3 changes Commanders' coaching staff must consider in Week 8 vs. Bears
The top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft going head-to-head may turn out to be something different altogether. The Washington Commanders might get the chance to prove that they are much more than a one-man show under the new regime against the Chicago Bears.
Washington has more talent than most people realize. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will be a star before long. But even without Jayden Daniels potentially, it's a game the Commanders can win if Dan Quinn adjusts accordingly.
The Commanders need to change their approach if Daniels can't go. Despite their encouraging performance versus the lowly Carolina Panthers, Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense has still been shredded several times this year when the opposition is more accomplished.
If they can shore up some things and squeak a win, even if it comes without Daniels, the Commanders will have proven themselves to not only likely be a playoff team but an outfit that could make some noise in the postseason.
With this in mind, here are three changes Washington's coaching staff must consider in Week 8.
Changes the Commanders' coaching staff must consider in Week 8
Commanders must increase run dependency
Marcus Mariota dominated against the Panthers last week. Despite Jayden Daniels being an early-season NFL MVP candidate, the veteran came in and performed well after some early jitters. He may be one of the top backups out there.
It was another fabulous move from general manager Adam Peters. One could even make the argument that Mariota has never had a good team around him and a system designed to his abilities until now.
But make no mistake, the Washington Commanders are a running football team. They are currently third in rushing yards per game, behind only the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens. This is no time to get cute.
A lot of the knocks against Kliff Kingsbury going into this season, as everyone is aware, was that he has failed to make changes. That the play-caller didn't have the proper counters when teams began getting familiar with his schematic concepts. He's alleviated these fears in no uncertain terms so far.
With the three-headed running back monster running the rock the way they are right now, the ground game should once more be front and center. Whether it's Daniels or Mariota under center, Washington's run dependency must increase in Week 8.