3 problems Commanders must solve before Week 7 vs. the Panthers

Commanders' defense must limit chunk plays

The Baltimore Ravens torched the Washington Commanders' defense throughout the game last week. This was a pre-game fear that came to fruition with concerning frequency.

They had seven plays which went for more than 20 yards. They had a host of other plays that went for more than 10. Six different players made those seven 20-plus-yard plays. The Commanders' defense often looked helpless against the Ravens’ passing attack.

Fortunately for Washington, the Carolina Panthers do not have players near the skill level of Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews. But they do have players who are comparable to Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor - two of those six players who blistered the Commanders' secondary.

Without being overly concerned about stopping dynamic runners like Jackson and Henry, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr should have his unit better prepared to stop those downfield crosses that doomed the Commanders against Baltimore. Still, Chuba Hubbard can make big plays out of the backfield. Diontae Johnson has been woefully inconsistent throughout his career, but he too can hurt a defense if he is not accounted for.

Last season, the Commanders allowed opposing offenses to get healthy against them. There were some bitter reminders of that in the Ravens game. That cannot continue if Dan Quinn's men want to meet ever-increasing expectations.

Washington allowed Andrews to score his first touchdown of the year. They allowed Flowers to top his career-best receiving yardage total in the first half. They clearly cannot allow the Panthers’ mediocre offensive weapons to have similar career days. Whitt and defensive passing game coordinator Jason Simmons must fix their leaky pass coverage. Andy Dalton is limited, but he can find his playmakers if given a chance to get into an early rhythm.

Confidence is high that Washington will do all of this and more against the Panthers. They should emerge with a 5-2 record. Then they can worry about Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.

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