3 problems the Commanders must address before Week 4 at the Cardinals

The Washington Commanders travel to take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. They are looking to extend their two-game winning streak against a team that has played well through three weeks but stands at 1-2 in the NFC West.

In some ways, the teams mirror each other. Both have struggled in recent years but seem to be trending up. Both rely on a dynamic young quarterback, a bruising runner, and one stand-out wide receiver.

The Cardinals would seem to have a clear edge on defense. They are by no means elite, but after surrendering more than 30 points in a week one loss to the Buffalo Bills, they have played much better the last two weeks against the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions. Those are potent offenses and Arizona held them to a combined 30 points.

Washington's offense has scored on every non-kneel-down possession for two straight weeks. And there is plenty of room for growth. As spectacular as he was against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jayden Daniels has not seen several open receivers. The wideouts beyond Terry McLaurin have not been involved in enough. And the interior running game has been inconsistent. All those things should improve with time.

The defense is a different matter. That is not trending in a positive direction. Washington’s remarkable offensive efficiency over the last fortnight has helped hide multiple defensive issues that Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt, Jr. need to address.

The most obvious problems come from the lack of a consistent pass rush and the inferior secondary play, especially from the cornerbacks. Correcting those problems will be vital if the Commanders are to leave the desert 3-1. But let’s look at some other keys that may not be quite as obvious.

I briefly thought the biggest thing that Washington needed to do in preparation for the game was to buy Tress Way a nice, comfy recliner since his services as a punter no longer seemed to be needed. But then I remembered that he serves as Austin Seibert’s holder, and he hasn’t missed a kick yet. So I don’t want to mess with that vibe. The Pro Bowler can sit on the bench like everyone else.

Here are three things that may be more germane against the Cardinals.

Problems the Commanders must address entering Week 4 at the Cardinals

Commanders' interior defense must stop James Conner

The Washington Commanders will have their hands full contending with rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. But Joe Whitt Jr.’s defense has seen elite wideout this year. They haven’t stopped them, but they have at least seen them. They have not seen a power runner as good as James Conner.

Given how average running teams like the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals gashed the middle of Washington's defense with runs over the past two weeks, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s game plan will be simple.

He was going to run anyway. The Cardinals under Petzing run a lot of two or three-tight-end sets and try to establish Conner. He went for over 1,000 rushing yards last season and the team gained five yards per carry, second in the entire NFL.

Once the run is established, quarterback Kyler Murray is very effective with play-action passes. That’s what Arizona was able to do against the Rams in a Week 2 blowout win. But they have not been as effective in their two losses.

The supposed strength of the Commanders' defense - Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen in the middle, with Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu behind them - need to step up in a major way. If they do, Arizona’s entire offense stalls.

If they don’t - given Washington’s poor pass rush and secondary play - it will be another long day for the defense.