October 2, 2025 • 25 mins
The Commanders are looking to bound back from their loss in Atlanta by going across the country to take on Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers. Michael Jenkins from the Get Loud Podcast and Scott Jackson from ESPNradio and Big100 join Commanders Senior Writer Zach Selby to discuss adjustments on defense, how to get more out of the Commanders' wide receivers and keys to a Commanders victory.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:11):
What's going on, y'all? This is another episode of the
Beatdown Podcast Looks five edition. I am your host Commanders
Senior writers Zach Selby, and the Commanders are coming out
their second road loss of the year at the hands
of the Atlanta Falcons thirty four to twenty seven. Tough matchup.
You could see a lot of the self inflicted errors
(00:32):
come in to play there. For the Commanders, they've never
seen that. They were quite out of it. They fought hard,
but at the end, when you have players like Drake London,
you have players like Kyle Fits and Vajon Robinson putting
up a combined through in three hundred and sixty one
totally ours and three touchdowns, it's gonna be a tough
day and you can't have any sort of mistakes. But
that's exactly what happened. And now they have to lick
(00:53):
their wounds to come back and go cross country to
the Los Angeles Chargers, who are suffering their first loss
of the season to the New York Giants, and it's
gonna be a tough match up there. They have a
top ten offense, top five defense, and it's gonna be
a challenge for this team that is getting some getting
hopefully get some players back. But we shall see as
the week goes on, and how are they going to
(01:15):
do that? How are they gonna get to three and
two on the year. Well, that is what we're going
to be talking about today. And with us we have
Scott Jackson. You can listen to him on Espen Radio
and the Big one hundred. Scott, how you doing?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Very good?
Speaker 1 (01:30):
All right? And we also have Michael Jenkins. You can
hear him with my pseudo friend of me slash arch
Fred smoot On. Get loud for the Commanders, Jenks, how
you doing man?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
I'm good man. Great to be with you guys.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
All right, So everyone listening, they all know the deal.
By now. I'll be asking these guys three questions offense, defense,
more reginal question previewing this matchup against the Chargers. There
will be points giving out at the end of each round,
and as my burden as the host, I shall be
proclaiming a winner. But as I always say, you should
be more focused on what these two experts have to
(02:04):
say on the game. Let's jump right into it, and
I think we have to start, guys with the explosive
plays that were allowed by this team, and you could
see a lot of it, whether it was the John
Robinson sixty nine yard catching run that was or some
of these forty three yarders about that and Drake London
had and that's just simply not a formula for success.
(02:26):
And DQ talked about it is Monday press conference. They
definitely knew you need to fix it and get that
get that fix quickly. But what I want to learn
from you guys is what do you guys think the
remedy for this is, because as they said, like this,
this cannot continue if they're going to help going to
have the season that they want to have. So Scott,
we shall start with you.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Well, I mean it would be great if we've heard
a lot about communication. We've also heard a lot about
you know, I discipline and these type of things, and
uh press conferences pass leading up to these games for
some issues in the back end, and they've had them
really in every game they've had them, maybe outside of
the Giants game. You know, they've given up a big
play or a bunch and I think, to me, I
(03:10):
always kind of to fall back to in this in
this case, this Atlanta game in particular, I just thought
there wasn't enough pass rush, and I don't think this
is probably the worst game for the pass rush they
had in a lot of ways. I just, you know,
I getting home on Penix, a guy who was coming
off his worst game, I just thought there was there
was a way to disrupt him and to kind of,
you know, knock him down early and try to get
(03:31):
into his head a little bit. I don't think they
ever really did that in this game consistently. So for me,
I think this pass rush has got to got to
get a lot better. It was a concern certainly coming
into the season. They made some decisions obviously in the
offseason about shoring up a run defense. I think in
some ways they've shown that they've done that. I mean,
this was obviously their biggest struggle against a run against
Bijean and Algier, which are two of the better combinations
(03:53):
in the NFL. But I just you know, we got
to see pass rush more consistently. Armstrong has been great
this year. This was probably his least impactful game by
a lot, and you know, is it just can't just
be him though, It's got to be a lot of
other guys. And if they're not going to able to
