Luke McCaffrey and 2 under the radar Commanders who must contribute at Saints

Things are looking up for the Washington Commanders after they walloped the Tennessee Titans before a timely rest during the bye week. Yet the season's playoff hopes are still in the balance for an 8-5 team facing a tough assignment on the road against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15.

Winning at the Caesars Superdome will require strong performances from three under-the-radar Commanders. They include rookie wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, who must offer the support go-to target Terry McLaurin has been missing.

The passing game also needs a boost following the news Noah Brown will spend several weeks dealing with an internal injury. Although general manager Adam Peters has moved quickly to secure a veteran replacement, it's time for McCaffrey to step up.

McCaffrey is not alone in needing to stamp his authority on this game. The same can be said of an offensive lineman who impressed before the bye, while a hybrid safety has a key role to play corralling Saints multi-purpose running back Alvin Kamara.

Under the radar Commanders who must thrive in Week 15

Cornelius Lucas Jr. must control Saints edge-rushers

Shifting Cornelius Lucas from left to right tackle against the Titans helped the Commanders hit the ideal formula for their offensive line moving forward. The veteran acquitted himself well and offered a more competent and imposing physical force than struggling deposed starter Andrew Wylie.

Lucas should continue on the right, not least so rookie Brandon Coleman can continue honing his craft at left tackle. There will be multiple challenges against the Saints, including defensive ends Tanoh Kpassagnon, Carl Granderson, aging eight-time Pro Bowler Cameron Jordan, and former Commanders draft flop Chase Young.

The Saints are loaded on the edges, so they're likely to present Lucas with different matchups. It will be important for the 6-foot-8, 327-pounder to use his full frame to lean on lighter opponents.

Lucas might get some help if offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury continues to deploy multiple tight ends. Ultimately though, the edge protector will have to handle one-on-one situations and prove he merits his place ahead of Wylie.

Luke McCaffrey needs a breakout game

McCaffrey hasn't had a game with more than three targets since entering the NFL. He's not emerging as the big-bodied pass-catcher between the numbers Jayden Daniels needs for some quick throws and easy completions.

There's still time for McCaffrey to prove his worth working in the middle of the field. He can start against a Saints defense giving up 7.3 yards per attempt and 148 first downs through the air.

The Commanders can move the sticks in the passing game if McCaffrey gets open underneath. He'll need to because the Saints are likely to double McLaurin. Everybody else does.

McCaffrey not stepping up will leave the Commanders as merely McLaurin or bust in the receiver corps. Counting on Olamide Zaccheaus or Dyami Brown to make a consistent impact requires a significant leap of faith.

This is the moment for McCaffrey to prove the Commanders were right to use a top-100 pick on a converted quarterback last April.

Jeremy Chinn has a key role to play

Alvin Kamara is the type of player the Commanders signed Jeremy Chinn to stop. This is a must-watch matchup between a multi-faceted playmaker who can gash defenses as both a runner and receive, against a safety who can play linebacker.

That's where Chinn should line up more often than not in New Orleans. The Commanders would be smart to stack the box against a five-time Pro Bowler who has rushed for a career-best 938 yards with four games still left in the season.

Kamara also has 64 catches to his credit, so he's somebody the Commanders need a plan for on every snap. Chinn will be a component of that plan simply by creating eight-man fronts on early downs.

The 26-year-old should also have the freedom to shadow Kamara out of the backfield on pass plays. Attacking the Saints' primary weapon in both phases is the only way to slow him down and limit production.

Chinn bringing his 220 pounds of force downhill consistently is the best lead-from-the-front strategy for the Commanders against Kamara.

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