3 changes Commanders' coaching staff must consider in Week 5 vs. Browns
Who would have thought that the Washington Commanders would have been sitting atop the NFC East at 3-1 through four weeks with hope increasing exponentially regarding their long-term future at this early stage? Not many that's for sure.
The Commanders have a shot to win this weekend. How strange it is to consider the looming prospect that Washington will begin to do what good teams accomplish - triumph with professionalism and purpose in equal measure.
Could this become the Commanders' new reality? Could they have turned a legitimate corner and become one of those franchises that consistently win almost all of the games that they are supposed to?
If the Commanders are who they have been portraying recently, it shouldn't stop them from doing it again versus the Cleveland Browns. Of course, that doesn't mean they should achieve success by four touchdowns.
They can't get complacent. Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn must be prepared for other teams to come at them with new strategies. And part of the Commanders' planning must be foresight.
With this in mind, here are three changes Washington's coaching staff must consider in Week 5 at Northwest Stadium.
Changes the Commanders' coaching staff must consider in Week 5
Solving the defensive tackle riddle
The greatest disappointment for the Washington Commanders season thus far is the same guy who has been one of the only bright spots in the past. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, despite showing some signs of life this last weekend, haven't lived up to their highly priced billing through four weeks. It's about time that changed.
With the way quarterback Deshaun Watson is playing, and the formidable defense that the Browns often show, it could turn into a game that is won in the trenches. This means that the Commanders must stop the run. They will be relying heavily on Allen, Payne, and perhaps even second-round rookie Johnny Newton to accomplish this feat.
Finding the right balance is crucial. Joe Whitt Jr.'s simplified approach can help greatly. Solving this defensive tackle riddle would change everything from a consistency standpoint.