Commanders’ offense will look different in Eagles rematch

ASHBURN, Va. — By means of 9 weeks of the 2022 season, the Washington Commanders worst offensive effort got here in Week 3 throughout a 24-8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Carson Wentz was sacked 9 instances within the loss, as Washington completed with simply 240 web yards on the afternoon, simply 50 coming within the first half.

The Commanders get one other crack at Philadelphia, the NFL’s final undefeated crew, this Monday at Lincoln Monetary Subject. And Scott Turner’s offense will look totally different from its poor effort in Week 3.

The obvious change in Washington’s offense is the participant beneath heart. Wentz’s first time again in Philadelphia as a visiting participant will include him standing on the sideline attributable to a finger damage, as Taylor Heinicke is about to make his fourth straight begin.

Statistically, Washington’s offense has been marginally extra productive with Heinicke beneath heart; the Commanders have averaged extra factors and whole yards with No. 4 beneath heart. Two of Heinicke’s three begins have resulted in victories, with the lone loss coming by way of a blown 10-point fourth-quarter lead final week versus Minnesota.

“I believe there’s been some ups and downs with each guys,” offensive coordinator Scott Turner stated. “I believe lots of it has to do with who you are taking part in.”

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The Heinicke-led Commanders offense is way from the Best Present on Turf. In every of Heinicke’s begins, the offense has skilled prolonged lulls, stopping the group from ever actually gaining momentum.

“That is sort of a weekly deal the place now we have good drives and we simply stall out,” Heinicke stated Wednesday. “We simply bought to both convert third downs or cease hurting ourselves. It is a kind of two issues. So, I believe if we simply maintain engaged on that, actually honing on that and apply and get higher at these issues, we are able to put up some extra factors.”

All of those points are ones that should get mounted with a view to pull off the upset this week in opposition to the Eagle.

Though Philadelphia has but to face Heinicke this season, he is a well-recognized opponent for the Eagles protection. Led by defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, the Eagles returned lots of the identical items from 2021; that mostly-same group went up in opposition to the Heinicke in Week 17 of final yr, a sport Washington’s QB almost gained earlier than throwing a late-game interception to seal an Eagles win.

“That [Week 17] sport caught with me all through the entire offseason,” Heinicke stated. “All the pieces that we went by means of final yr and to have an opportunity to go to the playoffs there, we’re driving down the sector, we’re shifting the ball and that final throw was unlucky. [John] Bates sort of tripped up on that dude’s foot. I believe if he did not, he would possibly’ve caught that factor and scored. You sort of simply return and take into consideration that play. What if he caught that and scored would possibly’ve made him the playoffs and who is aware of what it might’ve occurred?”

The highlight will probably be particularly brilliant on Heinicke this week and never simply because Commanders-Eagles is a primetime matchup.

Wentz is eligible to return from IR following this week’s sport. Head coach Ron Rivera declined to say whether or not the crew will keep on with Heinicke or insert Wentz again into the lineup when he is wholesome to return. Not less than for now, the job is open.

Heinicke is not placing any additional strain on himself a technique or one other.

“My position this yr was to be again as much as Carson and if he went down, be able to play,” Heinicke stated. “I really feel like I’ve carried out that. I bought yet another at the very least and we’ll see what occurs. However I am simply going on the market and attempting to win video games for this crew, and in the event that they wish to put Carson again in, nice, I will be one of the best backup I may be to him and assist him in any method I can. However for me proper now, I simply go in there and attempt to do one of the best I can.”

Washington’s change at quarterback shouldn’t be the one important distinction within the Commanders’ offense from Week 3 till now. Rookie operating again Brian Robinson Jr. — dealt with a large chunk of the carries since making his NFL debut 5 weeks in the past — was on the non-football damage listing the final time these two groups met. 

Final week, Philadelphia’s run protection had a troublesome time slowing Texans operating again Damien Pierce, who completed the night time with 139 yards on 27 carries. Maybe Washington — a membership that went on a four-game profitable streak in 2021 by operating the soccer successfully, controlling the time of possession and taking part in sound protection — can replicate that method by leaning closely on Robinson and Antonio Gibson.

“I believe he is doing nicely. He can proceed to be extra decisive,” Turner stated on Robinson. “I believe the extra he performs, the extra he will get snug. He’ll proceed to play quicker and quicker and his velocity and physicality will present up an increasing number of.”

Washington’s offensive line had a day to neglect when these two golf equipment matched up in Week 3. Wentz was sacked a season-high 9 instances within the sport, one thing the QB took duty for after the competition, nevertheless it was nonetheless a tough outing for the unit as an entire.

This Monday, the Commanders can have a special search for entrance than they did in Week 3. Proper sort out Sam Cosmi has not performed since injuring his finger in Week 4 in opposition to Dallas. Wes Schweitzer, who began at heart for Washington in opposition to Philadelphia earlier this season, is on IR. Present Commanders starter Tyler Larsen is coping with a again damage, which means veteran Nick Martin might be thrust again into the lineup if Larsen is unable to go.

Regardless of the shifting elements alongside the Commanders’ offensive line, the group wants a a lot better effort this week in opposition to Philadelphia than they bought seven weeks in the past.

“We have got to deal with their entrance,” Turner stated. “Clearly, we have to dam ’em, however we bought to assist these guys out with getting the ball out. Guys [have] get open rapidly. We may give ’em some assist with a number of the different gamers, change schemes on ’em, all these sorts of issues. However that is the factor. We [have to] do a extremely good job upfront dealing with that group of men up there and the way nicely that they play.”

The Commanders might obtain a lift on the skin this week, too, as Jahan Dotson was a full participant in apply on Friday for the primary time since injuring his hamstring in Week 4. Dotson, who’s nonetheless the crew’s receiving touchdowns chief (4) regardless of lacking 5 of the crew’s 9 video games, would clearly present a serious enhance for Turner’s unit.

If Dotson is ready to play on Monday, it will mark the primary time Washington’s prime three receivers — Dotson, Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel — wholesome with Heinicke at quarterback. That ought to solely assist an offense that has flashed at instances but additionally struggled in bunches, too.

“It might be big,” Turner stated. “Clearly when he performed early within the season and he had a knack for getting ultimately zone and making some huge performs. I believe he is on monitor. I do not find out about [his status] for certain this week, however he is getting wholesome after which seeing him transfer round is nice, so it might be huge to get one other playmaker out [there].”