What huge changes should the Washington Commanders consider for their pivotal upcoming game at the New York Giants in Week 7?
Ending a losing run was the primary objective above all else from the Washington Commanders' perspective in Week 6 at the Atlanta Falcons. While the performance was decent despite a few obvious flaws, getting a positive result was absolutely imperative with pressure mounting on those in positions of power.
That was just the first step. Next on the list for Ron Rivera and his players centers on stringing some good results together before a difficult stretch to conclude the campaign.
Finding ways to beat divisional rivals would also help their cause greatly. Sunday's game at the New York Giants is one of the more winnable remaining challenges the Commanders have within the NFC East looking at how things are unfolding in the Big Apple through six weeks.
In order to achieve success, here are four changes the Commanders should consider in Week 7 at MetLife Stadium.
Commanders should give Jahan Dotson YAC opportunities
Confidence remains in wide receiver Jahan Dotson despite a troubling start to the season. Things just aren't clicking for the former first-round pick, with his drop at the Atlanta Falcons a microcosm of how the season is going for the Penn State product currently.
Thankfully, this can be fixed. There needs to be a shift in ethos regarding Dotson in the hope of building momentum, so Eric Bieniemy should consider giving the playmaker some easy receptions and chances to create yards after the catch right out of the gate.
This would not only keep the New York Giants defense honest, but there's just no telling what a couple of easy grabs would do for his confidence. Something that could then lead to targets over intermediate and deep routes for good measure.
Dotson is going to have a big game at some point. If the Washington Commanders can get some easy completions his way over the opening exchanges, it might just be in Week 7.
Commanders should start Cornelius Lucas at RT
The Washington Commanders were dealt bad news shortly before their game at the Atlanta Falcons when Charles Leno Jr. was ruled out with a tragic family matter. We are all praying for the left tackle's family and it was a testament to his team-first mentality that he returned to be with his teammates on Wednesday.
Leno will likely return to blindside responsibilities in Week 7 at the New York Giants. This leaves Cornelius Lucas in limbo once again, who was exceptional when filling in last time out.
This poses a dilemma for the Commanders. Lucas has enough in his locker to warrant starting duties, but Leno is also playing relatively well through his five starts, giving up one sack and boasting a creditable 74.2 grade from Pro Football Focus.
There is a more radical way to get Lucas involved. This involves starting him at right tackle in favor of Andrew Wylie, who's come on over the last two games but remains a potential weak link in key moments.
Wylie has close ties to Eric Bieniemy from their time together on the Kansas City Chiefs, so this particular move might not be in the Commanders' train of thought. However, it's something that should be discussed at the very least given the flawless outing Lucas put together in Atlanta.
Lucas' performance should increase urgency on the two starters to upp their respective consistency if nothing else. But making a change on the right-hand side next to the ever-improving Sam Cosmi could reap some significant rewards.
Commanders should run more high-tempo offense
Quarterback Sam Howell was solid if not spectacular at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. He started the game well, took full advantage of the turnovers, and didn't turn the football over while his adversary was dishing out picks like confetti.
This is yet another positive from Howell as he looks to cement his status as the Washington Commanders' long-term quarterback. There is one glaring flaw remaining - holding onto the football for too long and overall pocket awareness.
Howell is getting hit too much and not all of it is on the offensive line. The former fifth-round selection needs to recognize pressure and pre-snap packages with more efficiency and react far quicker than what we've seen over five weeks.
The same thing happening over and over gives the indication things might not change overnight. Therefore, running more no-huddles could be the schematic key to avoid further complications moving forward.
Simplifying the calls for Howell, making it difficult for Wink Martindale's defense to make substitutions, allowing the North Carolina product to keep the chains moving with quick releases, and getting playmakers heavily involved might be the best way to go about things offensively versus the New York Giants.
The Giants' defensive front is formidable and Martindale is one of the more creative coordinators around when it comes to blitz packages. Therefore, the Commanders should play to their strengths - athleticism, quickness, and explosiveness.
Commanders should adopt more 5-man defensive fronts
One of the New York Giants' biggest flaws through their opening six games is the offensive line. This group is not performing to the standards attained in 2022 and upon examining the film, is something the Washington Commanders should identify as an area to exploit.
The defensive front looked more like its old self in Week 6. They also got help from rotational pieces such as Casey Toohil, who gained two sacks from limited involvement in the pursuit of more playing time.
The return of Efe Obada is also a boost and John Ridgeway came up with a big play or two en route to a hard-fought triumph. For the same trend to continue, the Commanders might want to adopt more five-man defensive fronts at the Giants this weekend.
Washington's rotational pieces have the scope to make a difference. If the Commanders decide to go man for man in the trenches with more frequency, they can get the better of their divisional opponents more often than not despite the obvious assistance that the protection could receive from tight ends.
Andrew Thomas' status for the game is in doubt, which would be great news for the Commanders. Right tackle Evan Neal is going through a sophomore slump currently, so Montez Sweat and Chase Young will be salivating at the chance to get the former Alabama stud to themselves with four other linemen clogging up bodies in this scenario.
It has to be deployed at the right times, obviously. But the benefits are there for all to see.
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