Commanders must contain Damien Harris
Former New England Patriots' workhorse Damien Harris has given the Buffalo Bills something they've lacked in the past. Namely, a true power back capable of bludgeoning a defensive front.
Harris opened his account in a Bills uniform with this one-yard touchdown plunge during Week 2's 38-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Damien Harris adds to the @BuffaloBills lead.
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023
📺: #LVvsBUF on CBS⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/JNGvNjOGxs
Aside from being a force at the goal line, Harris is a relentless grinder who can break away for a big run through the interior. The onus will be on Washington Commanders defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne to clog the middle and force him to run laterally when he's nowhere close to as effective as when he attacks downhill.
Allen, Payne, and run-stuffing backups John Ridgeway and Abdullah Anderson must keep Cody Barton clean and free to chase down Harris. Both running backs are the type of layers that the free-agent linebacker was signed to corral.
The Commanders' own running backs will need to avoid Buffalo's force in the middle. Something that might be easier said than done despite Eric Bieniemy's scheme coming in for significant praise.