Commanders: Rookie TE Ben Sinnott Making the Most of His Chances
Kliff Kingsbury isn’t one to hand out praise lightly, especially when the offense is struggling to find rhythm. But when it comes to rookie tight end Ben Sinnott, the Commanders' offensive coordinator made it clear - even in a game where completions were hard to come by, Sinnott stood out.
“We only had 10 completions, so there weren’t a ton to go around,” Kingsbury admitted. But despite the limited volume, one play in particular caught his eye.
“We got cover zero. We hadn’t shown him that look in that scenario with that personnel group; we weren’t anticipating he’d stick his foot in the ground and create space, so it was a big-time play.”
That’s the kind of detail that matters. For a rookie to recognize the defensive look, adjust on the fly, and make a play in a high-pressure situation - that’s not just instinct, that’s preparation meeting opportunity.
Kingsbury emphasized that while the passing game didn’t offer many chances, Sinnott continues to show growth. “He’s continued to progress and like I’ve said all along, when his opportunity has risen in the game, he’s stepped up.”
It’s early, but those flashes - especially from a position that often takes time to develop at the NFL level - are encouraging. Sinnott is carving out a role, and if his number keeps getting called, don’t be surprised if he becomes a reliable piece in Washington’s offense moving forward.
Cowboys: George Pickens Responds to Criticism, Keeps Focus on the Field
George Pickens knows the noise. He’s heard the chatter - and after the Cowboys’ December 4 loss to the Lions, some of it got pretty loud. Former Pro Bowl corner Richard Sherman, now an analyst with Amazon, questioned Pickens’ body language and effort, calling him “uninterested.”
Pickens, for his part, isn’t taking the bait. Instead, he pointed to a comment made by teammate CeeDee Lamb about how people seemed to be waiting for Pickens to have a down game.
“Yeah, that’s definitely what it felt like,” Pickens said. “But I can’t really get into that. Everybody’s got a job to do.”
That last part is key. Pickens has been through this before - during his time in Pittsburgh, similar criticisms surfaced. He’s come to understand the media game, and he’s not letting it derail his focus.
“Some people’s job is to do that,” Pickens said. “It’s like tear down a character, see how much clicks they can get. But I’m just here to play football and help the team honestly.”
The numbers haven’t been kind lately - just eight catches for 70 yards over the past two weeks. But Pickens says there’s a reason for that, and it’s not about effort or attitude.
“Just double coverage,” he said. “Surely that simple. Just double coverage.”
That’s what happens when you’re a known threat - defenses start scheming to take you away. For the Cowboys, the challenge now is finding ways to get Pickens involved, even when the coverage is tilted his way.
Because when he’s engaged and getting touches, he’s a difference-maker. And with the playoffs looming, Dallas will need all the playmakers it can get.