Marcus Mariota's success in 12 personnel
The Washington Commanders moved the football effectively on offense. It was a methodical approach from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Marcus Mariota, but fans were not expecting anything less.
There was one alignment, in particular, where Mariota was getting a lot of joy. The Commanders were dominating in 12 personnel, which consists of one running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers on the field. And perhaps unsurprisingly, the primary beneficiary was three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz.
The veteran tight end generated separation almost at will. Miami's linebackers are not great in coverage, which didn't go unnoticed by Kingsbury during his strategic planning for the clash. Mariota is adept at finding soft spots and working the middle of the field effectively. Ertz was his favorite target, finishing the game with four catches for 42 receiving yards.
There were times when Mariota got himself stuck in sticky situations. These came when his pass-catchers weren't getting open, and the offensive line could only hold up for so long. But when the Commanders asked him to make things happen with 12 personnel, he typically came through with the goods.
It's not the most enthralling way to move the chains. But it was effective thanks to Mariota.
Marcus Mariota's impressive first half
As previously mentioned, Marcus Mariota started the game well. He also managed to build on this positive momentum during an impressive first-half display.
Even though the Commanders only scored six points, Mariota was efficient. He got through his reads quickly and pushed the football downfield when required. There were several notable highlights to Jaylin Lane, Zach Ertz, and Deebo Samuel Sr., but converting red-zone opportunities into touchdowns proved challenging.
That wasn't all on Mariota. The Commanders were undone by needless penalties and concentration lapses at the business end of the field. But aside from that, it was a pleasing opening two quarters from Washington and its veteran signal-caller.
This was reflected in the stats. Mariota might not have been able to get the Commanders into the end zone, but he protected the football and took what Miami's defense gave him. He gave his playmakers a chance on almost every throw, and he deployed the scheme effectively.
- 75 percent completion (12/16)
- 119 passing yards
- 0 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 1 sack against
- 5 rushing yards (3 carries)
- 95.6 passer rating (ESPN)
The Dolphins' defense isn't exactly formidable, of course. Even so, the Commanders must have been thrilled with the way Mariota applied himself in the first half.