Considering this is the last of my season previews, I just want to quickly thank everyone who has followed the series!
NFL content will be continuing throughout the season, so stay tuned. Alright, into the Commanders
An off-season that included a name change and a quarterback change but unfortunately for Washington fans, I have a feeling this will be the same old team.
Strength
Washington was unbelievably uninspiring last season and statistically it is hard to find a strength. But you only have to look at their defensive front and talent wise, it is top five in the NFL. Jonathon Allen and Daron Payne are the best defensive tackle duo in the NFL and Chase Young and Montez Sweat are an exciting pass rush duo.
Their production didn’t match their talent last season, but I have faith it will this season.
Weakness
The pass defence for the now Commanders last season was nothing short of horrific. They ranked 29th for yards conceded, dead last for touchdown passes conceded and 28th for net passing yards allowed per attempt. The most confusing aspect of this for me is that they are rolling with exactly the same secondary coming into this season!
Player to watch
Chase Young was dynamic in his rookie season, winning 2020 defensive rookie of the year after recording 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL last season and missed the second half of the year, but only recorded 1.5 sacks in his eight full games.
If Young can return with no hinderance from his surgery, he is a seriously exciting young player.
Who’s under pressure?
One of the few times I don’t chose a player for this segment, but Ron Rivera must be under pressure. As a Panthers fan, this hurts because I have nothing but love for Ron considering what he did as well as his personal story beating cancer.
But the reality of the football side is that he is a defensive-orientated coach with one of the worst defences in the NFL statistically. If he can’t turn that unit around and they finish with a losing record, I can’t see Rivera in Washington this time next season.
Projection
I was so high on Washington last season after making the playoffs in 2020 and improving their roster going into 2021. But they regressed badly, and the desperation is evident with the acquisition of Carson Wentz.
I have no reason to trust Wentz will be the thing that turns this franchise around and with similar personnel, I can’t see this defence doing a 180!
Win/loss: 6-11.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yep our secondary is a concern so I am pinning my hopes on Benjamin St-Juste being fit as he was great when he did play and has been tearing it up in camp plus William Jackson III took half. Season to get used to the new system but was great after that. Linebackers are a big concern as well. But the secondary will be helped out by the offence having a better QB and more than one target. That will be a huge thing. Our pass protection will still be very good. I still don’t see us being a 11 win team as some have us but no way we lose four without major injuries
Jake Smith
Roar Rookie
One of the most strategic and in-depth sports in the world, awesome to watch!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Well why not? I see quite a few similarities between all football codes actually. It's all about players in motion and the ball being faster than the defence can re align.
Jake Smith
Roar Rookie
Thankyou for the kind words, I appreciate it!! Hopefully I can help develop an interest in the sport!
Jake Smith
Roar Rookie
I have been waiting for this!!! I will give you the fact Wentz is a SLIGHT upgrade on Heinicke but your O-Line has got significantly worse, the loss of Scherff will be felt hard. Wentz also won’t have the running game to lean on like he did in Indy, forcing him to take more risks and inevitably more turnovers The defence has to get better, and I’m not sure there were big changes going into last season with William Jackson and Kam Curl the only new starters (from memory). If it isn’t improved this year it will be trouble! I am glad you replied and while I do agree with some points, I can’t see them making the playoffs
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am assuming that is a reply to me? The schedule is rated one of the easiest in the NFL this season, compared to last season where we played every top tier QB there is. I don't know how Dallas got such an easy winners schedule. Luck I guess. As for Wentz, to me he is a little like Dak, good in the regular season but crumbles at the pointy end. I am not sold on Wentz yet, he has to prove it, but if he puts up numbers like last year then we are much better off. Draft position is irrelevant and my man Heinicke gets to be the long term back up which is way ahead of where is was heading before putting the wind up Brady. It is crazy how widely fluctuating the Commanders predictions are, lots have us winning 4 games, others 12. I still think we are a 8-10 win team. I only started following them once they got rid of that horrific name so I am already used to Commanders :stoked:. Dax Milne is my smoky long shot prediction, Dotson is a near lock to be very good, which is what every one is hoping happens so teams can't triple cover scary Terrry.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Jake...I know zero about your subject. But mate you clearly have a very good handle on it! Well done! It's a very well written set of articles...congratulations! Love the passion.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
Whilst Wentz is an upgrade over Heinicke, I don't think he's actually that much of an upgrade (certainly not considering Wentz was a #2 pick and Heinicke went undrafted). So they may improve, but I'm not sure if they've improved as much as the Eagles have, and they may end up just treading water. As to their easier schedule this year than last, in 2021 they played the NFC South and AFC West and went 3-1 and 1-3 respectively. This year they are playing the NFC North and AFC South, so will get games against the Texans, Jaguars and Lions, but will also have to play the Titans, Colts, Packers and Vikings, so it may end up more of a wash. To qualify for the playoffs they'll probably have to win 10 games, and while the Commanders (still feels odd to know them as that) may improve, I'm not sure that they'll improve enough.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Ok Mr Jake Smith, I promised you a rebuttal so here goes :stoked: First up on the 6 wins, last year Washington had an extraordinarily hard schedule and this year it is one of the easiest. Combine that with Wentz at QB, a QB who based on last years form is a big upgrade from Heinicke and the improvement on the receiver room and I think there is no way we finish with less than 7 wins. And I am only not going 10 or above because of the improvement in the Eagles and the struggles Washington has in beating Dak and Danny Dimes. You mention no improvement on defense but if you look there was big changes last year and that took half a season to gel. The second half of the year was a big improvement and was only derailed by covid wreaking the roster in the last few games. Chase Young has to play smarter if he is going to be this big super star. Look out for Dotson to be a big surprise and hopefully Curtis Samuel is fit and firing ( right now that doesn't look good though) and I am betting Dax Milne has a bit of a break out year. Washington are much better than people give them credit for and the pathetic owner is hiding that to a degree. I think we are an 8-10 win team and hopefully get a wild card, or even better score the NFC East title.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
It would have been much more epic to stay named Washington Football Team. As-is, not much to like about this team. You’ve got this one pegged pretty well.