Hogs Haven
Poll questions!!
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Washington Commanders fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in regular email surveys.
This week we have three questions in the Reacts survey.
Our first question this week is the one we ask every week — Do you feel confident in the direction of the franchise? We will track the results of this question throughout the season. For the past five weeks, it has been at 98% or 99% — the highest of any fan base in the NFL. Will it go any higher in the wake of the miracle of Noah’s Arc that occurred on Sunday in Landover?
On the face of it, you may think the answer to our second question — Who was the hero of the Bears game? — is obvious, but maybe it isn’t.
We’ll offer you seven choices, and each of them has a legitimate reason for being on the list and receiving consideration.
Newton had a sack on the second play of the game to help set the tone for the Commanders defense for the entire game. If you doubt the impact that Newton was having on defense, take a look at this gushing report from Brian Baldinger:
Of course, the primary reason Johnny Newton is on this list is his fumble recovery at the goal line in the fourth quarter. Absent that play by the rookie defensive lineman, there’s a chance the Bears might have retained possession of the ball and finished the drive with a score instead of a turnover. It was a huge moment that changed the trajectory of the game.
You might be scratching your head here. After all, McNichols had only one carry for -1 yard on offense. However, there was another fumble recovery in this game, and it came on a 21-yard punt return by Olamide Zaccheaus that ended with the ball loose on the ground. McNichols pounced on the loose ball before anyone else even knew it was out of OZ’s hands.
Imagine how differently the game would have started if, after forcing a 3 & out on the Bears first drive of the game, Chicago had recovered that fumble at the Washington 36-yard line instead of McNichols. Heroic, game-changing plays don’t just happen late in the fourth quarter. In this case, the #3 RB made a huge save on Special Teams that barely got noticed because of how efficiently he did his job.
McLaurin didn’t score in this game, but he led all receivers by catching 5 of 8 targets for 125 yards. One of his receptions — a 61-yard bomb that flipped field position and set up the Commanders for a score on their second drive of the game — was such a great pass that it will certainly make...
