Hogs Haven
Commanders.com
“Even though it was a short week, we prepared well,” Johnson said. “The things were out there that we wanted to get done. We just had a couple of plays here and there that we left on the field.”
That is perhaps the worst part of the Commanders’ 10th loss since starting the season 3-2. The Commanders were competitive, despite being down multiple starters and losing more to injury during the game itself. Johnson, who had just five days to prepare for his first start in four years, handled himself well, while the defense kept the league’s second-best offense subdued at times, or at least well enough to keep the score close.
But the Commanders, now 4-12, couldn’t find ways to finish in the game’s most critical moments, and it gave Dallas enough life to leave Northwest Stadium with a win.
“We competed to the end, but our execution, especially in the winning-time moments, it is not enough,” said head coach Dan Quinn.
Washington Post (paywall)
In Washington’s 30-23 defeat, young players such as Johnny Newton and Bill Croskey-Merritt demonstrate how they might fit in the future.
The Commanders (4-12) were hardly recognizable from the team that began the season. They not only had eight starters on injured reserve, but another three were inactive because of injuries: quarterback Jayden Daniels, left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive tackle Daron Payne. They were even without key backups such as quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Late in the second quarter, center Tyler Biadasz suffered knee and ankle injuries; he wore a walking boot in the locker room after the game. Biadasz will undergo an MRI exam and testing Friday to determine the severity of the injuries.
Nick Allegretti, who started at right guard in place of Sam Cosmi, who is on injured reserve with a concussion, had to slide over to center. Altogether, the Commanders finished the game with seven backups on offense and five on defense.
Brandon Coleman
Brandon Coleman started in place of Tunsil at left tackle for the second straight week. After a strong showing against the Eagles, he put forth another one against the Cowboys.
Coleman didn’t allow a single pressure when he replaced Tunsil for 32 snaps in Week 15 or when he started last week, according to TruMedia. And while the pressure data isn’t yet available for Thursday’s game against Dallas, he didn’t give up a sack.
The one significant blunder from Coleman was a false start penalty in the fourth quarter with the Commanders trailing 27-20 and facing a fourth and three. Instead of going for it, they punted. The Cowboys went on to extend their lead to 30-20 and effectively put the game away.
The Athletic (paywall)
