Getting their season back on track after three straight defeats requires a gut check for the Washington Commanders. Fortunately, this team doesn't have a soft middle and can win from inside to out against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13.
That will mean dominating the interior on both sides of the ball. For the defense, winning inside matchups against the run and in coverage calls two rookies into key action.
It's a different story on offense, where the Commanders can trust the experience of the man over the ball. Even though he faces perhaps his toughest matchup of the season.
Under the radar Commanders who must thrive in Week 13
Tyler Biadasz needs to control Jeffery Simmons
You have to feel sorry for Tyler Biadasz this week. Not only is the 27-year-old recovering from a blow to the head suffered when he and the rest of the offensive line were bullied by the Dallas Cowboys. The veteran center is also preparing to face Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.
Just for good measure, the Titans rested Simmons at practice this week, according to Pro Football Reference. If you're keeping score, the Commanders are going to have a banged-up center try and control one of the most active interior disruptors in the NFL.
Biadasz would need help even if he was 100 percent healthy because Simmons is a menace. He plays with outstanding natural leverage, despite measuring 6-foot-4. The 305-pounder also dominates with raw power and deceptive short-area quickness.
Keeping him quiet will be Biadasz's primary responsibility, but offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury should slide protection toward the Titans' star man. Let right guard Sam Cosmi, who's never shy about putting a hurt on opponents, land a few hits on No. 98. The play-caller can also use beefy tight end John Bates on wham blocks into Simmons' grid square.
Knocking Simmons off his stride isn't just how the Commanders keep rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels clean in the pocket. It's also how Kingsbury's offense revives what's been a dormant running game.
Johnny Newton must dominate inside
The Commanders ' run defense hit a new low against the Cowboys by letting the league's worst rushing attack tally 91 yards. Although Dallas didn't hit the century on the deck, they always got a big run when they needed one.
Washington's defense will be in trouble if its struggles repelling the run continue this week. The Titans are being powered by former Cowboys back Tony Pollard, a big-play runner who can flip any game his way.
Getting to Pollard means filling gaps and swarming early. Two things that won't happen unless Johnny Newton dominates inside.
The Commanders' second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is struggling for consistency. Newton's flashed brilliance with quick takeoffs and keen downhill instincts, but he's not producing enough difference-making plays.
Newton's erratic form has increased the onus on Daron Payne to be the focal point at the heart of Washington's defensive line. The veteran can't work alone and it's going to take a collective effort to wreck the Titans' inside zone and duo runs.
Mike Sainristil has to own the slot
He's surprised many as a positive force on the perimeter, but Mike Sainristil has to get back to his natural position and boss the slot this week. With the long-awaited involvement of four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore getting closer, the rookie should get used to more work on the inside.
The former Michigan game-wrecker has a key dual role to play against the Titans. First, Sainristil must jam Calvin Ridley on inside releases, where the pass-catcher does some of his best work.
Second, Sainristil can set the edge against the run. Like most teams, the Commanders lean on their nickel front. Unless they go with big personnel and put Jeremy Chinn in the slot on early downs, the defensive back will be a force player. He'll need to establish hard edges along the line of scrimmage to take off-tackle running lanes away from the speedy Pollard.
This also looks like the week for defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to unleash Sainristil on the blitz more often. He's blitzed just four times through 12 games, despite being a useful source of pressure for the Wolverines. The Commanders need to make better use of this asset to make Will Levis uncomfortable.