Are Commanders in danger of missing playoffs? Five issues during losing streak, and how they can get fixed

This is more like what we expected, and not in a good way.

The Commanders have dropped three straight games and are 7-5 this season, hanging onto the final NFC wild-card spot. The losing streak has brought things very much back down to earth for a team that was riding an unbelievable historic high: The 7-2 start was the franchise’s best since 1996.

Again, even after the electric start, this is more like what was expected of the Commanders, at least from an outsider’s perspective. In fact, Washington has already gone over its preseason win total of 6.5. This wasn’t supposed to be “the year” and maybe not even the year before the year. The Commanders’ build — Dan Quinn didn’t want it called a rebuild — was always going to take time, something Quinn, GM Adam Peters and owner Josh Harris all acknowledged.

But then the 7-2 start came. Jayden Daniels was lights out, providing unforgettable moments like the game-winner to Terry McLaurin on “Monday Night Football” against the Bengals and the Hail Mary to Noah Brown against the Bears. The offense wasn’t just really good; it was was unprecedented.

During the three-game losing streak, a variety of issues have popped up, mostly on an offense that has gone from historically elite to mediocre at best. Here’s what’s gone wrong, and here’s what can be fixed:

1. Too many negative plays, not enough responses

One of the things that the Commanders did a truly remarkable — even historic — job of early in the season was responding from negative plays. Now, those negative plays are accumulating instead.

Commanders After Play for 0 or Negative Yards

First 9 Games

Last 3 Games

Yards per play

8.4

3.8

Pct of plays that go for 0 or negative yards

35%

50%

Success rate

44%

33%

Explosive play rate

23%

11%

This is a massive drop-off. It seemed like the Commanders always had answers for negative plays early in the season. Now, they have none — their yards per play following…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/are-commanders-in-danger-of-missing-playoffs-five-issues-during-losing-streak-and-how-they-can-get-fixed/

Author : Zachary Pereles

Publish date : 2024-11-25 17:08:00

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