In the NFL, accountability matters - and Kliff Kingsbury knows it. When asked about the Washington Commanders’ red zone sequence last week, where they came up short on a first-and-goal from the 4-yard line, Kingsbury didn’t deflect.
He didn’t point fingers. He owned it.
“There weren’t a lot of great play calls in that game,” Kingsbury said. “And that’s on me. I’ve got to get a lot better.”
That’s the kind of response you expect from a coach who understands the spotlight - and the responsibility that comes with it. But while Kingsbury took the heat, the film tells a more layered story.
Let’s break it down.
2nd and Goal at the 2: Brandon Coleman shakes free. He’s open.
Jayden Daniels sees him - but hesitates. That split-second pause is all it takes.
By the time Daniels reloads and tries to go back to Coleman, the window’s gone. Defenders close in, and Daniels wisely throws the ball away.
Missed opportunity.
3rd and Goal at the 2: Zach Ertz gets held. It’s subtle, but it’s there.
The kind of grab that disrupts timing just enough to throw off the route. No flag.
No catch. No score.
4th and Goal at the 2: Daniels scans right, looking for Ertz and Noah Brown. Nothing there.
He comes back across the field and fires a dart to Deebo Samuel. It’s on target.
It’s catchable. And it’s dropped.
That’s the one that stings. That’s the one that could’ve tied the game at 7-7.
Kingsbury didn’t bring up any of that. He didn’t need to.
Anyone who’s watched the tape knows the story. And Kingsbury, a veteran of both the media room and the sideline, knows how this works.
In front of the cameras, you take the hit. Behind closed doors, you break down the tape and address the real issues.
It’s the same approach legendary coaches have taken for decades. Think Bear Bryant after a tough loss - stepping up to the mic and saying, “That’s on me.
I didn’t have my team ready.” It’s not just coach-speak.
It’s leadership. And it resonates, especially in a league where the margin for error is razor-thin and the pressure is relentless.
Now, let’s be real: the red zone - and especially inside the 5 - is one of the toughest places to throw the football. Defenses tighten up.
Windows shrink. Timing has to be perfect.
So yeah, maybe Kingsbury could’ve dialed up another run. Maybe he should’ve.
But hindsight’s always 20/20, and in the moment, you trust your quarterback, your playmakers, and your scheme.
The bottom line? The Commanders had chances.
The execution wasn’t perfect. The calls weren’t perfect.
And Kingsbury, to his credit, didn’t pass the buck. He took the blame, just like any strong leader would.
But the tape? The tape tells the whole story.