A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East and the NFL in general
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Articles
Washington Post (paywall)
The Commanders’ O-line looked like a vulnerability. It has become a strength.
Jayden Daniels has earned plenty of praise for Washington’s 3-1 start. But look in the trenches for another reason.
Four games in, the Commanders are off to a 3-1 start and their line has blossomed from a perceived weakness in training camp into an undeniable strength of an offense that ranks sixth in the NFL in total yards.
“They’re keeping me upright,” Daniels said Wednesday. “Everything starts with them. So, we wouldn’t be in any of this position without them. So, shout-out to them.”
The improvement up front was especially noticeable in Week 3, when the Commanders went to Cincinnati on a Monday night and knocked off a team expected to contend for the AFC title. After being plagued by presnap penalties and spotty protection during the season’s first two weeks, the line found a level of consistency and physicality that allowed Daniels to flourish.
Washington’s O-line has allowed quarterback pressures on 26.9 percent of Daniels’s dropbacks, the sixth-lowest rate in the league, per TruMedia. The offense’s 324 rushing yards in the past two games are the second-most in the league, and its 4.6-yard average ranks fourth.
According to ESPN’s metrics, the Commanders sit atop the league in run blocking (76 percent win rate) and rank eighth in pass-blocking (66 percent win rate).
Not bad for a group that welcomed two new veteran starters in Biadasz and left guard Nick Allegretti as well as third-round rookie tackle Brandon Coleman.
Coach Dan Quinn credited center Biadasz for helping bring the group together.
Washington Post (paywall)
These Commanders are rekindling an old familiar feeling
For one tortured fan, Jayden Daniels and these Commanders are making it okay to care again.
I carried a shortwave radio behind the Iron Curtain so I could listen to Washington’s “Monday Night Football” season opener against the Cowboys in 1985. (I got up at 3 in the morning in East Germany, only to hear a scratchy Armed Forces Radio broadcast of an aged Joe Theismann throwing five picks to gift Dallas a 44-14 win.) I took the weekend off in January 1992 when Mark Rypien and crew, the best Washington football team ever, made it to the Super Bowl. I wanted to witness in person, and I did, the victory I was certain they’d pull off.
But most of the past 10 years painfully pulverized my passion. So much that I couldn’t even watch anymore.
[T]he last time I passed through a magnetometer to sit in the stands was 2018. A friend had tickets. I shrugged my shoulders and went. It was only the second time since Robert Griffin III’s rookie season that I mustered enough interest to go. But I felt like an attendee at a party where I knew no one. The irrational fanaticism that fueled me growing up was extinguished.
But with all the changes the franchise has gone through the past 14 months — Josh Harris buying the team, the innovative assembly of what appears to be a competent front office, the drafting of the Heisman trophy-winning quarterback from LSU and the injection of dozens of other new players — I decided to do something at the start of this season I hadn’t done in years. I carved out the time, like in the old days. I took a seat on the couch. And I watched from kickoff to completion the first Washington game of the season. Then I watched the second, and the third, and …
My friend with whom I went to that last Washington home game, for which I had no pulse, texted: “I got tickets against the Browns. You back in or what?”
So, I’m going to the Browns game. I’m sticking my toe back in the water. Maybe a whole foot. And I know I’m not alone. Maybe you, too, saw this note the other day from our forever sports broadcaster, Johnny Holliday.
“The last time I saw Washington play in person was the last game at [FedEx Field] for Charley Casserly as GM,” he wrote. “We were guest[s] in his box and [Casserly] let me know [Daniel] Snyder was going to shove him out the door the coming week. I think it’s time to see em play in person again. WOW what a start.”
It’s about time. And I’m looking forward to it.
