Nine for thirteen.
It was perhaps the most significant statistic of Sunday’s Commanders game in Tampa.
Yes, the score was 37-20. But even the final touchdown by the Commanders was basically a gimme by the Bucs, sitting back in prevent defense, allowing Jayden Daniels to convert all five of his attempts on the drive, making the score less embarrassing.
Head coach Dan Quinn felt the same regarding the nine-for-13 13 stat. Because at his press conference in Tampa, just minutes after the conclusion of the game, Quinn summed it up this way: “I think third down, if I had to look back on it right now, that was the biggest and certainly the story of the game. So, a lot to work on. Tampa was the better team today.”
Notice this third down that broke the Commanders again.
Former Washington WR Jalen McMillan scores his first career NFL TD and throws up the O-H on Mike Sainristil…
The football world ALL hates Michigan.
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) September 9, 2024
The Commanders’ defense gave up an absurd 69.2 percent of third downs to the Buccaneers. Put more bluntly, the Buccaneers shredded the Commanders on third downs. 69% of the time, the Buccaneers moved the chains or put the ball in the end zone.
Going back and looking at the third downs, there is not much one can spin positively. Strangely, it was so bad that it could have been even worse. How so? Well, at 11:43 of the opening Bucs’ possession, it was 3rd & 3 at the Commanders 38, and Jalen McMillan was wide open, having completely fooled Mike Sainristil. Fortunately, Baker Mayfield overthrew McMillan. Instead of a touchdown, the Bucs settled for three points.
But even this was only possible because earlier in the possession, yes, on 3rd & 1 at the Bucs 39, the Bucs failed to convert, forcing a punt. However, DE Clelin Ferrell illegally used his hands, extending the drive.
It would serve as an omen of what was to come on third downs for the Commanders defense all day in Tampa. Baker Mayfield had his best day as a pro with a 146.4 passer rating, tops in Week 1.
Dan Quinn was right. Third down was the story for the Commanders’ defense. He didn’t say it, but he did imply it, and he is correct. This team is the 2024 Commanders, not the 2023 Commanders. We can’t continue to blame only Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio.
