Instant reactions to the Commanders embarrassing Week 3 loss

Unfortunately, we have to unpack the Washington Commanders’ no-good, very bad day against their division rival, Philadelphia Eagles. Washington was completely outclassed and outmatched today in the blowout loss.

With the Cowboys on deck, some serious soul searching is needed to be had by everyone, including the coaching staff. If not, this season could get out of hand in a hurry.

The entirety of the operation was inexcusably incompetent today, they failed miserably at the keys to beating the Eagles. So usually, this is broken down into positives and negatives. Not today. I’ll go ahead and give you a few silver linings if you are into that kind of thing. No moral victories were had today, however.

Benjamin St-Juste was solid today, breaking up 3 passes. Jamin Davis looks more confident and poised, as nudges forward in his development, he had 2 sacks, and a tackle for loss. His speed was evident for the defense. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne also generated some push but to no avail most of the time.

Other than that, and some meaningless yards from the always reliable Terry McLaurin in mop-up time, it was bad today for the Burgundy & Gold. Here are some instant reactions.

Instant Reactions to the Commanders Week 3 loss to the Eagles

Offense

• The offensive line is noticeably worse than it was last year, especially in pass protection. Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner have struggled to acclimate, Sam Cosmi is still a bit raw, Wes Schweitzer was rough at the center, and even Charles Leno isn’t as sharp. John Matsko is one of the best in the business, so I’d expect this to improve, but they were bad today. Not all 9 of the sacks were on them but they have to be better.
• The Commanders got onboard the downward slope of the Carson Wentz experience today. And the roller coaster never went back up. Wentz was inaccurate, poor at managing the pocket, his internal clock failed, and he looked flustered at all times. Up until today, Wentz has been an overall positive for the Burgundy & Gold. Not today. Wentz was completely outplayed by Jalen Hurts today, who was confident, poised, and accurate.

• The coaching staff’s inability to manufacture catches for Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson in the first half is perplexing. That makes it three straight weeks that neither are featured until the second half. And today the game was over at halftime. Scott Turner has to start featuring these two earlier in the game.
• Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson both had costly drops today. Things really are rough when those two show up in this category.
• This makes it the second week in a row that the offense came out of the gates looking utterly incompetent. This offense has far too much talent for that to have an excuse to become a trend.

Defense

• The lack of playmakers the Commanders have on defense was very evident in the last drive of the first half. Devonta Smith on went above the rim to secure a catch in traffic. Once in double coverage over Kendall Fuller and Bobby McCain, and then over Fuller again for a touchdown. The Commanders were close to making plays, but the better player won both times.
• The defensive line also failed to make any game-changing plays as well. They get close, sometimes generate pressure, but rarely finish the play, force a fumble or force a poor throw. Call it the defense of almosts.
• On the last drive of the first half, Cole Holcomb oddly allowed AJ Brown to cut back up field and slowed up before Brown burst by him for a big gain. Maybe Holcomb expected help, or maybe he wasn’t confident in making the tackle, but that appeared to be a complete lack of effort from Holcomb that helped lead to the Eagles taking a commanding 24-0 lead at halftime.

• Rachad Wildgoose had multiple penalties today for the Commanders, as he had an increased role due to William Jackson III’s injury. The secondary depth was a problem in the preseason, and it showed today.
• The defense was improved today, and if the offense had a pulse today could’ve given the team a fair shot to win. It still isn’t perfect nor good for that matter, but they were, at least, improved. However, the lack of playmakers is very concerning, and may ultimately cap this units ceiling.

Special Teams

• Tress Way may have been the team’s best player today. No, that is not hyperbole. After all, midway through the third quarter he had more touches than Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson combined! Way is still elite.