The Washington Commanders offense is looking to rebound from two subpar performances.
The Commanders, in the last three games, have been outscored 39-11 in the fourth quarter.
In their last game, a 26-18 loss to the Eagles (8-2), the Commanders generated only 264 offensive yards, averaging 4.2 yards a play.
One of the early season successes for OC Kliff Kingsbury’s offense was the largely effective conversions on third and fourth downs. However, against the Eagles, the Commanders were only 3-12 on third down.
In particular, Jayden Daniels was not getting the ball down the field, as Terry McLaurin never even had a reception until 10:27 in the final quarter. Daniels was visibly inaccurate more often than usual.
In addition, Daniels only passed for 191 yards, though he attempted 32 passes. This resulted in Daniels averaging 5.9 yards per attempt, much lower than he was accomplishing earlier in the season.
The offensive line is beat up, though able to continue to play. Rookie Brandon Coleman had his worst pass-blocking performance in the last two weeks, but then again, he is playing with a shoulder that is not 100 percent. Guard Nick Allegretti and center Tyler Biadasz are playing injured.
Local DMV sports media might consider thinking a bit more before lashing out at Kingsbury, as some have. They suggest the Commanders’ offense is falling off because Kingsbury’s offenses always do later in the season.
That may or may not be true this season with Washington. What is undeniably true is that the Commanders’ offense is wounded right now, and the bye week can’t come soon enough for Washington.
The offensive personnel has many members playing injured. Consequently, their performance is bound to decrease. Kingsbury has not been the one bouncing passes, dropping passes, and being unable to pass in the last two weeks.
Understand the Steelers and Eagles are both division leaders through Week 11. They are simply better teams than the Commanders right now.
Yes, the offense has been struggling lately, but injuries to an offensive personnel already not one of the elites in the league while playing against two quality opponents only stand to reason there were going to be more struggles.