ESPN
NFL Week 5 picks, schedule, odds, injuries, fantasy tips
Browns (1-3) at Commanders (3-1)
1 p.m. ET | Fox | ESPN BET: WSH -3 (43.5 O/U)
Browns storyline to watch: The Browns continue to struggle on offense, and now they face the NFL’s hottest offense, so it’s imperative for Cleveland’s defense to return to its elite 2023 form for the team to have a chance. The Browns have struggled to bring players to the ground, allowing 2.24 yards after contact after rush, the worst mark in the league. The Commanders rank third in rushing yards per game (169.3) and sixth in yards after contact per rush (2.11). — Daniel Oyefusi
Commanders storyline to watch: Washington’s defense played its best game last week against Arizona, holding the Cardinals to 115 total passing yards as it sacked QB Kyler Murray four times. The Commanders prevented him from hurting them off schedule, something they’ll have to do against Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson as well. But the Commanders remain bad versus the run, allowing 5.3 yards per carry, which ranks 31st in the NFL. The Browns rank 17th rushing the ball at 4.3 yards per carry. — John Keim
Stat to know: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ four rushing touchdowns are tied for the most by a quarterback through his first four games in NFL history. Cam Newton (2011) and Anthony Richardson (2023) are the only quarterbacks with five rushing touchdowns through five games since 1970.
Bold prediction: Commanders defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne will have big games, with at least 1.5 sacks and five combined tackles between them. With Wyatt Teller (knee) injured, the interior of the Browns’ offensive line is hurting. Christian Wilkins took advantage last week, and Washington’s duo will do the same. — Walder
Injuries: Browns | Commanders
Fantasy X factor: Watson. He has struggled this season, averaging just 13.7 fantasy points per game. Even with top receivers Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy, he hasn’t thrown for over 200 yards in a single game. The Commanders rank sixth in total yards allowed per game and third in points per game. Given that the Commanders allow the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, this could be a prime opportunity for Watson to turn things around. See Week 5 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: Overs are 8-2 in Cleveland road games since the start of last season. Read more.
Matchup must-reads: Chubb returns to practice, says knee feels good … Commanders’ Daniels on success: ‘Still a rookie’ … Watson downplays sideline spat: ‘Got to execute’ … Daniels shakes off first INT, keeps Commanders rolling
Riggo’s Rag
Updated strength of schedule gives Commanders hope for 2024 fairytale
The feel-good factor could last a while yet.
Commanders have ninth-easiest strength of schedule after first quarter of 2024
Pro Football Network’s updated strength of schedule based on the results over the first quarter of 2024 indicates this feel-good factor could continue. The Commanders have the ninth-easiest slate (24th hardest). That doesn’t guarantee anything, but it doesn’t hurt that’s for sure.
Strength of schedule for all 32 NFL teams heading into the first bye week of the season.
*Ranked hardest to easiest* pic.twitter.com/Xbi65rp2M8
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 2, 2024
Football isn’t played on paper or a perceived strength of schedule. This is a small positive for the Commanders, but it counts for nothing if they cannot keep this newfound positivity going forward and stack more wins in the column.
That’s the biggest objective for Quinn right now. Expectations for his squad are growing with every dominant victory. But taking things one game at a time and suring up the foundations is key.
The Athletic (paywall)
Cleveland Browns at Washington Commanders odds, expert picks, how to watch: Jayden Daniels gets test against Cleveland’s front
Abysmal offense plagued Cleveland’s first month of play. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has already taken a league-leading 19 sacks and his longest pass this season is only 30 yards — the lowest among 25 qualified passers in the league.
The team’s backfield lacks playmakers without injured Nick Chubb. And the Browns offensive line was missing up to four starters during most of Week 4’s loss to the Raiders.
Washington’s subpar defense gives an opening for Cleveland to make plays. The Commanders are 25th in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed so far this season as the team’s absurd offensive production has masked the team’s defensive deficiencies.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders fantasy football starts and sits for Week 5 vs. the Browns
Which Commanders players are you rolling out into your lineups this week?
Starts
Jayden Daniels
At this point, Jayden Daniels is the QB1 in fantasy. There is no one you should be looking to start over him – unless you have Josh Allen. That’s it.
We all know how much fantasy success Daniels’ legs can bring, but his arm is getting a lot of points regularly, too. The Browns are currently the seventh-hardest matchup for quarterbacks in fantasy. But the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly becoming match-up proof.
