Commanders' defensive momentum must continue
The Washington Commanders' defense was dreadful in 2023. That manifested itself week in and week out when opposing offenses had their best days of the season against this much-maligned unit.
If your team’s offense was struggling, a game against the 2023 Commanders was just the remedy you needed. That was never more clear than in a Week 11 home loss to the New York Giants. They let a rookie undrafted free-agent quarterback bombard them for 246 passing yards and three touchdowns. Tommy DeVito was hardly alone. Struggling opponents feasted on the Commanders' defense throughout the campaign.
The Cleveland Browns enter Sunday’s game struggling as well. They rank at or near the bottom of the league in most important offensive categories. They are one of just two NFL teams who have not gained at least 1,000 yards of total offense through the first four games.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson has been a shell of his former self. Running back Nick Chubb’s replacements have not been especially good. None of the wide receivers has more than 200 yards for the season.
The problem is that these players still have a lot of talent. Watson was among the league’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in 2020 and he is still just 29 years old. Unheralded running back Jerome Ford is averaging better than five yards per carry this season. Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy can produce big plays. Tight end David Njuko has always been a gifted if inconsistent threat when healthy.
If the Browns get a few of their injured offensive lineman back in Week 5, Ford could pose problems for a defense that has been gashed by opposing running backs. Those wide receivers will certainly test Washington’s suspect cornerbacks to further raise concerns.
Above all, Washington can’t afford to let Watson get off to a fast start. If they do, the Browns will gain confidence and force Jayden Daniels and his offense to bail the team out, as they did against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.
The Commanders' defense showed signs of life over the final three quarters in Week 4. Joe Whitt Jr. must take this new standard and enhance it further moving forward.