Hogs Haven
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Commanders’ fans. With the short week coinciding with the Christmas holiday, I have fallen one game behind with the Stats and Snaps. Hopefully this will still be of interest to the hard core readers who still pay attention this late in a losing season.
The Commanders started the Week 16 match against the Philadelphia Eagles with an unexpectedly strong performance for a team missing its star QB and key starters on both sides of the ball. On the opening kickoff return, Mike Sainristil forced a fumble to give the Commanders the ball deep in Eagles’ territory.
The Commanders kept the game close through the first half. When they took possession to start the second half, they were leading 10-7. Things took a turn on their first drive, when backup QB Marcus Mariota left the game with an injury. From that point on, the Eagles scored three touchdowns to the Commanders’ one, with an assist from some key penalties called on Washington. The offense, led by third string backup Josh Johnson, was unable to keep pace with the Eagles. The defense, missing key starters, with more injuries on the way, was unable to help.
In the week following the game, Mariota had stitches on his throwing hand and was ruled out against the Cowboys. DT Daron Payne was also ruled out with a new back injury, and RG Sam Cosmi, DT Eddie Goldman, and WR/PR Jaylin Lane were placed on IR with injuries suffered against Philadelphia.
After the opening kickoff, there was not really much for Commanders’ fans to get excited about. But for those readers who are still paying attention, here is your weekly dose of who played where and who did what in the Commanders’ 18-29 home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Stats Sources
Stats were sourced from the NFL, Pro Football Reference (PFR), Pro Football Focus (PFF), or ESPN. NFL official stats were used whenever available. When the source is not indicated, it means either than NFL official stats were used or that there was agreement between stats services. The source is not always indicated if a stat is only available from one source (eg. PFF: stops, run stops, Y/RR, QB hurries; ESPN: QBR).
Expected Points Added (EPA) quantifies the contribution of individual plays to a team’s scoring potential on a drive. These are all the plays with EPA greater than 2.4 or less than -2.4.
Biggest Plays for Commanders
Q4, 1:20, 3rd and 20 at PHI 40: Josh Johnson pass incomplete deep right intended for Treylon Burks. Penalty on Kelee Ringo: Defensive Pass Interference, 37 yards (accepted). EPA 5.49
Q2, 5:14, 1st and 2 at PHI 2: Chris Rodriguez left guard for 1 yard. EPA 3.72
Q2, 9:06, 1st and 10 at WAS 33: Marcus Mariota pass complete deep left to Terry McLaurin for 40 yards. EPA 2.64
Q3, 2:31, 3rd and 9 at WAS 27: Josh Johnson pass complete short middle to Deebo...
