Commanders must load up to stop Eagles RB Saquon Barkley in Week 11

The Washington Commanders already know about the threat posed by Saquon Barkley. He has a 5-3-1 record against them after rushing for 794 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games since joining the league as the No. 2 pick.

Ominous history isn't the only thing that should be worrying the Commanders ahead of renewing acquaintances with Barkley in Week 11. Head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will also be concerned about how a run defense allowing 4.8 yards per carry will stand up to Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

Former New York Giants running back Barkley is the workhorse powering an Eagles rushing attack that's tallied 1,585 yards and 4.9 yards per carry. Both numbers are second only to the Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry-led Baltimore Ravens.

The numbers suggest the Commanders are in trouble. However, Quinn's inside knowledge and positive track record can form the basis of a plan to keep Barkley under wraps.

Commanders need to fill every gap to eliminate cutback runs

Barkley loves a cutback run, especially one made possible by a jump cut. Taking away these running lanes is only possible if the Commanders fill every gap upfront.

Stacking the box with a six-man line is the best way to do it. Quinn and Whitt can stack outside linebackers Frankie Luvu and Mykal Walker on each end. Their positions should complement four perfectly spaced defensive linemen.

In other words, defensive ends need to play on the outside shoulders of offensive tackles where they can fill the C-gap or slant inside into the B-gap. Defensive tackles should be able to play between the guards and center in the A gaps.

Getting a hat in every gap up front will take away the cutback lanes for Barkley. It will also let middle linebacker Bobby Wagner stay free to chase down running plays.

Wagner can lead the downhill charge that will be vital to stopping Barkley.

Commanders must play downhill versus the run

Oftentimes, defenses will string running plays laterally toward the sideline, but that's a risky proposition against cutback king Barkley. Better for the Commanders to play downhill and swarm on him before he makes his cut.

It's something Quinn's lighter and active defensive fronts for the Dallas Cowboys have done successfully against Barkley, as Commanders' senior writer Zach Selby detailed:

"In the four games that Quinn had to prepare for Barkley with the Cowboys, Barkley was held to 50 rushing yards or less in three of them with the only exception being in Week 3 of the 2022 season, when he rushed for 81 yards on 14 carries. The Giants lost all four games."

- Zach Selby via Commanders.com

Swarming on Barkley early in plays will be easier if the Commanders load their defensive fronts with six bodies. Those on the ends of the line can set the edges and deny Barkley the big plays he often creates on outside runs, like this 55-yarder against the Giants in Week 7.

Notice how the Giants presented a soft front. Just four down linemen. Nobody is aligned outside the left tackle. The Commanders can't offer the edge in the same way.

Nor should they be afraid to go big on big.

Commanders should use big personnel

Quinn and Whitt must match up with the Eagles' bulk and power at the heart of the trenches. Fortunately, the Commanders can counter by creating monster fronts with multiple defensive tackles on the field together.

Sheldon Day, who stood up to the run against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10, can share the field with Daron Payne and Phidarian Mathis or rookie Johnny Newton. Having three members of this group joined by defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr., who's performing well against the run, while Luvu and Dante Fowler Jr. stand up on the edges, will make the Commanders tough to move on the ground.

Add Wagner and dynamic safety Jeremy Chinn behind the front, and the Commanders will be equipped to reset the line of scrimmage on early downs. That's going to be important because Barkley has taken 111 of his 171 carries on first down.

The Eagles love to set a tone early by bullying teams in the pits, so the Commanders must stand firm in those initial tests of strength. If they can do that and stop Barkley from going against the grain, Washington's defense can spark a vital upset.

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