Three games into the season, the Commanders are already in the part of the schedule where the tape starts talking back.
That’s the reality David Blough is dealing with as Washington’s new offensive coordinator prepares for Indianapolis. The Colts will have something the Eagles, Cowboys, and Seahawks did not: a real scouting sample on this offense. Blough knows that changes the equation.
“Over the first couple weeks, we've dove a lot into our own self-scout because we know there's only three weeks of information that the Colts are getting to look at on our offense,” Blough said. “And so, how do we predict what they're seeing, and how do we kind of adapt to that hopefully before they catch on? So, you know, it's always a chess match, and we got a lot of respect for this team, this head coach, defensive coordinator that we're going up against this week, and we want to stay ahead of that curve as well.”
That self-scouting comes with a specific problem Washington has been carrying all season: pre-snap penalties. Blough made it clear those mistakes are hurting the offense’s rhythm.
“We've talked about urgency out of the huddle and so we mix up our cadence a lot, and it kind of got us, you know, nipped us in the butt a little bit... second and eight turning into second and 13 was not where we wanted to be. And it happened too many times.”
It happened more than a few times. Eight of Washington’s 20 accepted penalties this season have come before the snap, and one of them wiped out Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt’s long touchdown.
Blough also addressed the Seattle game head-on, calling it “not really up to our standard as an offense.” That matters because it shows where he’s setting the line for his group after just three weeks, and it shows he’s willing to look inward rather than just point to the next opponent.
“I think it's both. I think it certainly starts with me and our unit coaching it.
And you can't ever let that standard slip, whether it's in a practice or a prior game,” Blough said. “We got to learn from those lessons on the player side as well... we felt it cost us certainly in the first quarter on Bill's long touchdown run.
We felt it at other points, and unfortunately, you have to learn those lessons the hard way.”
Blough also singled out Marcus Mariota’s mental preparation and the impact it had for Washington against Seattle. He said Austin Ekeler will have a role in the offense, with his work as a receiver out of the backfield standing out. And he hasn’t forgotten about the tight end group either.
“From a broad stroke, we'd love them to be more involved in the passing game,” he said, adding that each player in the room offers something different.
Three games may not be enough for defenses to fully decode what this offense will become, but it’s enough to start building a report. That leaves Washington with a clear task this week: make sure the version of the offense the Colts studied doesn’t match the one they see on Sunday.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Have A Marvin Harrison Jr. Decision To Make
Marvin Harrison Jr.s first stretch with the Cardinals has been quieter than many expected, and that has already started to stir the kind of trade talk that follows any highly touted young receiver who is not getting much run. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Washington is among the teams keeping an eye on the situation, which makes sense for a Commanders club always thinking about how to keep its passing game stocked for the future.
From Washingtons perspective, Harrison is the sort of name that naturally invites interest: a big talent, a premium pedigree, and a player whose availability would change the conversation in a hurry. But any possible move would come with real questions about cost, fit and timing, and for now the Commanders are still in the monitoring stage rather than any confirmed pursuit. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Have A Different Plan For Joshua Josephs
Joshua Josephs has already given the Commanders something to think about as they sort through the next layer of their defense. The idea being floated is a position change, with Josephs potentially moving from edge rusher to inside linebacker, a switch that would ask for a different kind of responsibility but could also open a clearer path to playing time. His physical traits and skill set are part of why the conversation is even on the table.
Washingtons roster situation adds to the intrigue, since the team is still weighing how best to cover future needs in the middle of the defense. If the Commanders decide Josephs is better suited to that role, it could help both sides by putting him in a spot where his strengths are easier to maximize. For now, it remains more of a possibility than a decision, but it is the sort of roster wrinkle worth watching as the team keeps shaping its defense. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Could Catch Washington Without Its Biggest Receiving Threat
Terry McLaurins availability has become one of the biggest questions hanging over Washington heading into Week 4, after the veteran receiver picked up a hamstring injury in practice and was listed as questionable for Sundays game against the Colts. McLaurin was limited in practice, and the issue is a new concern for him at a time when the Commanders are already managing significant changes on offense.
The timing is less than ideal for Washington, which is set to face Indianapolis without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels. If McLaurin cannot go, the Commanders would be trying to piece together their passing game without one of their most important targets, a development that would leave even more onus on a unit already under pressure to adjust. [Read more 🡒]