3 overreactions to Commanders’ Week 12 win over the Falcons

The Washington Commanders can smell the playoffs following their victory over the feisty Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

With rain pouring down from the Maryland sky, both teams rode their running games. When push came to shove, the Commanders won the time of possession battle and did just enough through the air and on defense to see out the win.

With the victory, Washington improved to 7-5. They’ve won six of seven after starting the campaign 1-4 and are in pole position to secure a playoff berth so long as they avoid a collapse over the remaining five games. In the process, they established serious cushion between Atlanta, who entered the weekend just a game and a half out of the playoffs, but now sit a distant 5-7 with five to play.

The Commanders needed this win in the worst way,  especially after the franchise disrespected Sean Taylor pregame, and fans are ecstatic. Let’s get into some overreactions — which may actually have some substance!–  from Washington’s latest win.

3 overreactions from Commanders thrilling win over the Falcons

3. Commanders have a top-five RB room in the NFL.

Can you name five running back committees that are superior to Washington’s Antonio Gibson-Brian Robinson tandem? The Browns have been the gold standard in this regard but Nick Chubb has taken over that backfield. Coming from a disgruntled Kareem Hunt fantasy owner, Hunt’s been useless all season.

The Cowboys probably have Washington beat with Zeke Elliott and Tony Pollard, and San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey-Elijah Mitchell duo is pretty special. The Packers have the potential with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Like the Browns with Hunt, though, Dillon’s been an afterthought in Green Bay. An argument can be made for the Bears’ duo of David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert, too.

Be honest. How many of those committees are definitively better than Robinson and Gibson? The fact their respective workloads fluctuated from week-to-week (Robinson is suddenly the No. 1 again after weeks of Gibson leading the backfield) keeps defenses guessing and is a testament to their rising stardom.

Regardless where you rank them, Robinson and Gibson are an ascending committee and should strike fear into the hearts of opponents. Gibson wasn’t even a focal point on Sunday, and the duo still combined to log 27 carries for 137 yards (5.07 yards per attempt) and 42 yards (and a TD) on four catches through the air.

Put some respect on their name.

2. Do whatever it takes to keep Daron Payne

Like every Commanders fan, we’ve been waxing poetic about Payne all season. If the campaign ended three weeks ago, Payne would’ve had a career year. Somehow, that doesn’t even contextualize the year he’s putting together.

Though quiet for most of Sunday’s win over Atlanta, Payne came through when it mattered most in the second half. No play was more important than his tipped pass on 2nd and 4 with the Falcons poised to score a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute. The batted ball landed right in the path of Kendall Fuller, who high-pointed the football to grab what proved to be the game-sealing interception.

If you opened Twitter after the turnover, fans had a clear message for the Commanders: pay Payne by any means necessary. While an overreaction to the game-winning play, it’s absolutely warranted given how he’s performed.

Through 12 games, the former first round pick’s already notched career-highs in tackles for loss, sacks, and passes defended. He’s also just one quarterback hit away from setting his personal best in that department.

Forget thinking rationally. Do whatever it takes to keep Payne. The Commanders’ biggest strength all year has been their defensive line. Don’t be foolish and trick yourself into thinking a combination of John Ridgeway and Phidarian Mathis can replicate what Payne does in the trenches.

Pay the man! Worry about the rest later.

1. Carson Wentz will start again in 2022

The Commanders won again with Taylor Heinicke under center, but we get the feeling the clock is ticking on Heinicke’s time as the starter. Ron Rivera didn’t exactly give a ringing endorsement of Heinicke’s performance, and understandably so, as Heinicke was really reckless with the football at times.

It happened early in the game, but Heinicke uncorked a needless shuffle pass before getting sacked. The throw barely qualified as a forward pass, or else the Falcons would’ve had a walk-in defensive touchdown. Beyond that, Heinicke also missed Terry McLaurin in the corner of the end zone with Washington trailing 7-10.

Near the end of the first half, Heinicke threw a pass into triple coverage that had no pass of being completed, even though he was looking McLaurin’s way. On the play, Heinicke had Curtis Samuel and Antonio Gibson WIDE open on drag routes. Either player could’ve gotten the requisite yardage to get into field goal rage.

And finally, Heinicke was lucky not to be picked in the second half when he floated a pass toward the sideline. The football hit the ground, but Heinicke’s lack of arm strength was on full-display on this misfire.

Wentz makes that throw in his sleep with his howitzer of an arm. If Heinicke keeps being this careless with the football, we’ll see Wentz again in 2022, especially with two huge divisional games against the Giants on deck.