Sam Cosmi must channel his anger to keep Commanders' Jayden Daniels upright

Few Washington Commanders players have emerged with credit after the team's dismal 1-3-1 start, but right guard Sam Cosmi is still a standout performer. One with an underrated but key role to play against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 6.

Cosmi couldn't contain his rage after the Commanders botched their end-of-game drive against the New York Giants in overtime last week. The Commanders need him to channel that anger in the right way to help them win a vital matchup at Levi's Stadium.

It's a matchup against one of the Commanders' familiar foes. Former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa is powering the 49ers' pass rush from the interior.

Sam Cosmi has the tools to keep Commanders' interior offensive line secure

Odighizuwa could take on a bigger role, with Nick Bosa out. That's bad news for the Commanders, based on how Odighizuwa has been puncturing the pass pocket through five games.

Something's got to give because Odighizuwa's an irresistible force set to run into the immovable object that is Washington's best interior offensive lineman.

Odighizuwa's considerable threat is best summed up by his numbers. He's registered nine pressures, five quarterback knockdowns, and three hurries, plus a sack and six additional quarterback hits.

Those are the numbers of a true interior menace who's wrecking blocking schemes every week. The Commanders can't let Odighizuwa run riot and add to the pressure already on quarterback Jayden Daniels after last week's debacle.

Fortunately for Washington's QB1, Cosmi is blanking pass-rushers for fun this season. He's allowed the lowest pressure rate among starting Commanders O-linemen, just 0.9 percent, according to The Washington Post's Tashan Reed, citing TruMedia.

Keeping Daniels clean will be a challenge after he took five sacks against the Giants. Protecting their prized asset will be tough for Cosmi, even if Bosa didn't do enough to feature.

Sam Cosmi's consistency will be crucial for Commannders on prime time

Bosa missing the game is a bonus for the Commanders, but they can't underestimate what an Odighizuwa-led pass rush can still do to Daniels.

The best way to slow down Odighizuwa and versatile rush end Keion White will be to keep the ball on the ground. Sadly, Cosmi hasn't been as dominant in the running game, and neither has any other member of the Commanders' front.

Reed cited NFL Pro to outline how "the Commanders are averaging 3.9 yards per carry on runs inside the tackles (17th)."

That number could improve if the Commanders send disappointing running back Rachaad White behind Cosmi pulling outside and attacking the edges of the 49ers' defensive front.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt is expected to miss out, despite coming off his best game of the season, so White should have a bigger role. He can succeed because the Commanders are gaining in strength on the right side, thanks to Cosmi's partnership with steadily improving second-year tackle Josh Conerly Jr.

Using this combination to double 6-foot-2, 294-pound Odighizuwa and run at him is another way the Commanders can help Cosmi win this vital matchup in both phases and give Daniels and the offense the right platform to carry the load in the Bay Area.

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