Start Daniels confidently every week.
Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler has been making the most of his touches. He is the primary passing-down running back, which certainly helps, but he has also been very efficient on the ground thus far.
He missed Week 4 with a concussion but will be ready this weekend. Start Ekeler as a flex play against the Browns. The veteran’s fantasy potential immediately elevates if Brian Robinson Jr. cannot go.
Sits
Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz has been a starting-caliber fantasy tight end almost every week in 2024. However, rookie Ben Sinnott has been gaining snaps every week, going up to 30 in Week 4.
In Week 4, Ertz was held to only three receptions and 22 receiving yards. Start him in deeper leagues, but leave him on the bench aside from that.
Washington Post (paywall)
The ultimate fan’s guide for Commanders-Browns game day
Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders are set to meet the Cleveland Browns at home this Sunday. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of kickoff.
Key matchup
Washington LTs Brandon Coleman and Cornelius Lucas vs. Cleveland DE Myles Garrett
The Commanders’ offensive line has protected Daniels well through four games, allowing nine sacks. The rookie Coleman and veteran Lucas have held their own while splitting snaps at left tackle. Coleman earned a team-best 86.6 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus in last week’s win over the Arizona Cardinals, and Lucas is one of a dozen NFL offensive linemen who have yet to be beaten by a bull rush. Garrett presents the duo’s most difficult test yet. Despite dealing with injuries to both feet, the three-time all-pro and reigning NFL defensive player of the year has four sacks, including two last week, and two forced fumbles through four games. On the other side of the ball, the Browns have allowed an NFL-high 19 sacks. Washington’s defensive line, which has averaged just two sacks per game, could feast.
Upcoming opponent
Dawgs by Nature
Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Commanders NFL Week 5 Preview and Prediction
Cleveland faces a hot team as they look to break out of their slump.
- [T]he Washington Commanders are the most intriguing offense in football for me. As our Commanders affiliate pointed out, they have the 3rd-highest run rate in the NFL. They started things simple with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, but he has picked things up very well. In his last three games, he has completed 70-of-82 passes (85%) for 713 yards and 3 touchdowns. That level of efficiency is off-the-charts.
- On the ground, Daniels also has 46 rushes for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns. Their offensive line is run blocking well. Daniels has been sacked 9 times, but he had a clean sheet last week.
- One factor we always try to consider, though, is what type of defenses has the opposition faced so far? They’ve played the Buccaneers (18th), Giants (12th), Bengals (15th), and Cardinals (28th). Cleveland would be the best defense they’ve faced, but it’s not like they’ve been facing complete trash. The thing that worries me is this: teams are getting smarter about knowing how to beat the Browns’ aggressive defense by running plays to the edge and the boundary. That doesn’t mean the defense is getting smoked every drive, but with the offense struggling, that means the other team is getting a few key drives that allow the team to grab the lead.
Predictions
Here are predictions from multiple staff members at DBN.
Chris Pokorny: “I’ve picked the Browns to win each game this season. In the first case, against Dallas, I was going with the season-opening hype. In the following three games, they were against teams who I still feel the Browns are superior to, and they went 1-2 in that stretch, largely due to a number of self-inflicted mistakes. Now, they face a Washington offense that is clicking on all cylinders in terms of efficiency, and playing smart football. The Browns’ defense is solid, but still has weaknesses; and if these bad teams are exploiting the edge, so will Washington. If the Browns’ offense was crisper, I’d lean more toward picking Cleveland, but until they prove they can score 20+ points in a game, it’s just a losing effort to roll with our beloved team.” Commanders 23, Browns 17
Barry Shuck: “Difficult to pick the Browns any week, eh? They lost to bad teams in the Raiders and especially the Giants. Geez. This offense is horrible. Getting Nick Chubb, Nyheim Hines, and David Njoku back will certainly help. This receiver group is a crap shoot. Jerry Jeudy has been fair to good, Amari Cooper has been good to fair while Elijah Moore and Ced Tillman have gone AWOL. The offensive line is the worst group in the league. This talented defense just can’t stay on the field all these minutes this lousy offense puts them through. Good thing the Browns have a good kicker and a great punter! Washington is a very good team – #3 passing offense. Browns can’t run, can’t block, and can’t pass with zero playmakers so far this season.” Commanders 37, Browns 13
Ezweav: “It’s just not falling right for the good guys. Was really disappointing to be left without a replacement for Jordan Hicks, and then subsequently not be able to stop the run. It’s hard to believe that could happen again to us after 2022, but here we are.
