HOUSTON — Jonathan Allen, nonetheless in his NFL-branded undershirt and burgundy soccer pants, stood in entrance of assembled reporters following the Washington Commanders’ fifth win in six video games. So far as anybody may inform, his shirt was not stained from a Busch Gentle bathe. Nor was he carrying his teammates’ costly gold and platinum chains round his neck, able to grow to be Instagram well-known.
Washington
Perspective | The Commanders are cruising. Forget the details and just enjoy it.
He didn’t appear overly excited in regards to the 23-10 victory over the Houston Texans. Allen comes from the College of Alabama soccer manufacturing unit, the place profitable is respiration. So Sunday was only one extra stackable win, not a championship.
However simply as Allen was providing his perception in monotone, a reporter requested, “Are you having enjoyable?” And the strangest factor occurred to Allen’s face. His eyes softened. The perimeters of his lips curled up. And in case you didn’t know any higher, Allen, the Commanders’ cowl boy for stoicism, was really smiling.
That’s how properly issues are going for the Washington Commanders. Wait. Test that. The on-the-bubble-for-a-wild-card-spot Washington Commanders. On the finish of the softest a part of the schedule, they’ve emerged with a 6-5 (profitable!) file, a way of peace at quarterback and a complete lot of momentum. They’ll spend the remainder of the season making an attempt to be among the many high seven groups within the NFC.
So, Commanders followers, it’s okay to drink this up. Pop open a chilly one, rock your best jewellery and have a good time simply as Taylor Heinicke did Monday evening following that momentous win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Coach Ron Rivera won’t have appreciated the boozy celebration sure gamers streamed on social media. However the enjoyable police shouldn’t cease you — you poor, poor fan, oppressed by the reign of Daniel Snyder.
As of late, your loyalty has been paying off. The Commanders have rebounded from a 1-4 begin thanks largely to a protection in overdrive and a forgiving schedule that got here on the most fortuitous time. Beginning in Week 6, 4 of the Commanders’ subsequent six opponents had shedding data. So, taking away that Monday evening victory over the unbeaten Eagles — a triumph so vital that it would outline the season in addition to Rivera’s tenure — the Commanders have feasted on a cavalcade of cupcakes.
On Sunday, they lastly reached the gooey middle, assembly the Texans, a franchise higher suited as a doormat than an NFL staff. This might’ve been a entice sport, particularly after the win in Philly. As an alternative, the Commanders displayed maturity in not performing as if Philly was their Tremendous Bowl and arriving in Houston to place in work.
“One of many details of emphasis this week was, ‘Yeah, it was an important win on Monday, however the factor that would erase all of that was coming down right here and laying an egg,’ ” Heinicke mentioned. “I felt the fellows battled via. Once more, it wasn’t the cleanest sport, but it surely’s a win nonetheless.”
And it was one other win for the newly minted beginning quarterback. Earlier than kickoff, NFL Community and ESPN reported that Rivera had determined to stay with Heinicke and transfer Carson Wentz to the backup position as soon as he returns from his finger damage.
“We’re going to go along with Taylor,” Rivera confirmed after the sport.
This settles, for now, the staff’s most urgent query, and the previous few weeks ought to’ve made this a straightforward name. This staff has performed properly for Heinicke and gained. However Heinicke has benefited enormously from one thing Wentz by no means had throughout his six weeks in cost: wholeness surrounding him.
Washington’s working sport has clicked with the added energy of rookie Brian Robinson Jr., who returned the identical week Wentz went down. The protection went from posting simply two takeaways in six weeks (each coming within the Oct. 13 win at Chicago, the sport through which Wentz fractured his ring finger) to 10 for the reason that reboot of the Heinicke period.
Ought to Heinicke deserve the credit score for sprinkling fairy mud all around the locker room? In all probability not, however the locker room loves him. And in the meanwhile, this can be a profitable locker room.
“Coach [Nick] Saban used to at all times say that the staff decides the beginning quarterback,” Allen mentioned. “Each time he comes into play, the staff simply rallies round him. The offense rallies round him. Can’t actually perceive it, can’t actually clarify it. It simply is what it’s.”
Even Sunday, Heinicke regarded fortunate at instances and never particular. On his first drop-back, he badly overthrew Terry McLaurin with a ball that ought to’ve been intercepted. Nonetheless, he threw for 191 yards, the staff rushed for 153, and Joey Slye related on three subject targets.
Although Washington’s offense produced lukewarm outcomes, nothing fairly in comparison with the offensive drudgery of the 2022 Houston Texans. The franchise has nosedived since racking up six AFC South titles from 2011 to 2019. After benching after which buying and selling franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson — and his baggage — to Cleveland, the Texans have gained simply 5 video games over the previous season and a half.
This season, because the Texans have stacked up losses at dwelling — they haven’t gained at NRG Stadium since Dec. 26 — some Houstonians haven’t discovered a brand new interest to fill their Sunday afternoons. Die-hards, together with loads of Commanders followers, had been scattered throughout the pink and blue seats. And the Texans rewarded their loyalty with a putrid offensive efficiency.
Within the first half, 4 of Houston’s six possessions resulted in three-and-outs. The others: a pick-six gifted from Davis Mills to Commanders cornerback Kendall Fuller and a six-play possession that netted 4 yards.
For kicks and giggles, a enjoyable train would’ve been to start out the Texans’ offense within the pink zone, blindfold the Commanders’ entrance 4 and, after the snap, give Mills a “one Mississippi, two Mississippi,” all the best way to twenty. Then, wait to see if the Texans may make a play for optimistic yardage. Judging by how Allen, Daron Payne and Montez Sweat took up residence within the Texans’ backfield and the way Washington’s secondary hounded the receivers, that wouldn’t have been sufficient.
Nonetheless, Washington had enjoyable anyway — as evidenced by the smile on Allen’s face.
“We simply attempt to have enjoyable,” he mentioned. “Soccer is a really powerful sport and really hectic. And other people see it on Sundays, however they actually don’t see what goes into it Monday via … Saturday. And if the common fan actually noticed what soccer was like, I believe so much can be turned off. It’s a nasty sport. And it’s bodily, and it’s powerful, and it’s emotionally draining. So when you might have success, as a result of it’s very exhausting to make performs within the NFL, you bought to get pleasure from each other.”
Allen may’ve been speaking in regards to the expertise of being a Commanders fan. It’s powerful and emotionally draining. However these days, soccer has been the main focus, and that ought to give anybody who cheers this staff a cause to benefit from the second.
Empty energy or not, a win over a cupcake continues to be a win. Soak it in, as a result of the subsequent 4 video games (in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Giants twice and the San Francisco 49ers) will take a look at the Commanders as they tackle groups within the playoff hunt. Similar to that smile on Allen’s face, these good instances could not final lengthy.