5 Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 3 at the Bengals
By Dean Jones
Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE
The Washington Commanders' pass rush was a big concern heading into the season. These fears have been realized over the first two weeks.
The Commanders are averaging just one sack per game - ranked joint last with the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unless they put quarterback Joe Burrow under significant duress in Week 3, the team's less-than-stellar secondary will be exposed.
It's time for Dorance Armstrong Jr. to prove why he was a coveted free agency target. The defensive end performed exceptionally well under Dan Quinn from a rotational role on the Dallas Cowboys. Things are proving more difficult as a focal point of opposing protection schemes, so a big performance is needed versus the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.
Armstrong cannot do it alone. The defensive tackle tandem of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne also needs to step up, but he's supposed to be the team's most prolific edge presence. It's time to show the NFL world why the Commanders trusted him so much during their recruitment plans over a dramatic offseason.
Terry McLaurin - Commanders WR
Being on the hot seat doesn't just mean someone's place is under threat. It also means the team is counting upon a specific player to produce the goods more than most. That's the case with wide receiver Terry McLaurin in Week 3.
Much has been made of McLaurin's lack of involvement over the first two weeks. Kliff Kingsbury is keeping things simple for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to smooth his early transition into a competitive NFL environment. That's not a bad thing, but the scheme might have to open up at the Cincinnati Bengals looking at the offensive firepower at their disposal.
Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt has had a lot to say about Washington's offense, which he thought was college-like and predictable. Kingsbury needs to make it more expansive as the weeks go on, something that will benefit McLaurin considerably as the team's most prolific pass-catcher by a considerable margin.
Nobody disputes McLaurin's talent. Daniels needs to rely on him heavily at Paycor Stadium in his first taste of the primetime spotlight. It would be a big surprise if the former Ohio State star didn't have a big say in the eventual outcome despite the gifts Taylor-Britt brings to the table.
More Commanders news and analysis
feed