Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels begin year two with the Washington Commanders, having expectations that were unimaginable this time last year.
The Commanders open the season against a New York Giants team that is much better than they were last season.
Keys:
Can Washington Run the Ball
The Commanders’ running back room is set with Austin Ekeler being the starter. Ekeler is your typical Swiss Army Knife back. He’s going to be solid running it, but he increases his value with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and pass block.
After Ekeler, it will be interesting to see who is next. Will it be Jeremy McNichols or Jacory Croskey-Merritt?
That’s an important question to answer because Ekeler isn’t a volume carry running back. Can McNichols show he’s a quality “spell the starter” running back? Can Croskey-Merritt continue his hot preseason? How much will Chris Rodriguez Jr. get a shot?
Washington cannot depend on Jayden Daniels contributing to the running game like he did last season. At some point, Dan Quinn and the staff want to take less risk with Daniels carrying the ball.
Is McLaurin Ready
Anytime there’s a holdout or hold-in to a skill position player, getting injured becomes a worry.
That’s what the concern is for Washington with Terry McLaurin. No matter how much a player works out, it’s not a substitute for getting what many consider traditional reps.
The Commanders can’t afford to bring McLaurin along slowly. The wide receiver unit hasn’t demonstrated that it can compensate for McLaurin individually or collectively.
Washington’s offense needs shock plays, especially if the running game is dormant, and no one does it better for this offense than McLaurin.
Knocking Wilson Off His Spot
With all the Jaxson Dart hype, it’s easy to forget that Russell Wilson is the starting quarterback.
Wilson isn’t the same player he was in Seattle, but he can still make plays and is a veteran presence on a team that has a better roster than it did a year ago.
Keeping Wilson pinned in the pocket is Washington’s best plan of attack.
That will take away Wilson’s big play ability when he gets out of trouble to either side of the pocket. The Commanders are better off making him climb the pocket and throw over the rush and the coverage. If they do that, Wilson will give the defense an interception or two.
