The Washington Commanders are now 7-5 and have won six of their last seven games after Sunday’s 19-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Like many of Washington’s games, it wasn’t always pretty, but when the Commanders needed to make a play, someone came up big.
Washington’s strategy has been to win with strong defense, a powerful, ball-control offense and limiting mistakes in the passing game. That’s the recipe the Commanders followed again on Sunday, although a Taylor Heinicke interception cost Washington potential points at the end of the first half.
Who stood out in the Commanders’ latest win?
We pick five standouts from Washington’s win over the Packers.
RB Brian Robinson Jr.
Brian Robinson Jr. was a one-man highlight reel for the Commanders Sunday. There was the touchdown reception where he ran over a Falcons defender. And there was the second-half run in which he ran through another defensive player.
But, most importantly, Robinson churned out tough yards for Washington. He ran for a career-high 105 yards and kept the chains moving for the Commanders. After an understandably slow start to his NFL career, Robinson is rounding into form at the absolute perfect time for Washington.
Offensive line
It was a good day for Washington’s offensive line. The Commanders rushed for 176 yards on a rainy day, and quarterback Taylor Heinicke was not sacked. One of the only issues for Washington was left guard Andrew Norwell’s holding penalty which ended a promising third-quarter drive for the Commanders. While the offensive line may not be a team strength like the defensive line, it’s much better than it was several weeks ago and that’s promising for Washington.
TE John Bates
Second-year tight end John Bates is quietly a significant contributor to Washington’s offense. If you go back and watch some of the running game, especially on the edges, watch Bates and Logan Thomas with critical blocks. There aren’t a lot of tight ends who like to block these days, and Washington has multiple tight ends who are terrific blockers. Bates also caught three passes, including Washington’s only touchdown in the second half to seal the victory.
DT Daron Payne
It was defensive tackle Daron Payne’s time to shine Sunday. Ok, Payne and Jonathan Allen shine every week, but Payne contributed six tackles for the Commanders, including two for loss and his deflection of Mariota’s pass with 40 seconds remaining helped end things for Washington. Payne and Allen were constantly double-teamed Sunday, yet Payne still found ways to make plays.
Payne continues to put on a show in his contract year.
CB Kendall Fuller
Cornerback Kendall Fuller had a rough start to the season. However, like most of Washington’s secondary, things started to turn once the Commanders benched [and later traded] William Jackson III. Washington’s miscommunications in the secondary are rare these days, and Fuller is playing like his old self. He isn’t allowing the big plays; he’s blowing up screens and making plays on the ball. Last week, it was a pick-six, and on Sunday, it was a game-winner.
Fuller is a captain for a reason. He’s a steady leader in the secondary and a good mentor for some of Washington’s young players. And for two consecutive weeks, he’s directly impacted a Commanders’ victory.
