Through the first four weeks of the 2023 NFL season, per Sports Info Solutions, the Washington Commanders’ defense has had a real problem defending the deep pass. Washington’s defense came into Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Bears tied for the league lead in completions allowed of 20 or more air yards (10) on 14 attempts, for 410 yards, 629 intended air yards, five touchdowns, one interception, and an opponent passer rating of 115.7.
It didn’t take long for Washington’s defense to show those vulnerabilities once again. On Chicago’s third play of the game, quarterback Justin Fields hit receiver DJ Moore on a 58-yard explosive play as Washington flipped from two-high to one-high safety coverage, and there was no safety help to Moore’s side of the field.
Justin Fields to DJ Moore for 58 yards! #Bears pic.twitter.com/fpvPkYjESe
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) October 6, 2023
Then, with 12:09 left in the first quarter, nobody got depth on Moore, and the results were predictable — a 20-yard touchdown.
.@justnfields connects with @idjmoore for 6
📺: #CHIvsWAS on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/yxAnxgFE0u
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 6, 2023
Knowledgeable observers were not thrilled with the Commanders’ defensive plans, regardless of the coverage interpretations.
folks are unamused pic.twitter.com/sLDMMMY5xE
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) October 6, 2023
It would behoove the Commanders to watch out for that DJ Moore guy as the game progresses.
