3. Execute on special teams.
Most Washington fans don’t need to be reminded how much special teams can affect an outcome after last week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, but the Commanders’ special teams unit can help swing momentum in the team’s favor against the Titans.
Let’s start with the Titans’ punt unit, which is the only group in the league to have two blocks against them this season. They have given up 578 return yards through 12 games, which is by far the most in the NFL by nearly 200 yards (the Cleveland Browns are second with 398). Just look at their 52-14 loss to the Detroit Lions as an example of how big the impact can be; Kalif Raymond had 190 return yards on five attempts, including a 90-yarder for a touchdown.
Now, let’s go over to kickoff, where the Titans have given up the highest average return of 37.4 yards this season. Granted, they don’t give opponents many returnable kicks, since their 13 allowed returns are among the fewest in the league, but any player whose taken out a kick against the Titans has usually found success.
Austin Ekeler, one of Washington’s main kick returners, is still in the concussion protocol and likely won’t return against the Titans. That leaves Jeremy McNichols, who coincidentally played for the Titans from 2020-21, as the other main option. Perhaps, assuming the Commanders return unit continues to block well, he will join Raymond — another former Titans player — and pick up a special teams touchdown of his own.