3 complex problems Commanders must fix before Wild Card game at Buccaneers

The Commanders have no margin for error in pursuit of playoff success.

Brian Robinson Jr. and K.J. Britt
Brian Robinson Jr. and K.J. Britt | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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Playing disciplined amid the playoff chaos

Through the first 10 games of 2024, the Washington Commanders committed just four turnovers. In the final seven, they gave up the ball 12 times.

That number is slightly inflated by the second game against the Philadelphia Eagles, in which the Commanders surrendered the ball five times, and still managed to win. But even allowing for that dramatic divisional success that all but guaranteed the Commanders' postseason spot, Washington has only played one clean game — with zero turnovers — among their last seven.

The Commanders have also become penalty-happy over the final month of the season. Through the first 12 weeks, they averaged six accepted penalties for 46 negative yards. Those are solid, slightly above-average numbers.

In the last five games, Washington has seen a massive uptick in penalties. During that time frame, they averaged eight penalties per game for 81 negative yards. It's an ongoing frustration that must be rectified in time for their Wild Card outing at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Far too many of those infringements were pre-snap motion calls on the offense, which made it difficult to sustain drives. The ever-lingering defensive holding or pass interference calls on the secondary allowed opponents to stay on the field and negate some key stops for Washington's defense.

It is not uncommon for teams that suffer injuries to accumulate more penalties later in the year as cohesiveness deteriorates. Regardless of the reasons, the Commanders cannot expect to give up free yards — or even worse, the ball — to the Buccaneers and come away with a win.

The Commanders have relied on their skill, resilience, and some luck to come into the playoffs on a high. Against Tampa Bay, they need more than that in pursuit of reaching the divisional round.

They need to play a complete game — something they haven’t done since beating up on the Tennessee Titans in the team's final game before their much-needed Week 13 bye. The Buccaneers will not be quite so easy.

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