Studs and duds: Brian Robinson powers Commanders to huge Week 12 win
By Jerry Trotta
The Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons’ Week 12 matchup didn’t generate the buzz of Cowboys-Giants or Bengals-Titans, but it quietly had one of the biggest playoff implications of any fixture in the Week 12 slate.
With rain pouring down at FedEx Field, both teams engaged in old-school smash-mouth football. When the dust settled, Washington pulled out a 19-13 victory on the back of a career performance from Brian Robinson, and a game-clinching interception from Kendall Fuller in the final minute of regulation.
The win served as a temporary deodorant for the botched Sean Taylor memorial, which was unveiled before kickoff on the 15th anniversary of Taylor’s passing. That memorial, by the way, was a mannequin with soccer cleats.
Now at 7-5 for the season the Commanders control their own destiny for the playoffs, which are suddenly a real possibility. As we do for every game, let’s jump into the Week 12 edition of Commanders studs and duds.
Commanders studs and duds: Brian Robinson powers Week 12 win
Stud: Jamin Davis
The development of Davis has been one of the seasons’ best storylines, and it continued on Sunday. With the Falcons driving on the game’s initial possession, Davis put an end to the drive with a great open field tackle on third down, forcing Atlanta to settle for a field goal. Another promising sign for Davis, who’s consistency has improved in leaps and bounds relative to his rookie season.
Davis made plays throughout the game, including another third down stop late in the second quarter. Davis finished second on the team in tackles behind Darrick Forrest and he should be one of the Commanders’ highest-graded players once Pro Football Focus releases their weekly grades.
Stud: Dyami Brown
Brown didn’t have a big game, but he made a huge reception on 3rd and 2 on Washington’s opening possession. The 2021 third-round pick laid out to make the grab. A few plays later, Taylor Heinicke hit Brian Robinson in the flat for a touchdown to put the Commanders in front 7-3 after the Falcons jumped out to a 3-0 lead. It’s great to see Brown contribute despite being buried on the depth chart.