get home with the four, they're going to have to
start blitzing more it center pressure. So to me, I
think turning up the pressure is the way to help
(04:14):
the guys in the back end right now, because clearly
you can't expect them, you know, just to hold it
down back there, because they've shown at this point the
season that there's some vulnerabilities.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
And Deek you we even mentioned that he wishes that
there could have been some more some more stunts, a
little bit more simulated pressure to get that going, and
I would definitely agree with that. I think I think
there was especially against an offensive line that was performing
as one of the one of the better groups in
the league. Hasn't really allowed a lot of sacks on
Michael Pennik's at all so far this year. But James
(04:43):
will switch over to you in the same question, like
what do you think the remedy is here? Is it
something as simple as in the shifting and the person
nail in the back end or is it just as
Scott said, getting more of out of the path rush.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
I think Scott hit the nail on the head here
and there are a few things to it. Now when
you look at the Falcons offensive line. You don't know
necessarily think of Atlanta having this release stout offensive front,
but they do. I mean, they're one of the better,
if not one of the best groups in the League's
certainly a top ten group. And if you look at
the week before against Carolina, Michael Pennick struggled.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Why because the Panthers got pressure on him.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
And certainly, when you have the weapons that he has
at his disposal and some of the best individual weapons
in the league, if you give him the time that
they gave him on Sunday, then he's going to make
you pay.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
That's what happened.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
I think there could be some adjustments in the scheme
that do need to be made. I'll leave that up
to the experts. But certainly when you see like John
Robinson out in the flat against Bobby Wagner. Now Bobby
was late there, but even at Bobby's peak, like that's
just a mismatch, right, So something needs to be done
where you don't have a linebacker, a middle linebacker on
one of the most dynamic players in the league. I
think the Commanders missed a guy like Will Harris as well.
(05:46):
I think his presence, you know, on the sidelines as
opposed to in the game has really hurt this team.
I don't think we realized how much of an effect
he was going to have on this defense in a
positive way. And frankly, communication is going to be right
there near the top. These guys are just not necessarily
in the right spots during those explosive plays because they're
either getting beat men up or they're just not where
they should be. And when you have new players in
(06:08):
it's exciting. It makes you better as a team, there's
no question about that. But it also takes time for
you to learn each other's habits and to communicate and
sometimes over communicate. You know, we were talking about that
on the pod this week. If you have to over
communicate and call out a few different players or possibilities
just to make sure everyone is on the same page,
you do it. And maybe that's something that emphasize this week.
I think it's multifaceted, but like Scott says, it starts.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Up front again.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
I had one thing too. You know you're talking about personnel.
I mean there's not a lot of options, right, I mean,
you got people out. Jonathan Jones is out, obviously, Mit
Jenks just mentioned Will Harrison injury is a big deal.
So I mean, you know, we get a lot of
this in the post game taking calls and it's like, well,
bench this guy, bench that kind of like, well who.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
You putting in?
Speaker 2 (06:48):
I mean, you're option right now, You're not. And this
isn't the time of year to go out and find
those people. So you got to kind of dance with
who you brought at this point and to you know,
to all of our points, it's pass rush and it's
obviously going to be better communication. And they got to
hurry that up because you know, every week it continues
to get harder with some of these quarterbacks are going
to face.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
So I also want to bring up the idea of
how motion has really affected this defense, because it looks
like it's done quite a bit, right I think I
think I saw from esp and John Kaye this morning
that they were allowing like five hundred and fifteen yards
whenever a team uses motion. So I'm curious Scott for you,
like what do you like, what what do you think
is cosnal confusion for them when they whenever teams use motion?
(07:30):
And and again like is it just a matter of
like keep making sure linebackers don't don't get on players
like Robinson or anything like that. I mean, what do
you think that is the cause of that? How do
you how do you remedy that?
