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When the schedule came out in May, Washington Commanders fans had visions of wild cards dancing in their heads. Last week was supposed to be spent obsessing over the ESPN Playoff Machine, figuring out how many combinations would net a playoff spot and how to get there. The reality of course is something else entirely.
The Commanders stare into the abyss at 4-9 with no real hopes of the postseason, the reality of a coming purge of the front office and coaching staff, massive roster changes, and a fan base more interested in next year’s draft position than this the
rest of this year’s results.
Washington also has a trip to Los Angeles to play the Rams this weekend. Once given up for dead, LA has reeled off three wins in its last four games and sees the Commanders as the ultimate get-right scenario for their playoff hopes.
That’s a lot of head-wind for the Burgundy and Gold. It also means a lot of hate watching for fans. But there are some things to keep an eye on.
Sam Howell’s development.
This is probably the single most important thing to watch in the final month of the season.
New leadership on the football side of the organization is all but guaranteed. A new general manager and coach will watch the tape of Howell’sseason and have to decide; to roll with him
next year and use the substantial draft capital saved up on pieces to make him better (think left tackle, right tackle, center, and a couple of guards) or do we use a top four (or possibly three) pick on a future franchise quarterback.
Which way to go?
It couldn’t be more of a coin toss.
Howell has had seven weeks in which he has graded out as an above-average to very good starter, according to PFF.com. He also graded out as average or bad in six games.
The rest of the season is about how he handles himself against really good competition as Washington plays LA, the Jets, San Francisco, and Dallas to close the season.
Is Emmanuel Forbes getting better?
The rookie has been sidelined by an elbow injury but with cornerback Danny Johnson now gone, he has a chance to get back on the field.
When we last saw him, he enjoyed a pretty good game against the Giants. Of course, that was against a team almost as bad as Washington with a third-string quarterback who was just starting to become an internet phenom.
Forbes has struggled against elite wide receivers although putting him on one with D.J. Moore, D.K. Metcalf, and Courtland Sutton is a bit unfair.
He will have his hands full this week with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Hopefully, he will have some help from his safeties.
Will Terry McLaurin get going?
This has been a tough year for McLaurin and the frustration has boiled over as much as it will for a guy who is a team leader.
He still does his job as well as he ever has but seems to not be the focus of Eric Bieniemy’s offense.
He was shut out against Miami two weeks ago with only three targets. That must change this week to avoid another embarrassing loss.
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