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4 things we learned in Commanders season-saving win over the Packers

By Jerry Trotta

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 23: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Commanders avoids a tackle by Adrian Amos #31 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half of the game at FedExField on October 23, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 23: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Commanders avoids a tackle by Adrian Amos #31 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half of the game at FedExField on October 23, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 13: William Jackson III #3 of the Washington Commanders looks on against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of the preseason game at FedExField on August 13, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 13: William Jackson III #3 of the Washington Commanders looks on against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of the preseason game at FedExField on August 13, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

2. The secondary is better without William Jackson III

We actually don’t mean this as a slight to Jackson. It hasn’t worked out for him in Washington and he deserves credit for how he went about his trade “request.” It’s not like the Commanders have an Elijah Moore situation on their hands. Jackson would simply prefer to have a new home by the deadline.

And you know what? Washington can afford to acquiesce to his preference based on what we’ve seen from the defense the last couple weeks. The Titans, Bears and Packers aren’t the gold standard of offense’s this season, but the secondary has performed markedly better with Jackson out of the lineup.

Jackson was benched in Week 5 and hasn’t played since due to a back injury. Claimed off waivers after the final round of roster cuts, Rachad Wildgoose has taken Jackson’s place in the starting lineup, albeit in the nickel with Benjamin St-Juste kicking back outside and has exceeded fans’ wildest expectations.

In the Week 6 win over Chicago, Wildgoose finished as Washington’s third-highest graded defender, via Pro Football Focus. In Weeks 5 and 6, Wildgoose allowed just one catch on three targets to go with seven tackles and a pass breakup. He added to his PBU tally on Sunday and likely graded out well despite a couple missed tackles in the second half.

The Commanders took some heat for adding more known commodities to fill out their roster, but Wildgoose has proven to be a diamond in the rough. All the more reason to move heaven and earth to trade Jackson before the deadline.

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