The Washington Commanders are right in the middle of a playoff race, which was impossible to imagine one year ago at this time. The Commanders were on their way to eight consecutive losses to end a 4-13 season.
Times have changed.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leads a record-setting offense, while the Washington defense is improving each week. On Sunday, the Commanders will add a critical component to their defense when Marshon Lattimore makes his debut. Washington traded for Lattimore at the NFL trade deadline last month, and he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The Commanders enter Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC’s No. 7 playoff seed. The Rams are red-hot, and Washington can’t afford to slip up against an injury-ravaged Saints squad.
What must the Commanders do to beat New Orleans? Here are four keys to victory.
Make Jake Haener’s life miserable
Jake Haener has appeared in several games for the Saints, but he will make his first NFL start on Sunday against the Commanders. The second-year quarterback leads an injury-depleted offense that has lost the likes of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Taysom Hill.
Washington’s defensive strategy is simple: Get after Haener early and often. New Orleans’ top receiver is Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who it added in October. MVS is averaging 24 yards per reception and has four touchdowns since coming to the Saints, so expect him to see plenty of Lattimore. Ultimately, the goal is to keep the pressure on the Saints’ young quarterback.
Shut down Alvin Kamara
Kamara missed practice twice this week due to illness. He was on the field Friday and is good to go for Sunday. Kamara remains one of the NFL’s best running backs. He’s a true do-it-all back, as he can gash you in the run game or make big plays in the passing game. Expect Commanders’ defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to load the box to slow Kamara while applying more pressure on Haener to make plays.
Run the ball
Two weeks ago, Washington focused on its running game with Daniels, Brian Robinson Jr., and Chris Rodriguez Jr. The result was 267 rushing yards and 42 points. While the opponent was Tennessee, it’s easy to forget the Titans had the NFL’s No. 2 defense entering that game.
The Commanders should be able to run the ball against New Orleans. That’s not to say offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury shouldn’t pass the ball, but the goal coming into the game is to demoralize the New Orleans defense. You can do that by running the ball.
Spread the ball around
Before Noah Brown’s injury, Dyami Brown had become more involved in the offense in recent weeks. That’s a good sign, as Noah Brown was second among Washington wide receivers in receptions, yards, and targets before being sidelined for likely the remainder of the season. The object of the game is to win, of course, so you must do everything possible to achieve that win. But along the way, Kingsbury and Daniels should work to find out which receiver will step up opposite Terry McLaurin.
Brown has thrived with the ball in his hands this season. He’s also an excellent deep ball receiver. The Commanders should focus on getting him, Luke McCaffrey, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Ben Sinnott the ball against New Orleans. Washington has Philadelphia in Week 16. When the Eagles played the Commanders last month, no receiver outside McLaurin stepped up. To overcome Philly next week, Washington must find him some help. This week is a perfect time to start.
