Commanders Look to Get Right Vs Raiders

By: Joe Cardoso

For Washington Commanders fans, this season has had a shaky start, with all the expectations we had for this team that last year was a game away from the Super Bowl. After getting punched in the face on national television by the Green Bay Packers, next on the schedule is the Las Vegas Raiders. All signs point to Jayden Daniles sitting out and resting his dinged-up knee. In comes Marcus Mariota if needed, and he has shown he can get the job done when called upon, and this rebuilding Raiders team is the perfect game to have him under center. Having lived through the RGIII saga, I am ALL about doing the right thing for Jayden, having him healthy, and taking notes from the Bengals.

With this team still learning what life is like with Pete Carroll, I like the offense’s chances to get its groove back and put some points on the board. After the hold, scary Terry needs to be targeted and make some big plays while also letting Deebo Samuels continue to find his spot in this offense. Micah Parsons was a problem for the offensive line in the last game. The Raiders bring their own elite pass rusher in Maxx Crosby, along with some other very talented defensive linemen. A better performance is needed. Rookie Josh Conerly will be tested often, as I don’t see Vegas sending Crosby towards Laremy Tunsil all game long. With all the injuries Washington suffered last game, we will find out how the “next man up” does. Rookie running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt will get more carries and try to get back to the play he had versus the Giants. If Mariota gets the start, look for a heavy run game with designed QB runs sprinkled in, which would set up the play action pass, along with slowing down Crosby and company. Seeing the big plays the Chargers had through the air on Monday is something the Commanders would love to repeat.

The group under the most pressure in this game will be the Commanders’ linebackers and secondary players because tight end Brock Bowers is ALL WORLD. If Daniels didn’t have the year he did, Bowers would have been the rookie of the year. How do we contain him and not let him have a career day? Prayer? Preston Smith is back in the DMV and will get to see some action to make up for the loss of Deatrich Wise, who is out for the season. Geno Smith had a rough Monday night game and will be looking to bounce back, but he is known to give the ball away from time to time, something the defense should take advantage of. After the way Green Bay tight ends ran wild, Geno is going to be targeting Bowers a lot. And do not let first-round rookie draft pick Ashton Jeanty make THIS the game he figures things out and pops off a big game.

For the Washington Commanders, I think this is the “perfect” game to figure things out on offense with the new guys who are expected to step in for injured starters. If Jayden can’t play, this is the defense I would want to face, along with looking at whether the O-line can learn from the Packers game and do a better job slowing down an elite pass rusher. Can the offense get its mojo back and also continue to be a GOOD NFL home team? I see a 31-20 Washington win. What do YOU think? #HTTC