5 Commanders players who need to thrive in Week 2 vs. the NY Giants

Tyler Biadasz - Commanders C

For all the New York Giants' faults, and they have plenty of them, Dexter Lawrence II is someone who could potentially wreck the Washington Commanders' plans for an immediate bounce-back during their regular-season home debut. Unless the offensive line interior is up for the challenge, they are going to struggle.

Lawrence is one of the league's best at what he does. Tyler Biadasz will be the main primarily tasked with keeping the defensive lineman in check. The veteran free-agent signing performed well in their Week 1 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers going up against formidable presence Vita Vea. Another stern test of his credentials awaits this weekend.

The Commanders need Nick Allegretti and Sam Cosmi to be on high alert and give Biadasz all the help he needs to counteract the imposing physical gifts Lawrence brings to the table. It's a fine balancing act for the offensive guards, who also need to ensure Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux don't get chances to build momentum on the edge.

That puts the onus on Biadasz. He must impose himself en route to another encouraging performance. Anything less could make things extremely difficult for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB

The Commanders are expecting big things from Frankie Luvu this season. They identified him as a primary target in free agency and he turned down a contract extension from the Carolina Panthers to join this ambitious project. However, it was only a solid if not spectacular debut from the second-level enforcer in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Very few on the defensive side covered themselves in glory. Luvu and Bobby Wagner needed to set the tone a little more effectively, especially against the run. It's just one game, but much more is needed moving forward if the Commanders want to start shifting their cornering narrative in 2024.

Luvu's lack of outstanding production isn't anything to get overly concerned about. He's got enough of that over the last two seasons to suggest better days are ahead. How the coaching staff utilizes him might also change versus a New York Giants offensive line that isn't the best aside from stud left tackle Andrew Thomas.

If Luvu can return to the explosive presence we saw with the Panthers this weekend, it won't be much longer before defensive improvements come to fruition.

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