With 6 wins in 7 games, are these the ‘real’ Washington Commanders?

With the New York Giants internet hosting the Washington Commanders this week, our pals at Hogs Haven assist us be taught extra in regards to the Commanders. ‘KyleSmithforGM’ solutions our 5 questions.

Ed: What’s it about Taylor Heinecke that this workforce responds to? He’s not an incredible quarterback, however this workforce is much better with him behind heart than with Carson Wentz.

KyleSmithforGM: Heinicke has an vitality that’s contagious. He completely has bodily limitations which might be effectively documented: He’s most likely underneath 6’ tall, he has what some describe as a “noodle arm,” and, at instances, he could make some questionable selections to attempt to salvage a play. Nonetheless, it’s arduous to dispute that he’s been a fairly efficient sport supervisor, and the fact is, in determined want of a final minute, 4th quarter comeback, I’m undecided there’s a QB not named Mahomes, Allen, or Rodgers, who I’d quite have behind heart. He genuinely appears to carry out his finest when the chips are down. The workforce feeds off Heinicke and Heinicke returns the love. He’s actually an pleasurable QB to look at play, even along with his shortcomings.

Ed: Are the “actual” Commanders the workforce that began 1-4 or the workforce that has gained 6 of seven? Are they actually someplace in-between?

KyleSmithforGM: I’d say the “actual” Commanders are extra doubtless the workforce that has gone 6-1. That’s to not say I believe this workforce is elite, however I do suppose that, at its core, it’s a wonderful defensive workforce that, if it could decrease offensive errors, can grasp in in opposition to any workforce within the league. One other one in every of our writers at Hogs Haven, Invoice Horgan, wrote a wonderful piece describing how this present incarnation works (https://www.hogshaven.com/2022/11/29/23481911/ball-control-offense-is-working-as-designed-for-the-commanders). I extremely suggest it.

Ed: The Commanders play the Giants back-to-back with a bye week in-between. They get 3 weeks to focus on nobody however the Giants. How huge of a bonus is that?

KyleSmithforGM: I believe it’s a big benefit. Not solely does Washington get a bye between the 2 video games, the Giants must play the Eagles. I don’t essentially suppose the Giants will look previous Washington – this sport is just too essential for his or her playoff possibilities to take action – however I believe it’s potential. If Washington wins the primary sport, they’ve received loads of time to re-configure their strategy to present the Giants a novel look the following time they meet. If Washington loses the primary sport, they’ve two weeks to investigate what went fallacious and enhance their plan of assault. The schedule additionally nearly assures New York will see Chase Younger no less than as soon as within the subsequent three weeks, which can affect their defensive sport planning.

Ed: When you may take one participant off the Giants’ roster NOT NAMED SAQUON BARKLEY and put him in Washington’s lineup, who would it not be? Why?

KyleSmithforGM: I must say Andrew Thomas, and I don’t suppose it’s even that shut. I’d actually want him to Barkley. He’s already mentioned in league circles among the many prime left tackles within the NFL, and it could be nice to have him anchoring the offensive line for years to come back. It seems just like the Giants’ heavy draft investments alongside the offensive line are lastly paying dividends.

Ed: What considerations you most about this Giants’ workforce? What’s your prediction for Sunday?

KyleSmithforGM: Washington has been fairly efficient at containing the injury of speeding assaults over the last seven video games or so, and I believe the Giants mirror the Falcons fairly intently in that regard. That stated, I fear extra about Daniel Jones than I did about Marcus Mariota. I additionally suppose the Giants have a greater cross protection than the Falcons do. All that stated, I believe Washington wins this one, 21-17.