The Washington Commanders have a forgettable first half in all three phases of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. The sluggish start resulted in the Commanders falling into a 22-0 hole by halftime.
Washington was outgained 250 to 90 in yards in the first half. Detroit had 141 passing yards and 109 rushing yards by halftime. Washington’s offense didn’t gain a first down until 5:43 remaining in the second quarter.
The Commanders’ defense didn’t fare any better. Lions quarterback Jared Goff tossed two of his four touchdowns in the first half, and Washington didn’t have much of an answer for wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Commanders safety Darrick Forrest had an interesting explanation for the defense’s first-half issues.
“It was scheme,” Forrest proclaimed, per ESPN’s John Keim. “I felt like they knew exactly what we were in. It was great offensive play-calling.”
Forrest’s answer was honest and probably was more about praising the Lions’ offensive play-calling. However, saying he felt as if the Lions “knew exactly what we were in” casts a shadow over Washington’s defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.
Was Washington’s defense predictable in the first half? Or was it more about them not matching up well with the talented Lions’ offense?
Washington’s defense fared better in the second half. They limited the explosive plays by Detroit. They made stops in the third quarter, allowing its quarterback Carson Wentz and the offense to chip into the deficit.
“We tightened up on defense, came out and got a few stops and we corrected our coverage,” Forrest added.
The Commanders came within one score twice in the second half. But each time, the Lions’ offense made plays. Lions running back D’Andre Swift scored on a ridiculous touchdown reception from Goff late in the third quarter to extend Detroit’s lead to 29-15.
Then in the fourth quarter, St. Brown capped off his breakout game with an 11-yard touchdown catch that put the game out of reach at 36-21 with 7:00 remaining in the game.
The hole Washington dug itself was just too steep to climb out. In the end, the Commanders allowed the Lions’ offense to net 450 total yards of offense.
Del Rio has to find answers with NFC East foes, the Philadelphia Eagles, coming to FedEx Field next week. The Eagles are a team that is familiar with Del Rio’s scheme. Philadelphia also has a strong group of skilled position players much like Detroit.
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