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Dante Fowler stands out in win over Panthers
Breaking down Dante Fowler’s impressive performance against the Panthers
[W]ith the Commanders dealing with injuries at the defensive end spot this season, fowler has had to play more than expected. He’s played just over 50% of the snaps so far this season and he’s making the most of his opportunities. Through seven games this season, Fowler is quietly putting together a strong season. He is currently leading the Commanders in multiple key statistics, including sacks (4.5), joint leading in tackles for loss with Bobby Wagner (6), joint leading in interceptions (1).
His performance against the Panthers this week was worth highlighting, having made a number of key plays in various situations, so let’s break it down.
The Panthers started off quite hot on their opening drive, hitting a number of plays for big gains. However, Fowler laid down an early marker on this play, which was the fifth play of the game. Here Fowler runs a stunt with defensive tackle Daron Payne. Fowler stunts inside towards the right guard with the hopes that he can bring the right tackle inside with them. Payne then loops around him to the edge to try and trick the tackle. The stunt works, but not necessarily as intended. The tackle actually does a nice job peeling off and picking up Payne as he loops to the edge, but the guard is surprised by Fowler and doesn’t adjust well enough. That enables Fowler to bounce off the guard after the stunt and work into the backfield, closing quickly on quarterback Andy Dalton to pressure his throw.
Now, Dalton did a good job getting the ball out with Fowler in his face and completing a pass down the field, but that did show that Fowler could generate pressure against the Panthers offensive line. On the very next play, Fowler’s pressure came up big.
This time, the Panthers look to run a throwback screen. They send rookie receiver Xavier Legette on a jet sweep fake from right to left, trying to make it look like a normal jet sweep fake. Dalton then snaps the ball and fakes a hand off to the running back on a normal play-action pass. However, Dalton then looks to pull up after the fake and throw the ball back outside to the left, where Legette pulls up and has three offensive lineman out in front of him on a screen. You can see at the point that Dalton throws the ball how bad this situation could have been for the Commanders. The Panthers get three lineman out in front and the Commanders have no defenders within 10 yards of Legette.
Fortunately, Fowler saved the play. He stunted inside of a tight end looking to seal him off on the back side of the screen. By stunting inside so aggressively, Fowler was able to beat the block and get into the backfield. He didn’t get fooled by the play-action fake and quickly closed on Dalton, forcing him to pull up and make the throw off balance. That pressure from Fowler caused Dalton to sail his pass out of the reach of Legette, who does his best to try and get a hand on it, but ultimately can’t get there. If Dalton had time to set up and throw normally, that could have potentially been a touchdown for the Panthers but instead, Fowler’s pressure set up second and 10.
Washington Post (paywall)
Commanders cut Jamin Davis, sending out another former first-rounder
Five of Washington’s past seven first-round draft picks have been released or traded as the new front office continues to overhaul the roster.
The Washington Commanders released edge rusher Jamin Davis on Tuesday, making him the fifth of the team’s past seven first-round draft selections to get released or traded.
Drafted 19th in 2021 after starting one season at linebacker for Kentucky, Davis changed positions this season to give the Commanders depth on the line and give him a better chance of making the roster. His willingness to take on the challenge, coupled with his impressive athleticism, helped him find a spot on the initial 53-man roster. But he struggled to show his value: He was a healthy scratch against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6 and [had] played just 86 defensive snaps this season.
Davis’s exit clears a roster spot that could be used for rookie linebacker Jordan Magee. The fifth-round selection was placed on injured reserve before the season after undergoing knee surgery. The Commanders designated him for return this month, making Wednesday the final day in which they can add him to the roster.
The Athletic (paywall)
Commanders release 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis
Davis played sparingly this season after switching positions to edge rusher. Drafted as an inside linebacker, he made 36 starts over his first three seasons, the last two primarily playing outside following an earlier role change. He finished with seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 282 total tackles and two forced fumbles in 50 games.
Signing linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner relegated Davis to a reserve role. Talk of becoming a pass rusher began even before Washington drafted Jordan Magee in the fifth round. Magee, placed on IR before the season kicked off, is expected to be activated before his 21-day practice window closes this week.
Keeping Davis was a curious choice in real time, considering he would slot behind other natural or proven defensive ends on the depth chart. He had minimal special teams experience, a general requirement for backups, and his rookie contract expires following the season.
Rolling with Davis is the rare misstep for Peters and the front office, but hardly a significant gaffe. What’s remarkable is the Commanders’ surge is happening despite minimal help from previous drafts. Since 2018, defensive tackle Daron Payne (2018) and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (2023) are Washington’s only remaining first-round picks beyond Jayden Daniels. Forbes is one of 10 players drafted by Washington from 2020 to 2023 who are still on the roster.
ESPN
Commanders release DE Jamin Davis, 1st-round pick in 2021
Washington recently activated defensive end Efe Obada, lessening the need to keep Davis as a backup behind the top three ends: Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell and Dante Fowler Jr. The Commanders created a roster spot to activate linebacker Jordan Magee. He was placed on injured reserve, and the 21-day window to take him off the list ends Wednesday.
