When the Miami Dolphins play the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field on Sunday, they aim to improve to 9-3.The Commanders enter the game with a 4-8 record after suffering a 45-10 setback to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.We turned to David Harrison of Fan Nation sister Commander Country to obtain some answers on five important topics concerning the Commanders.
1. DC was sacked by head coach Ron Rivera Jack Del Rio will now call the defensive plays following the Thanksgiving blowout loss at Dallas; what are the possibilities that this will assist the Commanders genuinely slow down the Dolphins offense?
DH: There are two parts to this response because, while streamlining the defense and trying to find ways to give defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen more one-on-one opportunities would undoubtedly improve the defense’s performance, will it be sufficient to impede the Dolphins offense? To be honest, that is highly unlikely.
2. In what ways, if at all, have the Commanders compensated for the trade deadline losses of defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat?
DH: Not in the slightest. Since James Smith-Williams has been suffering with injuries since taking the starting job, there isn’t much pressure coming off the edges these days. Casey Toohill, rookies Andre Jones Jr. and KJ Henry, and rookie Casey Toohill make up the rotation’s primary players. Due to their inexperience and lack athletic ability, Allen and Payne have become relatively unthreatening, which has allowed opponents to concentrate more intently on them.
3. Sam Howell is getting fired at a rate that breaks records. What was the main cause of this situation?
DH: The main causes early in the season were offensive line problems and Howell’s inexperienced desire to hold onto the ball. These numbers improved as the offensive line got better, thanks in part to experience and in part to the new center and left guard tandem of Chris Paul and Tyler Larsen. The Commanders have, however, trailed by multiple scores in some of their recent games, which has forced them to adopt a pass-heavy strategy that has benefited pass rushers against an improved but still mediocre pass defense.
4. Which offensive player, and for what reason, should the Dolphins defense be most worried about?
DH: Receiver Curtis Samuel, in my opinion. Brian Robinson Jr., the running back, is undoubtedly a viable option, but many of his most impressive plays occur after the defense falters in an attempt to contain Howell as he scrambles. Samuel is a logical choice as that can be resolved with pursuit discipline. The attention paid to Terry McLaurin only serves to highlight Samuel’s ability to run a lot of routes, win fast, and do so against all levels of defense, making him a wild card in every game.
5. What makes you believe that the Commanders can pull off an upset or at least keep this game close?
DH: This group usually plays to its opposition. Whether they play the Philadelphia Eagles or the New York Giants, they always manage to maintain a competitive edge for the most of their games despite facing elite players. Even Nevertheless, 45-10 It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Dallas Cowboys defeat seemed as lopsided as the score indicates. This group wants to justify the sacking of Jack Del Rio, and they would also prefer to keep Ron Rivera in his position if they had the chance. They will use this as motivation to attempt and achieve what no one believes they can as they know that the only way they can do that is to develop and succeed in the short time they have left to do so.
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