Hogs Haven
With nothing left to play for this season except pride, Dan Quinn’s squad showed they still have some fight left in them. Despite being outgained in total yards 384-340, going just 3-11 on third downs, losing the turnover battle 2-1 and getting flagged 11 times on the afternoon, Washington escaped MetLife Stadium with a 29-21 victory.
The leg of Jake Moody and a HUGE punt return touchdown by rookie Jaylin Lane were the differences in the game. Against a better football team, the Commanders likely would have lost by at least 6 points, but against the lowly Giants, this performance resulted in a win.
Below are my Studs and Duds of the game, followed by some notes.
Bill Croskey-Merritt: Bill carried the ball 18 times for 96 yards and a 16-yard touchdown. He averaged 5.3 yards per touch. He still needs to work on blitz pickup, but he’s EASILY our most dynamic presence in the backfield.
Jaylin Lane: Lane had a massive 63-yard punt return touchdown (his second of the season) that helped increase Washington’s lead. He had three returns for 91 yards and the score in the game. Lane was only targeted once and didn’t bring in the pass, but he showed well as a blocker on some quick screens.
Sam Cosmi: Cosmi was a damn BULLY all game! He was opening up holes in the run game and keeping his defender at bay in pass protection. He’s had an excellent season since returning from a knee injury.
Quan Martin: Martin had what I felt was his best game of the season in both coverage and run support. He led the team with nine total tackles (seven solo) and showed well in coverage with a few nice plays including his defended pass in the endzone to save a touchdown.
Antonio Hamilton: Hamilton played a REALLY good game coming up with multiple big plays. He led the team with two passes defended and disrupted another that would have been a touchdown to Slayton. His coverage on the day was outstanding.
Josh Conerly: The rookie had a HORRID start to the game, collecting two penalties on the Commanders opening drive and giving up a strip-sack on Washington’s next offensive possession. He allowed multiple pressures and quarterback hits on the afternoon. It was a HUGE step backwards for a guy who had been paying pretty well over the last five games.
Jeremy McNichols: McNichols carried nine times for six yards, had a false start penalty and a bad fumble late in the game, and although that didn’t come back to bite Washington, things like that simply can’t happen.
Preston Smith played his best game in his second stint with Washington. He had two tackles, one for a loss, a quarterback hit and two pressures.
Marcus Mariota was playing a pretty good game until his bone-headed fumble that almost came back to haunt Washington. He’s...
