The Washington Commanders will fancy their chances of picking up another positive result in Week 4 when they travel to the Atlanta Falcons. This is thanks in no small part to the inept showing displayed by head coach Raheem Morris' squad during their embarrassing road loss against the Carolina Panthers.
Atlanta was surprisingly outmatched versus a division rival who'd lost their opening two games of the campaign. The Falcons were unable to generate any pressure defensively. However, their offensive failings were even more glaring en route to a shutout defeat.
The Falcons didn't score any points. They missed two field goals. They never even crossed Carolina's 30-yard line on any offensive drive. Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw two interceptions, one of which was taken back for six by cornerback Chau Smith-Wade.
Former Washington coach Ike Hilliard fired by the Falcons after Week 3 shutout
Inevitably, there was collateral damage. The higher-ups wanted a scapegoat from this unmitigated disaster. That left the Falcons quietly sending one former Washington coach packing in the game's immediate aftermath.
The NFC South squad parted ways with wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard. He spent seven years in the same position in Washington, divided over two separate spells. Now, he's seeking alternative employment once again.
Atlanta's wideouts were way down their list of problems in Week 3. Penix was lackluster and unusually hesitant in the pocket, the offensive line couldn't block anybody, the running game was stagnant, and the tight ends — Kyle Pitts Sr., in particular — failed to deliver. And yet, it was Hilliard who carried the can.
Position coaches tend to go first. If improvements don't arrive, then the axe falls on the coordinator. Play-caller Zac Robinson is facing severe criticism following this abject failure. Morris stated that he'll move from the booth to the sidelines versus the Commanders. Whether it brings about the improvements needed is another matter.
Hilliard probably feels aggrieved. He did some good work in Atlanta, helping Drake London to a career-best campaign in 2024. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.
The Commanders will be looking to pile more misery on Atlanta this weekend. They are coming off a comfortable triumph. They'll also want to kickstart a crucial stretch that consists of four away games in the next five on the right foot. The Falcons will strive for improvements, but they are highly vulnerable.
If this scenario comes to fruition, it might not be much longer before others are also made surplus to requirements.