David Blough came away from Week 5 with a mixed bag, and he didn’t hide either side of it.
The Washington Commanders offensive coordinator had plenty to appreciate with Jayden Daniels back in the lineup, especially after Daniels returned from injury and worked through a more restrictive brace on his left elbow. That brace kept him from fully extending the arm on handoffs, but Washington still cleaned up the exchange game - there were no fumbles or bobbles.
“I thought there were some moments where he was really spectacular,” Blough said. “When he pulled the ball down to run and some big-time throws when we needed him most.
Like all throughout the second half, he was playing at a really high level. So we are looking forward to building on what he showed and continue to ask him to do things that he does really well."
Daniels backed that up with a sharp, efficient day through the air and a major impact on the ground. He finished 17 of 25 for 199 yards, good for 7.96 yards per attempt, while also leading the Commanders with 103 rushing yards on nine carries. He averaged 11.4 yards per carry and scored on runs of 38 and 26 yards.
But Blough also pointed to a self-inflicted problem that stalled Washington in the 27-27 tie with the New York Giants: the pre-snap penalties.
Asked about those penalties, Blough made clear the issue cut into a key second-quarter drive.
“Sure, it really cost us in the second quarter. There’s a string of about five plays with a couple of pre-snap penalties mixed in...
It took us backward in the red zone. We’re continuing to hone in on that process just as much as anything else.
So, we’re going to coach it hard, take accountability for it. That’s something that has to be cleaned up for us to be an efficient, successful offense.”
The sequence he was pointing to came with Washington ahead 6-3 and facing second-and-goal from the Giants’ 9-yard line. Tight end John Bates picked up a false start, moving the Commanders back to the 14.
Then running back Rachaad White jumped early as well, sending Washington to second-and-goal from the 19. The possession ended with Drew Stevens kicking a field goal, stretching the lead to 9-3 instead of the Commanders turning that spot into a 13-3 advantage early in the second quarter.
In Other News...
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The ritual traces back to Frankie Luvu, who brought the idea with him after arriving from Carolina, and it has clearly left an impression inside Washingtons defense. Still, the practice comes with an obvious wrinkle: a neuropsychologist pointed out that while routines can help athletes prepare, alcohol can affect reaction time and hits everyone differently, which makes the whole thing more curious than simple locker-room lore. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Defense Has A Four-Quarter Problem Jones Must Solve
The Commanders keep running into the same frustrating pattern on defense: the first half looks organized and competitive, then the second half slips away with the same personnel and the same scheme still on the field. It has become a lingering issue for a unit Washington has poured resources into, including the draft choice of linebacker Sonny Styles, and it has left the defense trying to prove it can hold its standard for four quarters instead of just two.
Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones believes the answer is less about a wholesale overhaul and more about getting back to basics. His message centers on sound fundamentals, calmer play and trusting the process after halftime, which is exactly the kind of reset the Commanders need after watching leads and control fade against teams like the Giants and Colts. For a defense built to carry more weight, the challenge now is turning those first-half flashes into something sustainable. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Face A New NFC East Problem After Eagles Shakeup
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What matters most for the Commanders is how the betting board has reacted to the Eagles' uncertainty. Dallas has moved into the favorite's spot to win the division, while Philadelphia's odds have dropped sharply, turning what looked like a straightforward chase into a more complicated race for Washington as the schedule moves deeper into the season. [Read more 🡒]