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5 Commanders reality checks for Week 15 against the NY Giants

By Tim Payne

Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera reacts to a call during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera reacts to a call during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

3. The Reality Is, the Center position is key.

With Chase Roullier and Tyler Larsen out for the season, Washington is once again in the unenviable position of playing extreme depth players at center. Whether Nick Martin or Wes Schweitzer gets the nod for Sunday — it’s looking like it’ll be Schweitzer — it will be imperative that Washington gets a professional game out of the center position.

There’s not enough margin between these two teams to be able to overcome dramatic botches like missed slide protections and errant snaps. The Commanders need to avoid the sheer quantity of offensive mistakes that derailed them in New York two weeks ago, and one of the key vulnerabilities there is the shaky center position.

My hope is that Schweitzer gets the start, as I think he is the better run blocker and more athletic player than Martin. Neither is a plus pass protector, but it felt like the line really struggled to communicate when Martin was in at center. If Schweitzer cleans up his snaps, he offers a clear upgrade relative to Martin.

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