Taking a look at the Commanders side of things.
Dan Quinn Provides Positive Update Regarding Commanders’ CB Marshon Lattimore – Kade Kimble, Sports Illustrated
Washington is hoping for the debut of their newly-acquired Pro Bowl cornerback.
The Washington Commanders acquired four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints at the trade deadline. He’s yet to suit up in a Commanders jersey, though, having missed the past two games with a hamstring injury that’s lingering from his time in the Big Easy.
The Commanders, surprisingly, have lost those two games — coming against stout teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. While the two losses are tough, Washington now has a chance to prove themselves and come away with a big victory. They’ll need Lattimore in the secondary to help them do such.
On Monday, Washington head coach Dan Quinn provided an update on Lattimore, claiming they are “trending in a really strong way” with the star defensive back.
It’s no shock Lattimore was held out of the team’s second match since his arrival. They were on a short week, so it made sense for him to take extra time to get healthy.
A fully healthy Commanders squad is going to be quite dangerous, though a loss to the Eagles makes it seem as if they will have to earn an at-large playoff bid in the Wild Card rounds. They’ve got to prove they can take a punch like two straight losses and course-correct under the leadership of a rookie quarterback.
With No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels at the helm, Washington should be able to get back on track, though, and Kliff Kingsbury’s offense will get back to putting big points on the board while Lattimore bolsters the defense.
What’s happened to the Commanders’ offense? – ESPN
Has it become time to worry about Washington’s offensive output?
ASHBURN, Va. — The start of the Washington Commanders’ 2024 season could be summed up with one question: Where did this come from? Their last four games, however, have led to quite another: What’s happened to the offense?
In those four games, the Commanders have not exhibited the same explosive attack that helped them build up a 7-2 NFC-East leading record. And after suffering consecutive losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, Washington faces questions about where the unit is headed.
Over the first seven games of the season, Washington ranked third in scoring at 30.1 points per game and fourth in yards at 384.1. Over the past four, the Commanders are 14th in points (22.5) and 19th in yards (336.3). In between, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels injured his rib in the first quarter of the Commanders’ Week 7 victory over the Carolina Panthers. He didn’t return until the following game, an 18-15 victory over the Chicago Bears.
“I don’t think anyone is hitting the panic button, but at the same time there’s a lot to improve on,” said tight end Zach Ertz. “There’s a lot of urgency that goes with that.”
The good news for the Commanders: Of their final six games this season, five are against teams that rank 20th or worse in scoring defense. The only game that doesn’t fall into this category is their rematch against Philadelphia.
Thus far, Washington has played five games against teams ranked 23rd or worse. The Commanders have averaged 31 points in those games; they also scored 42 against Arizona, which currently ranks 11th in scoring.
“In the NFL, that’s what happens around this time. Once you reach the midpoint, teams figure out a little bit and you’re not a surprise to anybody,” right tackle Andrew Wylie said. “We’ve got all the confidence in the world in the staff and players. We’ll continue to dial it up and get it done.”
Dan Quinn Spotlights Growth Through Commanders Struggles – Joanne Coley, Yardbarker.com
Adversity is a good thing if you want to succeed.
The Washington Commanders might be stuck in a two-game losing streak, but head coach Dan Quinn isn’t letting the team lose focus on the bigger picture.
As the team navigates these challenging times, Quinn believes the hard times are a part of the journey and that the Commanders should keep focused on growth, connection, and what’s ahead, even as the team weathers the storm.
“Well, it is going to come, the adversity part,” Quinn acknowledged. Every team hits rough patches, but for him, it’s about seeing the silver lining. “And there’s some things that have sped up our development as a team. That’s this connection that the guys have spoken about.” That bond between players keeps this Washington team together, even when the wins aren’t coming as every Sunday.
Quinn isn’t sugarcoating things, though. The Commanders have struggled to close out tight games, and he knows that’s where the growth has to happen. “There’s also one thing you can’t speed up, and that’s the hard lessons,” he explained.
“Learning how to win close games and late ones and ugly wins and playing left-handed and all these lessons that come from that.”
For Quinn, those experiences shape the team into something bigger than their current record.
“What I do love about our team is that we’re never out of it,” Quinn said. “And maybe after the first game of the season, that would’ve been something, but since that space, we haven’t won them all. But to know that these guys are down for the fight and they’re a resilient group into those spaces.”
Quinn’s faith in his players has remained strong. He knows the journey is just as important as the destination. The Commanders might not be there yet, but they’re building something real.
