestly, it’s been all I’d hoped for.”
Peters didn’t arrive last year hellbent on a playoff appearance this quickly. He understood Washington’s reality. Fans were desperate to see the three-time Super Bowl-winning franchise return to that lofty stratosphere, but the roster needed significant help. Peters didn’t press for immediate success but a sustainable path for him and his head coach.
He and Quinn watch practices together and discuss possible choices to aid the team without tension.
Peters can dine out on using the second overall selection in April’s NFL Draft on quarterback Jayden Daniels, the presumptive Offensive Rookie of the Year. That critical choice might have been one of the easiest. “What’s not to like about Jayden Daniels?” the GM cracked shortly after selecting the Heisman Trophy winner.
While Daniels’ outlandish performances rightfully have dominated headlines, Peters ensuring Quinn’s wants were heard and understood catalyzed this unfinished magical season.
Bullock’s Film Room
Playoff Preview: Buccaneers pass game
Previewing the Bucs pass game ahead of the Commanders playoff matchup against Tampa Bay
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has been playing at a high level this year and has spread the ball around to his various weapons that the Bucs have, but the obvious big threat is wide receiver Mike Evans. Evans was the seventh overall pick back in 2014 and has been an absolute stud ever since. On Sunday, he got to 1000 receiving yards on the season, which incredibly he has done every year of his career to date. He tied Jerry Rice’s record for 11 consecutive 1000 yards seasons, which is a phenomenal achievement.
The Commanders will have their hands full trying to defend Evans. The Bucs do a great job working looks for him against various forms of coverage. The Commanders ideally would like to play more man coverage to free up extra rushers to blitz, but Evans is very tough to guard one-on-one.
When teams commit to playing man coverage, the Bucs like to isolate Evans’ matchup. These two plays show the exact same idea, first in Week 1 against the Commanders and then more recently in Week 16 against the Cowboys. In both clips, Evans lines up to the left of the formation, while the other four eligible receivers all split out to the right. With four receivers on the right side, the defense has no choice but to slide over that way and try to prevent being overloaded to that side. What that does, however, is isolate Evans one-on-one, which is exactly what the Bucs want.
But it’s not just against man coverage that Evans thrives. As he’s gotten older, he’s become very savvy at finding ways to get open against all sorts of coverages. Credit must go to Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen too, who does a great job moving him around and finding ways to get him involved against various types of defenses.
Washington Post (paywall)
As pressure roils the NFL, the Commanders are playing with house money
For the Washington Commanders, this season of zero burdens doesn’t have to end any time soon, but it can’t be repeated.
As a Sunday night, prime-time, marquee matchup in the NFL playoffs approaches, remember not just that it hasn’t been like this around Washington in a long, long time. Remember that it won’t be like this for a long, long time to come.
Think of it this way: Whatever happens in the Commanders’ first-round playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’s difficult to imagine a Washington football fan waking up Monday morning in abject depression. What used to be a permanent, unavoidable state is now easily staved off.
Could the Bucs blow out the Commanders? Maybe. Might the Commanders lose a close one late? Absolutely.
But even if either of those possibilities becomes reality, the view from dawn Monday wouldn’t be doom. It would have to be, “Doesn’t the future look bright?”
These times are fleeting. This is the House Money Season, the Season of Zero Burdens. Enjoy.
[C]ircumstances will never be like this again. If there are more playoff appearances in Daniels’s future — and there will be — they will come with pulls and pressures different from the present.
Commanders.com
Commanders vs. Buccaneers preview
- Washington is 23-20 all-time in playoff contention.
- Washington is 6-4 all-time in the Wild Card Round, with their last win coming against Tampa Bay in 2005.
- Washington is 8-13 all-time in road playoff matchups.
- The Commanders and the Buccaneers have face off three times in the postseason. Washington has a 1-2 record against Tampa Bay in the postseason.
- Washington most recently faced off against Tampa Bay in the 2020 postseason where they fell 31-23 in the Wild Card Round.
