The Washington Commanders’ defense shone in their Week 1 matchup, holding the New York Giants to 231 total yards. The unit also had a sturdy showing against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, but the three weeks in between the two games were concerning.
Washington’s defense surrendered over 350 total yards and at least 24 points from Week 2 to Week 5. The secondary has particularly struggled, conceding more than 250 passing yards in all three games, capped by a career-best 313 yards from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Against Los Angeles, Washington allowed only 10 points and held Justin Herbert to 166 yards, far below his season average to that point of 265.8 yards per game. The Commanders also did something they hadn’t done all season: force multiple turnovers.
A clutch forced fumble by safety Quan Martin and a deflected pass by defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton that led to an interception by Mike Sainristil stifled Los Angeles when it appeared primed to score.
Though the Commanders’ defense has flashed potential, there are some glaring areas where it can certainly improve.
Defending the Motion Offense
Pre-snap motion quickly proved to be an issue for the Commanders’ defense in their Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay put Dontayvion Wicks in motion on consecutive plays. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore would follow Wicks and give him cushion on an out route and a drag route, surrendering a pair of easy first downs.
This was only the beginning of Washington’s struggles against motion.
Atlanta racked up 328 of its 435 total yards while using motion last Sunday. The Falcons frequently put wide receiver Drake London, who had his best game of the season against Washington, in motion and targeted him.
The Commanders have allowed a league-high 11 pass plays of at least 15 yards while using motion, according to ESPN’s John Keim. Coach Dan Quinn attributes this to communication issues in the secondary and says there’s a pertinent need to eliminate “gray areas.”
Miscommunication, Busted Coverage, and Explosive Plays
Miscommunication has hurt the Commanders beyond opponents using motion, however.
Washington’s opponents have gained chunk yardage at among the highest rates in the league. The Commanders’ defense entered Week 4 with 20 pass plays of at least 15 yards allowed, tied for third-most in the NFL. That number rose to 28, the most in the league, after the Falcons game.
Perhaps no play better encapsulates this struggle than London’s long gain in the second quarter. The USC product picked up 43 yards on a double move and Lattimore was called for his league-high third holding call of the year.
The most backbreaking breakaway play of the day was likely running back Bijan Robinson’s 69-yard gain in the third quarter.
Robinson ran a wheel route out of the backfield and linebacker Bobby Wagner recognized it, but Wagner was caught in traffic in the middle of the field. By the time Penix got the ball to Robinson, Wagner was a step behind, allowing the star back to set Atlanta up in the red zone.
Covering Running Backs and Tight Ends
As evidenced by Robinson’s career-high 106 receiving yards in Week 4, effective receiving backs have thrived against the Commanders. Athletic tight ends have also benefited from the matchup.
Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft amassed 124 receiving yards in Week 2 against Washington – nearly 40 yards more than his previous career high. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts had 70 yards and a touchdown in Week 4.
The linebacker tandem of 35-year-old Wagner and Frankie Luvu has been exploited in pass coverage. Despite this, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and company have seemed hesitant to let their young linebackers see the field.
Jordan Magee, Kain Medrano, and Ale Kaho are all 25 years old or younger and certainly have better mobility than Wagner and Luvu. The trio may see some playing time in the near future if the starters continue to falter in coverage.
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