Watz still isn’t good enough and the OL play (particularly the embarrassingly poor performance of Dawand Jones) is usually good for stopping 2-3 drives per game. And if somehow we do manage to complete the process of not defecating all over ourselves for the span of a full, singular offensive play, that’s when the impressive incompetence of the officiating staff gets demonstrated in leaping, screaming fashion (shout out to Myles still getting held on every play).” Commanders 25, Browns 17
Podcasts & videos
HC Dan Quinn Previews Cleveland Browns Vs. Washington Commanders | The Gameplan
The John Riggins Show 10.03.24
NFC East links
ESPN
NFL Week 5 picks, schedule, odds, injuries, fantasy tips
Giants (1-3) at Seahawks (3-1)
4:25 p.m. ET | CBS | ESPN BET: SEA -6.5 (43.5 O/U)
Giants storyline to watch: Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt has just three targets and no catches in the first four weeks. It’s his time to shine with rookie standout wideout Malik Nabers dealing with a concussion. Nabers is averaging 13 targets per game. That should create plenty of opportunities for Hyatt, last year’s third-round pick, even if it won’t be easy against a Seahawks defense that has allowed just nine receptions of 20 or more yards this season. — Jordan Raanan
Seahawks storyline to watch: The Seahawks are trying to bounce back from their worst defensive performance of the season. The 42 points they allowed in their loss to Detroit on Monday night was more than double what they had allowed in any of their first three games, though it came with roughly half their defense sidelined with injuries. They’re hoping to get Leonard Williams (ribs), Uchenna Nwosu (knee), Boye Mafe (knee), Julian Love (thigh) and Jerome Baker (hamstring) back this week. — Brady Henderson
Stat to know: The Seahawks are tied for the fourth-most sacks in the NFL with 14. Seattle has recorded at least three sacks in each of past three games.
Bold prediction: Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton will have five or more receptions. If Nabers misses this game, those targets are going to have to go somewhere, and they can’t all go to Wan’Dale Robinson. Though Slayton hasn’t gotten a ton of targets, he has been solid with a 62 open score this year. — Walder
Fantasy X factor: Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. Metcalf has been on fire lately, averaging 10.6 targets and 21.5 fantasy points over his past three games. Known for running a high percentage of his routes on the outside, Metcalf faces a Giants defense that surrenders the fourth-most fantasy points to outside receivers. Expect a big game for Metcalf against Giants cornerback Deonte Banks. See Week 5 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: All four Giants games have gone under the total this season. Read more.
Matchup must-reads: Giants ‘disappointed but not discouraged’ going into Week 5 … Why Seahawks plan to lean on RB Walker more … Seahawks add veteran lineman Peters to practice squad
Cowboys (2-2) at Steelers (3-1)
8:20 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock | ESPN BET: PIT -2.5 (44.5 O/U)
Cowboys storyline to watch: The Cowboys will be without their two best players on defense in Micah Parsons (ankle) and DeMarcus Lawrence (foot), facing the 10th-best rushing offense. Can they show necessary consistency against a Steelers offense that averaged 34.5 rushing attempts per game despite averaging just 3.7 yards per carry? The Cowboys are 27th in run defense but gave up just 26 rushing yards last week. Without their two best edge rushers, the Cowboys will have to contain QB Justin Fields as a runner and thrower. — Todd Archer
Steelers storyline to watch: The Steelers’ defense had an uncharacteristic performance in Week 4, giving up a season-high 27 points to the Colts and allowing them to convert 53% of third downs, also a season high. While the Colts used big plays to put the Steelers on their heels, the Cowboys’ offense hasn’t been nearly as explosive. The Cowboys, who will be without WR2 Brandin Cooks (knee infection), have just 15 total passes over 20 yards or carries over 10 yards, marking the second-lowest total in the league. — Brooke Pryor
Stat to know: The Cowboys are averaging a league-low 75.3 rushing yards per game. That’s the fourth-worst mark in franchise history through the first four games.