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Well? I mean, I'm obviously not a defensive coordinator. I
was thinking again to go back to what we're talking
about communication and guys having or know what to do
with it. I'm sure they go over this in practice.
I mean, this idea that they didn't think that this
was a problem. This is kind of funny after especially
after the Green Bay game. Clearly they know it. They've
you know, they've talked about it, they filmed that, they
filmed study it. So again, you just you know, in
real time, these guys have to remember the keys and
(08:04):
what they're supposed to do there and execute. I mean,
that's really what it boils down to, because again we
saw it in week two, Yes, Atlanta, you know, or
excuse me, with Green Bay they exploited and Atlanta did
some of the same stuff with Zach Robinson's offense this week,
and you know, maybe the Chargers will do the same
as well. Lab McConkey is going to be an interesting
match up here in this game. But yeah, I mean,
I just think again, it's it's guys have to take
(08:26):
what they've been been taught and bring it to the field.
If it's something that they don't think is working, you know,
maybe this is again we were talking about this in
the post game was smooth.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
You know.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Sometimes this is where the DB's they got to speak up,
you know, and the linebackers say, hey, coach, we think
this might you know, what are we what about this?
And you know, have a back and forth. And I
think Joe Wits the type of guy and the staffs
the type of people that would be willing to listen
to that or they think it was going to.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Help the team. Yeah, no, I agree. And what has
talked about this quite a bit of the last couple
of years that whenever something is wrong with the defense,
he points the finger at himselves as okay, so the
cluison little what's wrong with the way I'm teaching it?
And then we need to fix up whatever that is
and how they're able to communicate it. And one last
thing on the pass rush jinks. I mean we've mentioned Dorants,
Armstrong and all that stuff, but like we also also
(09:08):
know Ditrich wise out for the year. Devonte Jean Baptiste
gonna be out for at least a while with that
torn peck. As you said on Monday, I mean, what
what is the what do you who you think needs
to step up with in that regard to get more
pressure out of out of that group, because having two
of your two of your defensive ends out this Roland
season is really tough.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Yeah, it is, and I think you know you have
to Unfortunately, you have to put even more of the
load on Dorant's armstrong and what he said, which has
been phenomenal, right, Like he's been one of the better stories,
not just for this team but in the entire NFL.
I don't think you can necessarily rely on a guy
like von Miller, Like he'll pop up in spots right
in big moments, but you know, he's sort of passed
the point where maybe he's going to be a consistent
rusher off the edge. I think, unfortunately you kind of
(09:51):
have to rely on the guys and maybe you have
to mix and match up front with you know, whether
it's stunts, whether it's showing different looks and trying to
confuse the quarterback or trying to forse the offense into
a different play. But you know, what has been a
real strength or what was the strength going into the
season has now become not necessarily weakness. But there's not
the depth there that we expected to be there. So
I think that comes down to again, you have to
(10:12):
scheme certain plays on defense to try to confuse the
offense and you know, generate more rush that maybe you
can't get naturally.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
Yeah, and I don't think anybody you know, obviously, injuries,
as they're saying, goes one hundred percent in the league
for injuries on players in the NFL. But it's hard
when you have this much at this point in the year,
and you're gonna have to get creative at some point
to mitigate those those losses. And I'm very curious to
see what they do for the rest of the year.
I'll give you, guys, both points for that round. Both
(10:39):
points are really good made on the dems of one.
On the thank you, You're welcome. You know no what
says thank you, so I appreciate it, thank you, I'm glad,
I'm glad we can we can have that sort of
a back and forth there. Okay, on to the next
question here, and we'll till we talk about injuries and
we have guys like care floren No Brown who their
(11:01):
injuries are. We heard the training in the right direction,
but we don't know exactly where they're at right now.
It seems like they're gonna be back at some point.
