How Commanders should approach final three games amid playoff push

The Washington Commanders discovered their late-season run to the playoffs must go straight up the middle.

The New Orleans Saints nearly upset Washington on Sunday by shutting down outside running lanes. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels needs to beat teams in the middle of the field, but that’s not his strength. He likes running outside. 

New Orleans managed eight sacks of Daniels, with four caused by the quarterback holding the ball too long without an escape route.

Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury needs to rework the offense given recent injuries to running back Austin Ekeler and receiver Noah Brown plus tight end Zac Ertz suffering a concussion versus the Saints. Running back Brian Robinson has been banged up as well, but he powered through on Sunday, taking 21 carries against the Saints.

The new offense will work between the tackles rather than outside. Let Robinson bang away like he did against the Saints.

While the Commanders need to reconsider where the running game attacks defenses as opponents try to take away their preference, the biggest key is finding a No. 2 receiver behind Terry McLaurin after losing Brown for the season with an internal injury. Olamide Zaccheaus made a claim with three catches for 36 yards against New Orleans while speedster Dyami Brown is proving a better slot runner than downfield threat with three receptions for 30 yards. Jamison Crowder was re-activated off the injured list, posting three catches for 27 yards.

Receiver by committee is obviously the new plan, but there’s still a hole at tight end. Ertz is a baller, but is now sidelined by a concussion. Ben Sinnott and John Bates each caught one ball against the Saints, but neither is a regular target. That means shifting more to receivers inside. Receiver Luke McCaffrey has been an underused target who could see more work if Ertz misses time.

The strength of this offensive line is the interior threesome. Washington tries to work outside, but its success is often between the tackles, even when passing. It works the clock for long drives, allowing the Commanders to pile up time of possession, like the 40:50 they had against New Orleans. Washington’s defense melts late if on the field too long. The Saints scored the last 12 points in the fourth quarter to nearly steal the game before a failed two-point conversion with no time left allowed Washington to escape with the one-point win.

Washington needs to let Daniels be Daniels to create on the run and hope he gets rid of the ball quicker. The team should look to give Daniels more inside targets than usual, try to turn short plays into medium gains and save the outside for special needs.

The path to the playoffs for the Commanders is NFC East power football in cold weather over the final three weeks, where one or two wins secures a playoff bid. Coach Dan Quinn likes to talk about the Commanders’ grit. Well, it’s time to get down and dirty.