The Washington Commanders now hold a 2-2 record after playing the Atlanta Falcons in a 34-27 defeat on Sept. 28, and, despite the loss, are preparing to head to Los Angeles to play the Chargers on Sunday.
“What I do know is that this is a resilient team,” said head coach Dan Quinn. “We’ll grow from [Sunday’s game] and we have to, but [there’s] lots for us to correct and get right and before we take it out on the road to head to L.A.”
With starting quarterback Jayden Daniels sidelined due to injury, quarterback Marcus Mariota made his second straight start, recording 16-of-27 for 156 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Considering Daniels, wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, and tight end John Bates are sidelined and running back Austin Ekeler is out for the season, some offensive struggles were expected.
Washington Commanders quarterbacks Josh Johnson (14) and Marcus Mariota walk on the field ahead of Commanders’ 34-27 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sept. 28. (Abdullah Konte /The Washington Informer
However, it was defense that proved to be the bigger concern. Washington surrendered 435 total yards, struggling to contain Atlanta’s second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who carved them up for 313 yards and two scores on an efficient 20-of-26 passing.
“[Penix] put a ball in on that fourth and 13th last year, up the seam against us that shouldn’t have got in there and the coverage that we were in— but he got it in there,” defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said ahead of Sunday’s game on Sept. 25. “And so, he’s just a talented strong-armed guy.”
Post-game, Quinn weighed in on some of the defensive challenges, such as missed tackles, saying that is something he and the team will work to address in practices and step up this season.
“In each practice and each day you can, you can work on [tackles] hard. It doesn’t have to be something that you have to take to the ground, but you do have to get your angles, your tracking correct,” the coach said. “We were not pleased with our tackling performance and… there is plenty you can do to work on that.”
The Commanders have experienced an uneven start to the season, while some of the struggles fall within their control many do not.
A wave of injuries on both sides significantly reduced Washington’s chances for errors, forcing backups to step on key roles and testing the team’s depth early on.
Despite the frustration, there is still a lot of football to play. The Commanders still have a chance to find their footing and reach the standard that they have set for themselves in the offseason.
However, the road ahead doesn’t get much easier for Washington. Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers marks their last 1 p.m. kickoff time until Week 14, with a thrilling upcoming stretch ahead.
Washington is set to face the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Seattle Seahawks all before December and each team is looking to break the team’s standards of an NFC Championship appearance that was reached last season.
On the brighter side, help could soon be on the way with Daniels inching closer to a return, and guard Sam Cosmi eligible for activation. Meanwhile, recent additions such as Preston Smith and Darnell Savage should become more integrated into the defensive system.
With key players returning and a thrilling season to continue, it’s far from time to panic. The Commanders remain focused on getting back on track.
“It’s really a mindset, it’s a way, and if you go into it in that way, you have a way better chance of going forward,” said Quinn. “I love the fight for the team, but fighting to stay in it is different than fighting to finish the play. And so I want to make sure our attitude— our mindset— is absolutely bold and aggressive.”
The Commanders are set to hit the road for a second week in a row to face the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is 1 p.m.