The Commanders had a lot of issues in Week 1, and they worked out some of those kinks in a Week 2 win over the Giants – but why is the defensive line still struggling so much now two games in, and what’s up with the secondary?
Daniel Jones, who was under fire almost the whole game in New York’s Week 1 loss, was sacked just once and hit only four times while averaging 6.4 yards per carry when he ran, and Devin Singletary also had a good game on the ground.
So what can be done there on that side of the ball?
“I don’t know what you can do – you can't switch out the corners, who are not very good, so we kind of believe top receivers are gonna thrive and have big days against the Commanders,” JP said.
“I think they just have to take more chances and pressure more,” EB said, but Cakes said if they blitz more this week against Cincinnati, “Joe Burrow is going to probably pick you apart.”
“Mike Sainristil still got beat pretty bad,” Bish said, “but he’s been asked to do a lot because the other corners are struggling.”
“They had to bench Mike Davis at halftime he was so bad, but I didn’t think he would play that much,” EB said.
Here’s the rub – perhaps the DBs are having issues because the line can’t get pressure?
“Maybe you just have to trick it up, because their defensive ends, I just don't see them getting consistent pressure,” JP said.
“I’ll call them out, but I think Jon Allen and Daron Payne need to play like Jon Allen and Daron Payne,” EB said. “They need to dominate.
I know they’re not Aaron Donald, but you gotta flash and play like that once in a while. They’ve played way better – this is not the level they’ve played in previous years.”
“They played a ton of snaps last year and were on the field a lot, and I think that’s taken its toll,” Bish added.
“Dorance Armstrong has to get to the quarterback. He got paid pretty good money and he has zero sacks through two games, and three tackles,” Cakes chimed in.
EB wonders why Jamin Davis was a healthy inactive in Week 2, and all of the guys would like to know that answer, but Clelin Farrell has both of the Commanders’ sacks…and that’s not great all around.
“Here’s the problem: I was fine with the pressure last week because at the interior, they did get pressure and just didn't wrap them – but this week, not fine,” EB said.
“Joe Burrow is a statue, so they should get pressure on him. He's a stationary target now,” Cakes said. “He's not Aaron Rodgers-level statue, but he's close, so you got to get to him.”
EB thought they’d be better this year but so far, not so good, and the guys all agree that a defense-heavy draft might need to be next year’s plan – and you can listen to their whole convo above!
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