- The last playoff win against Tampa Bay came in 2005 when Washington defeated the Buccaneers 17-10 in the Wild Card Round.
Commanders.com
Practice notes | Commanders ‘all hands on deck’ to prep for playoffs
When the Commanders make the trip to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round, they’ll be matching up against a team that owns one of the best offenses in football, has been to playoffs in the last four years and beat them in the season opener. The Commanders have grown since that 37-20 loss, winning 12 games for the first time since 1991 and possessing a top 10 offense and defense.
The Commanders are entering the postseason relatively healthy, and as kickoff inches closer, they intend on keeping it that way. Aside from Zach Ertz, Terry McLaurin, Dante Fowler and Clelin Ferrell, all of whom were out for veteran rest days, the rest of the roster participated in practice “on some level.” That includes cornerback Marshon Lattimore and center Tyler Biadasz, both of whom missed the season finale. It’s still early, but Quinn gave positive updates on both players.
“Biadasz is doing good,” Quinn said Monday. “Marshon was also doing well, ran today, so arrow was going up.”
While Lattimore had a distinct impact during Washington’s rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles, the four-time Pro Bowler has dealt with a hamstring issue since he was acquired via trade from the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 2. Lattimore was sidelined during the fourth quarter of the Eagles game and did not return in the 36-33 victory.
Quinn said Friday that Lattimore was “close” heading into Washington’s game with the Dallas Cowboys, and the cornerback was back to warming up with his teammates during practice. As long as things continue on their current trajectory, Lattimore should be available.
“He’s hitting all the markers up to this point,” Quinn said. “I anticipate that throughout the week, but tomorrow…specifically will be one that’s more [full] speed.”
Upcoming opponent
Bucs Nation
YaYa Diaby named NFC Defensive Player of the Week
The young man was in the Saints backfield often on Sunday.
The National Football League today announced that Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Yaya Diaby was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 18. It marks the first career Player of the Week honor for Diaby and the first for a Buccaneers edge rusher since Shaquil Barrett earned the award in Week 3 of the 2020 season.
In Tampa Bay’s division-clinching win over the New Orleans Saints, Diaby notched five tackles (four for loss), 1.0 sack and four quarterback hits. He’s 1-of-4 players this season with four-or-more tackles for loss and four-plus quarterback hits in a single game, joining Aidan Hutchinson (Week 2), Trey Hendrickson (Week 9) and Nick Bosa (Week 17). Diaby’s four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits each were the second-most across the NFL in Week 18, and the most among all NFC players.
Canal Street Chronicles
Interview with the Enemy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NJ: What is Tampa Bay’s most glaring offseason need, and who do you expect them to target in the upcoming NFL Draft?
EW: This answer could change depending on who you ask, but I believe their number one need in the offseason regardless of how this season may end is finding another impact edge rusher. Whether that be through free agency, trade or the draft, Tampa Bay needs to find a way to pressure the quarterback with just four guys much more than they have.
Really though you could pick a plethora of different options along the defense. I’d expect the Bucs 1st round pick to be someone along that side of the ball as they are in need of a bit of a re-tool there.
Podcasts & videos
A LIVE crossover episode with @JYarcho_BUCS and @DHarrison82 to preview the Bucs and Commanders Wild Card game? Yes, please! Join in on the fun at 9 p.m. ET!!https://t.co/rgGKY6gfcg
— Locked On Bucs (@LockedOnBucs) January 9, 2025
With @Sam4TR on a day of prep and Jayden Daniels making his playoff debut. Good talk. @ESPNRichmond https://t.co/xsr3PoegWU
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 9, 2025
️ We’re getting closer to Commanders-Bucs … and the latest Marshon Lattimore-Mike Evans tussle. @gregauman joins for chatter about the spicy CB-WR battle, run game comps, Baker cooking & Jayden Daniels’s growth since Week 1. Plus, injury updates. https://t.co/wwgDyIFmBw
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 9, 2025