Commanders News: Ron Rivera, Jahan Dotson, Jamison Crowder and Chase Young

Commanders HC Ron Rivera's focal point

Things are not going well for the New York Giants right now. But it's worth remembering this was a playoff-caliber team last season and the Washington Commanders are not in a position to underestimate anybody with their own fortunes hanging in the balance.

These two teams know each other extremely well and their recent encounters have all been close. It remains to be seen whether quarterback Daniel Jones returns from a neck injury after practicing without being cleared for contact on Wednesday, but limiting running back Saquon Barkley's influence is the primary key to potential success on the road.

When discussing preparations, Ron Rivera stated via Sports Illustrated that finding a way to counteract the supreme threat posed by Barkley is the obvious focal point. The head coach is also looking for a similar effort from his defensive unit as they demonstrated last weekend against the Atlanta Falcons rushing attack led by first-round sensation Bijan Robinson.

"They're going to come in, they have Saquon [Barkley] and we know how special he is as a running back. We’ve got to be able to contain him. We got to be able to contain the quarterback (Daniel Jones). A lot of those things that we did on Sunday are things that are going to be reflected in what we're going to need to do this coming Sunday as well."

- Ron Rivera via Sports Illustrated

Barkley might be an outstanding player, but the Giants offensive line is abysmal so far. Something the Commanders can definitely exploit if their defensive front seizes the initiative.