4 fatal flaws the Commanders must rectify during their 2024 bye week
By James Dudko
Commanders must fix their run defense
Sometimes it's easy to get 2015 vibes about this Washington Commanders team. That vintage nine years ago also had an explosive offense capable of running up the score on anybody and earning a playoff berth.
The problem with Washington's squad during the 2015 campaign centered on the defense. More specifically, their inability to stop the run with any consistency whatsoever.
They were promptly run out of the postseason by the hardly run-heavy Green Bay Packers. They bullied Washington in the trenches, rushing for 141 yards and two touchdowns on the road to secure a memorable triumph.
This year's Commanders are headed for the same fate unless something can be done to fix a leaky run defense. Head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. are overseeing a group giving up 4.8 yards per carry. It's an unhealthy average that's the fourth-highest in the NFL. It'll also be a big problem in the postseason if Washington makes it that far.
The Commanders have also surrendered over 200 yards on the ground in two of their last six games. Counting those contests, this defense has allowed at least 100-plus rushing yards on all but three occasions this season.
Finding a remedy for the problem isn't easy. But make no mistake, Quinn's decision to bench former second-round pick Phidarian Mathis for journeyman nose tackle Carl Davis against the Tennesee Titans sent a message.
Coaches know the Commanders need bigger bodies in the trenches — linemen capable of absorbing double teams, filling gaps, and offering more pursuit lanes for linebackers and safeties to attack the run.
More internal solutions are in short supply while Jonathan Allen remains injured and faces an uncertain future. Nonetheless, Quinn and Whitt must make better use of the personnel they do have available to solve the biggest problem facing the Commanders.
Otherwise, their postseason title won't last long.