Instant reactions to the Commanders’ gutting loss to the Titans

The Washington Commanders snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, as they dropped their fourth straight of the year to the Tennessee Titans at FedEx Field. With a quick turnaround against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, the Commanders had a chance to quickly make their way back to .500.

Well, that won’t be happening anymore. The Commanders’ season is quickly slipping away, as every other NFC East rival continues to win, while Washington continues to fall deeper into the bottom dwellers of the entire NFL.

It wasn’t all bad for the burgundy and gold today. Ultimately, though, the positives that come out of this are all for naught mostly. The reality is the Commanders are 1-4 and on a collision course to picking in the top five in the 2023 draft.

Without further bickering here are some reactions to yet another disappointing ending for the burgundy and gold.

Instant reactions to the Commanders’ fourth straight loss

Offense 

The Good 

• He may as well have a permanent place here every week but Terry McLaurin was spectacular today. He made catches in traffic, created valuable yards after the catch, and set the Commanders up at the 2-yard line with 19 seconds left after forcing a pass interference.

• Charles Leno is practically the only Commanders’ offensive lineman proving any pass protection. He allowed minimal pressure on the day, keeping Carson Wentz’s blindside protected.
• A quick shoutout is deserved for Brian Robinson Jr. Just a little over a month after being shot in the leg twice after being robbed at gunpoint, he had some key carries for Washington down the stretch. It is a shame they didn’t pull this one out for him.
• The Commanders patiently waited and Dyami Brown finally came through finally came through on his promise as a big play waiting to happen. He totaled over 100 yards on two catches, with each being hauled in for touchdowns. There are no moral victories in the NFL, but Brown showed the one thing this team doesn’t lack is weapons at the skill position.

The Bad 

• The goal line play-calling to end the game was absolutely horrendous. JD McKissic, a smaller framed back, was targeted twice. McLaurin, the guy you just paid over $20M AAV for that exact situation wasn’t targeted once. Neither was Cole Turner, the 6-foot-6 fifth-round pick selected for that exact situation too. Instead, the Commanders lined up in bunch sets, force-fed their scat-back, and even used McLaurin as the “rub” player on the interception.

• Andrew Norwell continues to be underwhelming for Washington. He allowed multiple pressures, and a sack, and had a key false start penalty. He looks slow and disinterested. With Ereck Flowers still on the market, the Commanders have to consider bringing him back because Norwell is atrociously awful right now.
• Nick Martin had multiple bad snaps today and was absolutely manhandled by Jeffrey Simmons on multiple occasions. Simmons does that to everyone so we’ll let that one slide, but those bad snaps are unacceptable.
• Carson Wentz was largely good today. He gave the Commanders a chance with some explosive plays down the field and balls that were perfectly placed between defenders. However, the final sequence just cannot happen. Yeah, the play-calling didn’t give him much of a chance, but he never once looked McLaurin’s way in the goal-to-go situation. McLaurin ran what appeared to be a corner route to the back right corner of the end zone, and he had a step on his man. Instead, Wentz tried to force it to McKissic over the middle underneath and was lucky to not be intercepted.

The offense was wildly inconsistent today. They were far too reliant on explosive plays and failed to sustain drives. And that last sequence is embarrassingly bad on every level from play-calling, the execution, and the decision-making by Carson Wentz. Every part of it was bad.

The Defense

The Good 

• Montez Sweat was spectacular today for Washington. He totaled two sacks, three tackles for losses, and four quarterback hits. After a relatively quiet start to the season, the 2019 first-round pick made his presence known today.
• Once again, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne deserve better. They each accounted for half a sack today, had a tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit. Both provided valuable push up front.
• Efe Obada and James Smith-Williams both stepped up today for the Commanders. Each had a sack on the day and multiple pressures. Until Chase Young returns, the Commanders will need that to continue.
• Darrick Forrest has taken advantage of his increased opportunity this year as the defense’s third safety. He has held his own in coverage to date for the Commanders. Benjamin St-Juste also most likely cemented himself as a starting outside corner today, as he was sticky in coverage all afternoon.
• Cole Holcomb was flying around this afternoon. He led the team in tackles, had a tackle for loss, and was good enough in coverage. After a rough start to the year, the fourth-year player seems to be finding his groove.

The Bad 

• Bobby McCain allowing that 60+ yard pass completion immediately after Washington took the lead cannot happen. It took the wind out of the sails of growing momentum for the team.
• Having to bench your highest-paid corner for poor play, isn’t great.
• Jon Bostic played sparingly but when he did, it served as a reminder of why he does play sparingly.

Overall the defense played solid. They gave the team a chance to win, the offense just did not oblige. However, at some point, it needs to come into question where this regime is headed. When the offense is good, the defense is undisciplined and poor. And it works in the other direction too. They routinely start poorly and haven’t gotten better in three years. The “culture” is better but the product sure isn’t.

Ultimately though, it seems the entire structure of the organization is never conducive to success. In the twenty-first century, the Commanders have had every type of coach: the disciplinarian, the franchise legend, the offensive guru, a former Super Bowl Champion with an innovative staff, another offensive guru, and now the “culture” guy. None have worked. So either the top will need to be cleaned thoroughly out, with one guy (you know who he is) being ousted or the franchise QB will need to be attained via the draft.

Until then, the Commanders are fighting a losing battle.