Studs and duds: Brian Robinson powers Commanders to huge Week 12 win

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.

Dud: Interior defensive line/run defense

The Commanders had no answer for Marcus Mariota on the ground. Early in the second quarter, Mariota had four rushes for 37 yards; over nine yards per clip. At that same point, Mariota had just 32 passing yards. For the game, Mariota, Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson and Caleb Huntley combined for 167 rushing yards on 5.8 YPC.

On Atlanta’s second scoring drive, Washington allowed 60 rushing yards; their second-highest for any drive in 11 games this season. It’s not often opposing teams create gaping holes against Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, but Sunday was a glaring outlier in that regard.

To their credit, Allen and Payne (and Montez Sweat) came alive when the Commanders needed them most in the second half, but it was pretty alarming to see Atlanta gash this front on the ground the way they did.

Stud: Brian Robinson

You knew we’d get to BRob eventually. All of a sudden, Robinson is starting to find his footing in the NFL. Even when Robinson isn’t ripping off big runs, his punishing style of running goes a long way towards exhausting the defense. Much like Derrick Henry and other physical backs, defenders should know better than to go high to tackle Robinson. This defender will think twice the next time he meets BRob in the open field.

Gets better every time.

Robinson notched career-highs in scrimmage yards and rushing yards. He was a catalyst in the win and seems to be coming into his own. The rookie ripped off at least five highlight-reel-worthy runs. He bounced off tacklers all game.

Dud: Christian Holmes

Holmes held up well in coverage in his first career start, but he committed a costly facemask after a 15-yard run from Cordarrelle Patterson. Knocking on the door, the Falcons were granted half the distance, and they fittingly capitalized (often the case with penalties) in the form of a Mariota touchdown pass to MyCole Pruitt.

This will serve as a learning moment for Holmes, who’ll need to tackle with more discipline to earn playing time in the secondary once Benjamin St-Juste returns to the lineup. Never a good time for a facemask, but this one put Washington’s already-reeling defense with its back against the wall in the red zone.

Stud: Jonathan Allen

Even when his impact isn’t felt, Allen is still capable of delivering moments of brilliance. One of those came before the end of the first half when Allen shed his blocker and wrapped up Patterson (with one arm) near midfield on 4th and 1.

It was the exact stand Washington needed, though Taylor Heinicke gave the ball right back with an interception. Talk about blowing an opportunity to take a lead before halftime. Luckily, Younghoe Koo missed a 58-yard field goal as time expired.

Dud: Taylor Heinicke

Heinicke qualified as a stud and dud on Sunday.

Trailing 7-10, Heinicke missed an open Terry McLaurin in the corner of the end zone, forcing Washington to settle for a field goal. Later in the first half, Heinicke, seemingly pressing to get into field goal range, threw an awful-looking pick intended for McLaurin into a flock of Falcons defenders. Curtis Samuel had no defender within his vicinity and likely would’ve got the Commanders into field goal range.

To open the second half, Heinicke floated a pass to the sidelines on 3rd and 15 — again intended for McLaurin — and was lucky not to be picked Passes to the sideline require velocity to prevent defenders from breaking back to the ball. Heinicke can’t be making these mistakes if he wants to keep the starting job.

Stud: Tress Way

Just put Tress Way in the Pro Bowl already. Coming into the game leading all punters in net yards and raking second in punts downed inside the 20, Way executed a picture-perfect punt in the third quarter that pinned Atlanta deep in its own territory. Wouldn’t you know it, the Falcons went three and out on the drive.

Punters don’t get much respect around the NFL, but Way is as good as they come, and Washington fans cherish what he brings to the team.

Stud: John Bates

Any time you catch a go-ahead touchdown, you deserve a stud recognition. The score was the second of Bates’ career after he caught one as a rookie in 2021.

Dud: Joey Slye

Slye’s been so good this season — he was instrumental in Washington’s win in Philadelphia — but missing extra points are a big no-no, and he did exactly that after Bates’ go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. As thrilling as it is to watch Slye bang in field goals from distance, he can’t be missing point-afters. Hopefully, this was his last miss of the season. It’s no secret games are lost by missing these kicks, and the Commanders had to sweat this one out in large part due to Slye’s miscue.

Stud: Kendall Fuller

Fuller started the Week 11 romp of Houston with a pick-six, and he closed the Commanders’ Week 12 win over Atlanta with a pick. Say what you will about being in the right place at the right time, but Fuller high-pointing the football was crucial, as it allowed him to protect the ball from a nearby Falcons receiver. Give Daron Payne a ton of credit for getting a hand on the pass. This play doesn’t happen without him.

Ballgame. Left hand up!