5 winners (and 2 losers) from Commanders' success vs. Titans in Week 13
By Dean Jones
There was an enormous amount of pressure on the Washington Commanders heading into their Week 13 game against the Tennessee Titans. They'd lost three straight and saw their playoff cushion evaporate for the seventh seed. Another loss would have come with grave consequences attached.
Head coach Dan Quinn was pleased with the response from his players. They remained resolute in the face of adversity and challenged each other to get out of this concerning slump. What followed was another dominant effort to get themselves back to winning ways.
The Commanders got off to a blistering start. They were 28-0 ahead in the second quarter after a sensational effort in all three phases. There was a little lull, but Quinn's men managed to see out the contest in comfortable fashion for their eighth victory of the campaign.
To say this put everyone at ease would be an understatement. The Commanders turned in a professional performance to easily dispose of the Titans. That hasn't cemented their playoff hopes, but it provides confidence they can kick on after the bye and secure their postseason berth.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, there are five winners and two losers from Washington's impressive triumph at Northwest Stadium.
Winners and losers from Commanders' success vs. the Titans
Winner No. 1
Terry McLaurin - Commanders WR
Much was made throughout the week about Terry McLaurin's usage. It came as no surprise to see Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury get his most prolific pass-catcher involved early against the Tennessee Titans.
The Commanders blazed a trail right out of the gate to leave the Titans shell-shocked. McLaurin was at the heart of everything good in the passing game, bringing in eight receptions from as many targets for 73 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
This is the sort of production McLaurin is capable of when given the opportunity. The Commanders aren't blessed with too much consistency aside from the Pro Bowler in the passing game. They need to keep making the former Ohio State star the focal point to meet some raised expectations.
If McLaurin is firing, it makes life easier for everybody.
The coverage slides to him, giving others more space to do damage. Opposing defenses cannot stack the box for fear of getting burned by the wideout, who looks on course for a career-high in receiving yards to go along with his record nine scores through 12 games.