5 bold Washington Commanders predictions at the Bengals in Week 3
By Dean Jones
Brian Robinson Jr. gains 120+ rushing yards
One of the biggest positives to emerge from the campaign so far is Brian Robinson Jr.'s emergence. The Washington Commanders are giving the running back a primary role within Kliff Kingsbury's offense and he's thriving, displaying powerful running and turning even the smallest gaps into lofty gains.
Robinson turned in the best performance of his professional career against the New York Giants in Week 2. His backfield partnership with veteran free-agent signing Austin Ekeler and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is reaping hefty rewards. Washington needs all this and more entering Week 3 at the Cincinnati Bengals.
Looking at the Bengals' performances so far, they are susceptible to a strong rushing attack. This won't go unnoticed by Kingsbury during his strategizing for the clash. This represents another chance for Robinson to prove his worth as one of the league's most dynamic young running backs with a national television audience taking in the clash.
If Robinson can build on his newfound momentum and gain 120 or more rushing yards, this will be a tone-setting bonus for the Commanders - one that can open things up in the passing attack for good measure. But this is entirely dependent on whether Washington can keep things close over the opening exchanges.
Commanders gain 3+ sacks
Failing to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been a glaring flaw for the Commanders entering Week 3. It's still early days and things could improve, but the offseason concerns surrounding the pass rush are coming true so far.
The Commanders are averaging just one sack per game. This is dead-last around the league along with the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That cannot continue on Monday Night Football if Washington wants to stand any chance of containing quarterback Joe Burrow.
Cincinnati's franchise player can tear apart any defense when given time to go through his progressions. Joe Whitt Jr. needs to change the approach, offering more exotic blitz packages and causing confusion pre-snap. The likes of Dorance Armstrong Jr., Clelin Ferrell, and Dante Fowler Jr. must raise their respective performance levels to keep this contest interesting.
It would also help if the high-profile defensive tackle tandem of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne started living up to their paychecks. If Whitt can get a better tune out of his pressure packages to the tune of three or more sacks, that's a positive step for the struggling unit.