5 sneaky threats the Commanders should worry about vs. Bills in Week 3

Two running backs and a disruptive defensive tackle are among the sneaky threats the Washington Commanders should worry about against the Buffalo Bills.

Stopping Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs is usually the key to beating the Buffalo Bills. Yet, the dynamic quarterback and wide receiver duo aren't the only threats the Washington Commanders need to be wary of in Week 3.

The Bills' sneaky-good playmakers include a clutch tight end and an active, savvy defensive tackle. But Washington's immediate problem will be handling a pair of tough running backs.

Commanders must contain James Cook

A one-dimensional offense has cost the Bills at key moments during recent seasons, but James Cook is doing his bit to add balance. The second-year running back is averaging 5.8 yards a carry and battered his way to eight first downs through two weeks.

Cook can mix it between the tackles, but he's also a patient runner with the vision and acceleration to suddenly break off big gains on the outside. The Washington Commanders' front seven needs to set hard edges and take away his cutback lanes.

Those aren't things the Commanders have managed too often this offseason. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio's unit has surrendered 4.5 yards per rush and 14 first downs on the ground.

Letting Cook be this productive will make it easier for Allen and Diggs to dissect Washington's defense in choice moments. To compound the problem, Cook isn't the only runner the Commanders have to stop.

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.

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.

Commanders must contain Ed Oliver

He doesn't get the props given to Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, but Ed Oliver is quietly one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. Numbers from Pro Football Focus, cited by Cowboys Report host Tom Downey, show how effective the lineman is when rushing the passer this season.

Oliver's putting consistent pressure on the pocket, but he's also formidable against the run. The 25-year-old already has 3.5 run stops to his credit after two games.

Keeping Oliver quiet won't be easy. But the Washington Commanders could have the advantage thanks to center Nick Gates.

He's added something the Commanders looked for this offseason, what Ben Standig of The Athletic called "a tenacious and steady presence" over the ball.

Gates and mobile guard Saahdiq Charles can help the Commanders make quick contact with Oliver and keep No. 91 on his heels. Putting such a big body on skates will allow the improving left guard to get to the second level and absorb an increasingly active Bills' linebacker.

Commanders must contain Terrel Bernard

Matt Milano is the leader of the Buffalo Bills' linebacker corps, but Terrel Bernard is becoming more of a playmaker each week. The third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is leading the team with 17 tackles as further proof of his improvements.

Bernard has also snatched an interception while limiting opposing quarterbacks to a stingy 41.7 rating when targeting him in coverage. Those numbers mean the Washington Commanders, particularly quarterback Sam Howell, need to know where he is on every play.

Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy can design plays to quickly get his linemen onto Bills' linebackers. Charles will be a key figure after he dominated the Denver Broncos in space and at the second level in Week 2, something highlighted by Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Turning Charles loose against Bernard will give the Commanders more room to exploit rushing lanes and let Howell use the screen game for some easy yards through the air.

A prominent Bills' pass-catcher must be denied the same cheap gains.

Commanders must contain Dawson Knox

Stefon Diggs may be the Buffalo Bills' go-to target, but tight end Dawson Knox becomes Josh Allen's favorite receiver the closer he gets to the end zone. The tight end has tallied 21 touchdown receptions, with his latest score covering just two yards against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Defending pay-dirt against the Bills is difficult enough when having to watch out for the rushing threats of Allen, James Cook, and Damien Harris. Even so, the Washington Commanders need a plan for Knox near the goal line.

Using safety Darrick Forrest to body the tight end would be a good start. Keeping Knox under wraps while also bottling up Allen's runners will make the Bills one-dimensional and give Sam Howell enough chances to outscore another Pro Bowl quarterback.

It'll be interesting to see how the Commanders defense approaches this one after such a snsational start to the campaign - especially from their front four. If they can keep Knox and tight end partner in crime Dalton Kincaid quiet, the better their chances of getting to 3-0 will be.