3 problems the Commanders must fix before Week 9 game at NY Giants

The Washington Commanders enter this Sunday's divisional matchup with the New York Giants riding a two-game win streak, and with the euphoria of the miracle triumph over the Chicago Bears still fresh in their minds.

They sit in first place in the NFC East with the second-best record in the conference. Their point differential is also second-best in the NFC, trailing only the Detroit Lions.

Meanwhile, their opponents have lost three straight games and are in the NFC East’s cellar. Their point differential is second-worst in the conference, ahead of only the Carolina Panthers. Should be a mismatch, right?

Even so, there is not a single Commanders fan who is comfortable with this game. The Giants always seem to play their best against their rivals from D.C. This contest should be a blowout on paper. But on the field, it figures to be a typical Washington/New York nail-biter.

The Commanders needed to fix their disastrous early season kicking situation entering their first clash in Week 2. Enter Austin Seibert. Problem solved.

They needed to get the ball downfield to its wideouts instead of relying on short throws to the tight ends and running backs. Jayden Daniels still has room for growth in making quicker reads, but he seems to be getting better week by week and the downfield passing game is benefitting from his growing confidence.

The same applies to the third key to the Week 2 game. Washington’s pass rushers needed to contain Daniel Jones’ running. With quality linebackers like Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, they had success for the most part.

There have been injuries along the defensive front since then. Caleb Williams - another outstanding running quarterback - did make some big plays with his legs. Still, Washington seems to be improving in this area overall.

With those issues either resolved – or in the process of resolving – we’ll look at three other problems the Commanders need to fix to secure victory over the struggling G-Men.

Problems the Commanders must fix before Week 9 at NY Giants

Commanders must have concise plan for Giants' blitz packages

The New York Giants lead the league in sacks. They have 35 through eight games, five more than the second-place team.

Most of those sacks have come from their outstanding interior lineman Dexter Lawrence II - who is having an NFL Defensive Player of the Year-type season thus far - together with edge rushers Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari. Washington has to be ready for those players - especially the formidable nose tackle, who always gives the Commanders trouble.

But the Commanders cannot overcommit to stopping the Giants' best pass rushers because defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will dial up an array of blitzes to confuse the offensive line. That’s exactly what happened in the Week 2 game.

The Giants sacked Jayden Daniels five times. Not one of them came courtesy of the players mentioned above.

Instead, safety Jason Pinnock led the way with two sacks. Cornerback Dru Phillips also got in on the act, his only one of the year. Linebackers Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke also contributed one apiece. That’s five sacks coming from players who have only managed a total of three other sacks in New York’s other seven contests.

Daniels' ability to scramble can make up for the occasional breakdown. However, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and his coaches must have Washington’s offense better prepared to handle Bowen’s blitz packages.