Commanders only needed one week for this offseason decision to look genius

By now, the hype surrounding rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has reached absurd levels. In what had been building throughout the offseason, and specifically among the fantasy football community, the rookie finally hit the field in his regular season debut.

And, in that debut against the New York Giants, Croskey-Merritt delivered in spectacular fashion. When some might have expected the Commanders to ease him in and ride Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols a bit more, it was the seventh-round pick who didn't look back after receiving his first touch early in the second quarter.

How good was he? Well, what if I were to tell you that Croskey-Merritt was the best overall running back from Sunday's Week 1 action? Believe it or not, Pro Football Focus indeed gave Croskey-Merritt the highest rush grade of any running back from Week 1 (with Monday Night Football yet to take place).

What a world we're living in. A seventh-round pick comes out swinging and gets the highest grade in all of football.

He finished with an impressive 83.9 rush grade and an overall grade of 79.3. On the day, Croskey-Merritt totaled 82 yards on 10 carries with a long of 42. So, even taking out his big scamper, he still ran for 40 yards on nine carries. It was an efficient day either way you spin it.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt could be hit with a quick reality check in Week 2

The Commanders get a quick turnaround on Thursday Night Football against the 1-0 Green Bay Packers, and after what we saw Matt LaFleur's crew do to the Detroit Lions, things are about to get much more difficult.

Detroit's usually-strong run game was held to just 46 yards on 22 carries against Jeff Halfey's Packers defense. The Lions saw star running back Jahmyr Gibbs gain just 19 yards on nine carries. Green Bay's defensive line was a problem.

What was that Jerry Jones liked to say about Micah Parsons being unable to stop the run? It sure looked like Parsons and the Packers had no problem shutting down Detroit in Week 1. Thus, Kliff Kingsbury is going to have a much tougher time game planning this week.

As for Croskey-Merritt, we're not sure if the Commanders will immediately turn to him as their bell cow. But, he certainly warranted more touches. Will he be able to continue his hot start against a stingier Packers defense?