We’ve made it. An off-season of drama (would we have it any other way in Washington?) gives way to real football, real soon. Sunday, September 11th, to
be exact. This season joins us as we take a look at what to watch each week before the Commanders step on the field. So, for week one, here’s your
primer.
Commander Carson
From the low-hanging fruit department, Carson Wentz is Washington’s most talented quarterback since at least Mark Rypien and maybe Doug
Williams.
That says a lot about where the bar has been for Commanders signal callers than it does about Wentz’s talent, although there is plenty.
Wentz gets a lot of grief, and rightfully so for last year’s week 17 meltdown against Jacksonville (this week’s opponent, irony much?). What’s lost in that is how Wentz played throughout 2021.
As the Colts QB, Wentz completed 62.4% of his throws for 3,563 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Even a performance close to that
makes the Commanders a playoff-caliber team.
Will the defense step up?
If Jack Del Rio isn’t on the hot seat, he should be. Talent isn’t the problem, scheming it up may be. Del Rio was slow to adapt to what his players do best,
instead of trying to force them into a system. A ‘do your job mantra works with a unit of over achieving gym rats but Washington has five first-round draft
picks and a second-rounder in its rotation of linemen and linebackers (once Chase Young comes back).
Those players are paid to wreck game plans. If turned loose, perhaps they could. If not, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence could dink and dunk his way to a season-opening win.
Pay attention to the short passing game early. If Lawrence racks up a bunch of yards on short slants, it could be a long day.
A Fast Start
The NFL is begging the Commanders to get off to a fast start. The Jaguars and Detroit (Week 2 opponent) were two of the worst teams in the league last
year. The Commanders must start 2-0, which means jumping on the Jags early.
Fast starts are not a trademark of Ron Rivera coached teams, that needs to change Sunday.
The Commanders won seven games last season with a backup quarterback, early-season defensive struggles, and a rash of late-season injuries. This is also Ron Rivera’s third year in charge in Ashburn. It’s his world, completely and totally.
Let the games begin.