5 Commanders players who need to thrive in Week 2 vs. the NY Giants
By Dean Jones
Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE
The Washington Commanders weren't able to get many sacks on quarterback Baker Mayfield in Week 1. But upon further examination of the game film, the pressure generated at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was largely pleasing.
Converting opportunities into sacks was the tricky part. Mayfield's outstanding pocket awareness and elusiveness in tight windows made him a slippery proposition to overcome. The Commanders face someone very similar this weekend when former first-round pick Daniel Jones comes to town.
Jones is going through some real confidence issues and was booed out of the building after Week 1. He's getting the starting job again this weekend despite calls to remove him from the equation. It's an opportunity, but the Commanders cannot take things lightly versus a signal-caller who's been a constant thorn in the team's side since being drafted No. 7 overall.
The Commanders have to keep Jones in the pocket. Dorance Armstrong Jr. has more responsibility on his shoulders than most. He needs to wrap up the quarterback and keep him contained by setting the edge. If Washington can do this, then mistakes are guaranteed to arrive in some capacity.
Terry McLaurin - Commanders WR
Terry McLaurin is one of the league's best pass-catchers. He's comfortably the most prolific performer in the passing game available to the Commanders. That's why it was so strange to see him become a non-factor in Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
McLaurin couldn't get anything going, bringing in two receptions from four targets for 17 receiving yards. He got open on a deep shot but Jayden Daniels missed him. The rookie quarterback also got out on the move frequently rather than going through his progressions. This was a first-game jitter and should enhance as the campaign goes on.
Daniels and McLaurin developed some encouraging chemistry throughout the offseason. That should result in improved production moving forward, starting against a New York Giants secondary that gave up more than 200 passing yards to Sam Darnold before the Minnesota Vikings started running the football to close out a one-sided affair.
This is something the Commanders can exploit if things are schemed effectively by Kliff Kingsbury. If McLaurin gets more targets and Daniels develops some additional comfort in the pocket, they should flourish.