Bold prediction: Steelers running back Najee Harris will have 100-plus rushing yards. Even after the Cowboys allowed a league-low 1.2 yards per designed running play to the Giants, they still are the worst team in the league in terms of EPA allowed per designed carry. Harris should be able to take advantage. — Walder
Fantasy X factor: Fields. He made history against the Colts, becoming the first Steelers player to throw for 300 yards, rush for 50 yards and score two rushing touchdowns in a single game. This week, Fields has a great matchup against a Cowboys defense that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Dallas also ranks fifth in rushing yards allowed to QBs, which bodes well for Fields’ dual-threat abilities. See Week 5 rankings. — Moody
Matchup must-reads: Cowboys counting on depth with Parsons, Lawrence injured … Tomlin leaning toward sticking with hot hand at QB in Fields
Bleeding Green Nation
Bryce Huff has been less than zero
$34M to get in some cardio
Bryce Huff has been an absolute dud. 0 sacks, 0 pressures, 0 tackles for loss. Maybe he should have picked a different jersey number.
Brian Baldinger recently pointed out that the Eagles are misusing him by having him be a stand up edge rusher, and he’s not wrong to think that. 9 of his 10 sacks last year with the Jets came from his hand in the ground as a proper defensive end, and the Eagles are asking him to be a stand up linebacker.
The biggest takeaway isn’t that his sacks came from him in a three point stance. It’s that they almost exclusively came with him in a three point stance out of the wide 9.
Huff is looking like just another one year double digit sack wonder like Kyler Fackrell (10.5 sacks in 2018, 13.5 in 70 other games), or Romeo Okwara (10 sacks in 2020, 15 in 76 other games), or Josh Uche (11.5 sacks in 2022, 8 in 40 other games).
For cap reasons Huff can’t be cut or traded until 2026 so the Eagles are stuck with this. In the short term, Vic Fangio has but one option to try to get production out of Huff, to play him on passing downs.
Bryce Huff is the 14th highest paid edge rusher by fully guaranteed money. It’s past time to start playing like it.
Big Blue View
Week 5 poll results: Most fans think the Giants will win 1 game in October
Prior to the season, John Mara declined to define his expectations for the team, simply stating that he expected them to be “better” than they were a year ago. Last year, the Giants started with a 2-6 record after September and October.
With that in mind, we asked the Big Blue View community how many games they thought the Giants would win this month. Most of you believe that they’ll have the same record come November 1st, 2024 as they had on November 1st, 2023.
With 71 percent of fans believing the Giants would win one (or no) games in October, and head into their bye week with at best a 4-6 record and at worst a 1-9 record, it’s tough to say that the team is “better”.
There would almost certainly be consequences for a start like that. We can’t say what those consequences would be at this point. Perhaps the Giants would position themselves as sellers at the trade deadline. Or perhaps we’d start to hear rumors of Brian Daboll or Joe Schoen being on the hot seat — followed by a vote of confidence from John Mara
NFL league links
Articles
Pro Football Talk
Report: Rashee Rice to have knee surgery next week
Exploratory surgery is a term that had gone the way of 8-track tapes and full-service gasoline. It sounds as if it’s making a comeback.
Via Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice will have surgery this week to determine the severity of the knee injury he suffered last week against the Chargers. And, yes, it sounds exploratory.
Rice will see a specialist “with plans to undergo an arthroscopic procedure to help ascertain the damage in his knee.” At that point, Rice and the Chiefs presumably will know whether he can play again this year.
I’ve been doing this for 24 years. I can’t remember a knee injury that could only be diagnosed with surgery. Maybe it’s happened and I just forget. Maybe it was never explained that way. Regardless, this seems unusual.