Also, practice squad corner Kevon Seymour was suspended six games without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Commanders.com
Mariota credits trust from teammates’ support for performance vs. Panthers
It’s never ideal for a team’s starting quarterback to miss time, and Daniels’ absence could have been viewed as an excuse for the offense to play flat for the rest of the day. The unit continued to look like one of the league’s best, and it’s a credit to the trust Mariota’s teammates had in him to get the job done.
“We have a brotherhood here, and it’s very unique, something that is very different from other teams that I’ve been on, and just that kind of belief in each other really settled me down,” Mariota said after the game.
Mariota missed the first four games of the season because of a pectoral injury but was still present in the meeting room, providing insight and guidance for Daniels as he got the Commanders to a 3-1 start.
Aside from nine snaps in the fourth quarter of Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns, Mariota stepping in to start the second drive of the first quarter was the most action he got since the preseason. It was [not] the smoothest start to his afternoon; he recorded a four-yard carry on first down, lost that progress after taking a sack on second down and missed an open Dyami Brown on third down.
It was the only stumble for the rest of the day, as Mariota and the offense scored on six consecutive possessions.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders should call the Panthers about Diontae Johnson
Johnson was a non-factor against the Commanders in Week 7, bringing in one reception from three targets for 17 receiving yards. Based on his comments after the game, which placed the blame squarely on his teammates, tensions are starting to build within a team going nowhere fast in 2024.
“I mean, frustrated, but I can’t play every position on the field and make every play, you know what I’m saying? So everybody gotta do they job when it comes down to it. So yeah, it’s tough, but I just gotta tell myself to keep going regardless.”
– Diontae Johnson via Cat Crave
The former third-round pick out of Toledo was acquired via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. It didn’t cost the Panthers anything more than a late-round pick swap and veteran cornerback Donte Jackson. But with Johnson out of contract next spring and Carolina en route to yet another losing record, getting something back for a player who could leave for nothing in free agency should be considered.
Much will depend on the compensation and whether the Commanders think Johnson is someone who can fit into their improved culture. But from a pure talent perspective, there’s a lot to like if the price is right.
Johnson remains one of the league’s most polished route runners. He’s creating more separation per route than almost anybody, but the Panthers don’t have the consistency needed under center to take advantage. That’s not the case in Washington if Daniels makes a smooth recovery after getting a week-to-week projection on his rib injury.
The Commanders also have enough spare cash next spring to offer Johnson a contract extension if he proves his worth. Securing his services and placing him opposite Terry McLaurin is a mouth-watering proposition. Carolina might not sell, but it wouldn’t cost Peters anything to call and find out one way or another.
The Athletic (paywall)
How much does Jayden Daniels’ injury shift the Bears-Commanders point spread?
Generally, every NFL player is given a value toward the actual weekly point spread, and quarterbacks are the most valuable. Positional players rarely move lines, generally affecting only the juice (or the vig) — a charge taken on bets by the sportsbooks.
So, how many points is Daniels worth toward the spread?
We talked to Thomas Gable, sportsbook director at The Borgata (a BetMGM operation in Atlantic City), to find out how much the Daniels news impacted the Bears-Commanders spread.
“A good number right now for Jayden Daniels is 3.5 to 4 points,” Gable explained. “Marcus Mariota is a serviceable backup, but compared to Daniels, the difference would be around 3.5 points, but I would lean more towards 4.”
And that’s exactly how the line has moved since Sunday. Washington opened as a 1-point home favorite at multiple sportsbooks on Sunday night, but that number quickly moved by Monday. As of writing this Tuesday, most sportsbooks, including BetMGM, now have Chicago as a 2.5-point road favorite.
Upcoming opponent
Trending: Bears podcasters are advocating for the team to intentionally “knock Jayden Daniels out” ahead of the Week 8 matchup
What are your thoughts?
(via:@TeezoLol) pic.twitter.com/4BaifzYxLR
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) October 22, 2024
Windy City Gridiron
Hot Take Tuesday: Hear me out, what if Matt Eberflus is the right coach for Caleb Williams?
Let’s look at some of the all-time greats (yeah, you heard me). When Wade Phillips was John Elway’s head coach, Elway basically operated as the team’s offensive coordinator. Peyton Manning ran the offense, Tony Dungy ran the defense. Aaron Rodgers operated the same way in Green Bay until Matt LaFleur came in.
What if, what if, what if Caleb Williams can be that type of quarterback? What if Caleb becomes so cerebral at the position that having that offensive-minded head coach isn’t important? What if having a defensive-minded head coach is exactly what Caleb needs?
Eberflus can run the defense, and Caleb can run the offense.
The way Caleb Williams sees the game is different. He is on his way to not only being a great quarterback but one of those quarterbacks that sees it differently- like Peyton Manning. Like Tom Brady. Like Aaron Rodgers.
Will Caleb Williams get there? I think he will, I really do. Brian Baldinger told CHGO last year that Caleb Williams had a better grasp of the whiteboard then many NFL QBs… when he was in high school! He’s different. This could work. It really could.
Podcasts & videos
Panthers Review, Bears Preview with Scott Jackson & Fred’s Mystery | Get Loud | Commanders
John Keim talks with the voice of the Commanders Bram Weinstein after the team’s 40-7 win over Carolina
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin Talks Jayden Daniels Injury & More with Rich Eisen | Full Interview