3 glaring problems the Commanders must fix in Week 2 vs. the NY Giants

Commanders must get the ball to their wide receivers

There was a lot of concern about the Washington Commanders' wide receiver room going into this season. Had the team done enough to surround Pro Bowl pass-catcher Terry McLaurin with the necessary firepower? Those in power were confident, especially considering the impressive contribution made by some potentially dynamic options over the summer.

That worry was exacerbated by the shocking decision to part company with 2022 first-round draft pick Jahan Dotson shortly before the season - to the Philadelphia Eagles of all teams. But Adam Peters and Dan Quinn told fans not to worry.

None of us saw the master plan. You don’t need quality receivers if you never intend to throw the ball to them.

Washington wideouts saw 11 targets at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That’s for the entire game.

Running backs and tight ends had 13 targets. To put that in perspective, Tampa Bay’s receivers were targeted 19 times on quarterback Baker Mayfield’s passes. And recognize that Washington was playing from behind the entire game. Teams that are attempting to pull back a deficit almost always pass the ball downfield more than those who hold a lead.

That's just the way things work. Just see Eric Bieniemy's offensive approach last season as a prime example.

Washington took one deep shot. McLaurin was open but Jayden Daniels overthrew him. It came early in the second half. In the first half, the Commanders simply couldn’t get the balls to their fastest playmakers.

If the plays were called, something interrupted them. Either pass protection broke down or Daniels didn’t see the opening fast enough. Either way, instead of throwing, the signal-caller took off running.

Fortunately, he’s good at running, but that cannot be what this offense is built on. The Commanders have to get the ball downfield to its receivers if this offense wants to thrive.

Now that he’s had a chance to learn his teammates' names, we may see Noah Brown on the field against the New York Giants. That adds a different dynamic that could help Daniels be better in the passing game.