But until then, we've guys like God, guys like Luke McCaffrey,
got guys like Chris Moore having a step up. I mean,
I guess like it's well, you obviously you want your
best players out there and everything, but you're gonna have
to find ways for those guys to step up. And
(11:21):
Janks will start with you here. I mean, how do
they how do they get more production out of this
out of the limited.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
Options they have ever sin, I think two things and
number one is and it's a good thing that we
saw last week, right Like it pretends well for the future,
which is the development of Luke McCaffrey being on special teams,
you know, getting that touchdown and so we've seen him
over the past couple of games and really on special teams,
but now you know, maybe starting to show what he
can do at receiver. If he steps up, that's gonna
be huge for this team and they need him. You know.
(11:47):
If I'm Cliff Kingsbury. If I'm d Q, you know,
I sit with Luke and I'm like, listen, it's your time.
You're gonna get plenty of time. We need you here.
It's next man up, and it's your time. So he
needs to be the productive guy that they draft when
he was coming out of Rise in It. And then secondly,
I think this is where Cliff has to really get
in his bag, right, Like he has to do things
and be really creative, and you don't want to overdo
(12:07):
it and get gimmicky. But it's like we saw in
that two point conversion, right, we saw that beautifully designed
play where Marcus Molighty looked like he was going to
run off maybe a read option and then he tosses
it to Zach Ertz for the two point conversion.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Beautiful play.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Now, certainly that's when everything works out perfectly, but if
your Cliff and you have limited options, that's when you
have to find ways to get guys open, and maybe
you use that running back by committee and use some
of those guys out of the backfield, because certainly, you
know Bill is a guy who can catch passes.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
We've seen other guys in the backfield do that. As well.
But it really is about this is.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
When if you're an offensive coordinator, you have to make
your money now.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Yeah, for for sure. And I do think that you've
seen a lot of really interesting plays out of Cliff,
whether it's you know, starting the game off with the
Jets for deep to Deebo Sandle against the Falcons, are
getting even just Deebo in general more involved. Scott over
you to the same question here, and like I say, like,
how do how do you kind of take some of
the pressure off of these guys? And it is, as
(13:02):
jin said, just kind of maybe like adding a little
bit more of the run game to get more creative.
Like what do you think about that?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Yeah, I think they need to lean into running the
ball more. And you know, Jenkins hit it a little
bit there too, and I agree with that, and even
using these guys in the passing game, but like krossky Merritt,
you know, seven carries and you know, I know they
tell you, well, if he's out there, it's an obvious
teller running the ball because he's not great in pass
pro and he's not the receiver and all this stuff.
And he did get blown up on one pass pro,
(13:28):
but all I know is he doesn't take negative runs, right.
I mean, he is great visiting, he gets that little
hop thing he does, he doesn't take negative runs. I
just think they need to be stubborn sometimes. I kind
of hear it in dan Quinn's voice after these games
that I think he feels like they need to really
lean into the run a little bit more. You know.
I had pretty good balance, you know, and a lot
of that is late. You know, you got to throw
(13:48):
because you're behind and all that stuff. But I just
thought early when they were when they were getting themselves
in trouble, they were being too cute with the passing game.
I wanted to see Mario to keep it more. I
mean he didn't really do that. He had the one
scram but there was really no keepers. And maybe that's
a credit to Atlanta. Maybe they maybe they set the
edge really well and took it away unlike the Raiders.
I don't know. But you know, whoever the quarterback is
(14:08):
this week, you have to make this defense of the
Chargers defend eleven. They're not a good rush defense. I
think they're middle of the pack in the league. You
can run on them, and I think the Commanders need
to lean into that because that will that will change everything.
You got to bring it extra, go on the box.
Then you'll get the shots downfield to Jalen Lane. You
won't have a safety helping over the top like you did.
Although I think if there's good ball placement there, maybe
Lane gets six or at least as a shot and
(14:30):
getting the ball and anyway, look, I think they've gotten
a ton out of debut. I think they've used debot
very well. I'm encouraged by McCaffrey the last couple of weekends.
