Getting NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles on home turf for a rematch with all sorts of playoff implications is the ideal opportunity for revenge for the Washington Commanders.
They were made to look ordinary when rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was flummoxed by complex coverage shells at Lincoln Financial Feld in Week 11. It didn't help Washington's defense was battered by running back Saquon Barkley during a 26-18 defeat.
Changing those things will rely on the performances of three unheralded, but crucial players. Starting with rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil, whose exceptional debut campaign in the NFL has been overshadowed recently by the long-awaited emergence of in-season trade acquisition and four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore.
The latter can be expected to matchup with Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, leaving Sainristil to deal with the equally dangerous DeVonta Smith, who's a dangerous weapon in his own right.
Key roles also await two members of the trenches for the Commanders' offense. Specifically, the man in the middle will need help dealing with the beefy and formidable interior of Philadelphia's defensive line.
The help can come from an unlikely source. Namely, from a backup tight end who might expect targets in the passing game while Zach Ertz deals with concussion, but whose primary task should still be blocking on the edge and allowing the Commanders to slide protection inside.
Under the radar Commanders players who must thrive in Week 16
Tyler Biadasz has to win vs. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis
The Eagles dominate the line of scrimmage because of house-sized defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. Carter is the more dynamic of the two, and somebody who caused the Commanders a host of problems in the first meeting.
He was in on seven tackles, including one for loss. Carter also benefitted from Davis' ability to occupy double teams. The 6-foot-6, 336-pounder takes up space and fills running lanes as soon as he lifts his hand off the ground.
Facing two tackles as dominant as Carter and Davis is a daunting prospect, so the return of Tyler Biadasz from illness is a timely boost. He missed last week's narrow win over the New Orleans Saints and the effects of his absence showed, according to 106.7 The Fan's Grant Paulsen.
Tyler Biadasz has emerged as one of the most important players on the Commanders.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 15, 2024
The center was unavailable today and WSH couldn't run the ball at all while Jayden Daniels got sacked 8 times. Not the only reason for those issues but I think it was a big contributing factor.
Biadasz needs to control his one-on-one matchups at least long enough for help to arrive. The Commanders probably won't be able to double both of the Eagles' internal behemoths, but taking one away will be a huge help to Daniels.
It'll be easier if the offensive line gets a little extra support on the edges.
John Bates can lend a helping hand in pass protection
Ertz will be missed as a natural safety valve for Daniels, but don't expect John Bates to fill the pass-catching void. Instead, he must focus his attention on helping the Commanders' offensive line outnumber and overwhelm the Eagles on the edges.
Having Bates win against defensive ends Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, or Bryce Huff can leave the Commanders free to slide protection inside. They can have the guard on Bates' side of the line block down to help Biadasz over the ball or use an offensive tackle to double up on Carter.
Bates is physical enough to help the Commanders lock down one side of the Eagles' outside pass rush. He's a capable technician when it comes to hand fighting in the pits, but the tight end usually wins his blocking assignment because of an innate appetite for the rough and tumble-side of the game.
That attitude can help the Commanders win up front and create enough gaps for the running game to ease some of the pressure on Daniels.
Another member of this year's draft class is also under pressure, but his mature response can give Washington an edge against the Eagles passing game.
Mike Sainristil is key to Commanders coverage plan
The Eagles have two marquee playmakers capable of burning Washington's secondary. Sainristil can tip the scales back in Washington's favor by winning his matchup without any help.
Doing so would mean defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. can design double coverage to bracket Brown all over the field. The pass-catcher is talented and explosive, but he's not as physically dominant as A.J. Brown, who has bullied the Commanders too often in recent years.
Putting an end to being toyed with by top wideouts is why the Commanders traded for Lattimore. He has the pedigree to travel alone against an opponent's top receiver. He is still rusty, having started just one game since October.
Sainristil has been something more of an Iron Man since being selected No. 50 overall in this year's draft. He also wasn't afraid to mix it with Eagles receivers, including Brown, in the first game.
Having Sainrsitil shut down one side of the field while Lattimore takes the other, will render an erratic Philadelphia pass attack moot. It would allow Whitt and head coach Dan Quinn to bring a safety into the box and load up to stop Barkley.