The Washington Commanders' defense needed a good start in their crucial Week 5 road game against the Los Angeles Chargers. It did not arrive.
Pressure is growing on this unit, which has not been at its best to start the campaign. However, it didn't take long to realize that the same problems would persist. And there was plenty of blame to go around.
Justin Herbert, the Chargers' superstar quarterback and legitimate NFL MVP candidate through four weeks, effortlessly moved the ball downfield. His long run was inexcusable from the Commanders' standpoint, and the signal-caller had no trouble punishing Washington after second-year cornerback Mike Sainristil's inexplicable offside penalty on the field goal attempt.
Commanders' defense misses way too many tackles to be competitive
This exposed an ongoing problem. The Commanders give up too many explosive plays and miss way too many tackles. Those are the things that can't be given the benefit of the doubt, not when they are happening with such frequency.
Washington's defensive front aside, it's a mess. Bobby Wagner appears to be slowing down with every passing week. Jeremy Reaves was a tackling mistake waiting to happen over the opening exchanges. The Commanders found themselves in a 10-point hole, which isn't what head coach Dan Quinn or defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. envisaged.
These are fundamental mistakes that should have been rectified long ago. This is an experienced group that should know better. The fact that these flaws persist is the most concerning aspect of all, and Herbert had no trouble finding his targets in space when pressure didn't arrive.
The Commanders won't go far this season if they continue to perform with a complete lack of discipline. The worst errors often occur at the most inopportune times, which only exacerbates the complication. If Whitt hasn't read the riot act to his players yet, he should.
This is getting worse, not better. That's going to be a real problem if it continues for much longer.