You know, Lane will come along. He's a talented kid.
I'm not worried about him. And then obviously when you
get seventeen back, everybody looks better. But I mean, whoever
the quarterback is. I really think they got to get
back to really the RPOs and leaning into that and
(14:52):
the quarterback being a live runner and and then I
know will scare people of Jayden's back because he's coming
off an injury, but if he can't do that, then
he shouldn't play right and then you should keep Mariot
on the field if you're worried about injury at that point.
So I just think they need to get back to
doing that. This at the heart of this team, even
though he's, you know, Cliff Kingsbury, the air raid offense,
it's been the ground and pound team, let's be honest.
(15:13):
I mean they've they've been a great running team, but
they're number two in the NFL and rushing lean into
that more. I mean, that's what they've got to do,
and that's what they're built to do in terms of
the offensive line right now as well.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Yeah, and to that point, they are second in the
league and average directing arts per game. I think they're
first in the league in yards per tentph. They're seventeenth
in total attempts right now, which is right. Yeah, to
the point that they you would want to see them more.
And I mentioned this even in like in a mailbag
question I answered earlier today, and it's it's always kind
(15:44):
of cyclical, right like whether you want to get how
you want to get the run game going, because you
see some of some of the things they do to
kind of stay on the field. But right now, I
think they're twenty third in average plays per game, and
they were I think they were like thirteenth at this
point last year. And a lot of it comes because
they're they're running into like these so inflicted errors like
whether it's a false start from Vicker if they turned
(16:06):
the third and two into a third and seven, or
the intentional grounding call for Marioto. With these smaller things
seem to kind of disrupt the flow a little bit
and it seems like it's a little bit more disjointed.
And maybe maybe leaning into the ring game is going
to be able to help that because it's a lot simpler.
But Jenks, what do you think about that? Is like,
you know, how do you fix these self inflicted errors
and help the flow because in order to get the
(16:28):
ring and going, they do need to stay on the
field more often, right.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Yeah, they do.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
And I don't know if it means maybe a change
to the offensive line, which they've already tinkered a little
bit obviously with Chris Paul and bringing him in on
the weft side and then trying to help out Josh
Connolly Junior and sitting Brandon Coleman.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
Maybe you bring back Brandon Coleman.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
I know he's been a healthy scratch, but certainly he
has the talent that's why they drafted him.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Maybe that helps, And.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
Also I think too, the only thing that worris me
about that is that you know, when you're constantly, you know,
substituting guys.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Offensive line p is is definitely about cohesion.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
Right, these guys knowing one another, knowing how to play
off one another, communicating, which has been an issue in the.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Secondary as well.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
But maybe they can find something there because it certainly
worked against the Raiders. I just think that you want
to build that chemistry and you want to put in
your best guys, but you want to you don't want
to do it too much where it sort of disrupts
the flow that you have going because sometimes you can
have these panic reactions where if you'll just give it
a game or two. And I think Deq you talked
about that once you have a better sample size, then
(17:25):
you know who's working and who's not.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
But I think potentially that's something that could look at.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Yeah, I think so for sure. And you know, Scott
will move on. We'll move on to you real quick
before we go on to the last question here. And
I think you mentioned Jalen Lane and because we haven't
really taught of any of the other Debt players, the receiver,
I'm just curious, like what you've thought of him. So far,
and like well, because I know they say a perfect role,
he would be more of a slot receiver, but what
what what do you think about his possible usage more
and do you think that's going to be helped alleviate
(17:51):
some of these other guys like Luke and Chris and
some of the players that maybe aren't experienced, but we
would have to play more.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Well, Like he's explosive. I saw a lot of them
in college. I know that, and and certainly we saw
it with his punt return a few weeks ago against
the h Raiders. Love the way returns punts. I mean,
he's always going forward. I mean, be Mitch has talked
about this so much over the years about you know,
getting north, you know, getting north on the returns, and
you know, guys that are East West Runners end up
getting themselves in trouble. But he's very decisive, he sees
it quickly. In terms of receiver. I mean, it's been
(18:19):
a mixed bag so far. Obviously he dropped the touchdown
against the Raiders, probably should have had that. You know,
he hasn't really got as many touches or any any targets.
But I think over time, you know, he'll be fine,
you know, and certainly probably a little challenging for a
rookie when you know, you repped a lot with with
Jaden this offseason and then obviously, you know, two games in,
he's out, and then it's Mariota, who maybe you haven't
repped as much with, and then so it's kind of
(18:40):
a you know, you're going back and forth a little bit,
but you know, it's the life of a rookie in
the NFL. But I do think he has a a
you know, break and open type of skill set, you know,
similar to Diami Brown, maybe a little bit like Oz
that with which they're lacking this year. But but I
think he has got a better overall package coming into
the league than those guys had, So that that's what
excites me about him, and I think he's gonna be fine.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
The coaches that I think is definitely intrigued by him,
and even I mean, you've got guys like Terry who
spoke like at the end of training camp he thinks
he said, look, well he can really help us, not
to the inside but on the outside as well, because
I think he got the talent to do it. It's
just a matter of getting the reps we'll move on
to the last question here. I'll give both of you
guys a point again even matchup heading into the final round.
(19:23):
So thank you this time. Okay, that's fine.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Thank you so much, Zach. We really appreciated Jack.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Let's not lay out on too thick, all right, I
get it. But you know, when I look at this
question here, at this flash quarter, I think I was like,
you know, maybe this is a little too black and white,
maybe too simplified, But I do think with all these
things going on with the Chargers, I think there it
is worth asking here, just keep it simple here, what
do you think is the biggest key for them to
(19:52):
get back on track and stop stop this roller coaster
they've been on for the last four weeks about you know, Okay,
they're playing well, then they've got the mirrors, they're playing well,
then they've got you know, these other issues again, So
how do they kind of get back on smooth sailing? Here?
And Scott will start with you, Well.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
It'd be great if you got off to a fast start, right.
I don't think outside of the first you know, the
first game in some degree in the Raiders game too,
you know, even though early on the Raiders. You know,
we're hanging around. It's playing from with a lead. I mean,
that was the script that was so good for them
in a lot of games last year, was dictating kind
of the terms of the fight. You know, they're going
(20:28):
to be better. The defense could be better. When you're ahead,
you need to build tee off. You know, the Chargers
are probably gonna pass it a lot anyway with Herbert,
even though they've got major protection issues, you know, with
all these injuries they're dealing with. Although all Marion Amton,
that rookie looks really good for them. But I'd say, look,
get off to a fast start. And it's easier said
than done, clearly. But but you know, three and out
like this week, you know, Atlanta takes the ball, they
(20:49):
have to settle for field goal, but then the Commanders
go three and out. Then the Falcons catching with a
touchdown that fount. Know the Cammanders had a night second
drive obviously to get it in the end zone. But
you know, I'd just like to see this team get
off the fast start, especially on the road. You know,
it's a California crownd. It ain't gonna be great anyway,
Probably gonna be a lot of burginny of gold out there,
get them fired up, kind of like the Atlanta. You
saw that Atlanta too, So I just think fast start
(21:10):
is key on both sides of the ball this week.
And if they could do that and kind of play
with the lead and you know, kind of get the
Chargers a little uncomfortable, I think that would make life
blood easier for not only the defense, but also for
the offense as well.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
In the last four games they have started a game
with a punt. That's just not not indicative of what
this team was last year. And obviously things they'll translate
always year to year, but it is a start difference
from from what a fast paced, go down the field
unit that we saw last year. So Jenks same question
going over you, what's one thing they need to do
(21:46):
to get back on track against the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
They have to pressure Justin Herbert. They just absolutely have to.
And that's how the Giants went last week, right.
Speaker 4 (21:56):
I know it's easy to focus on this top down analysis,
which I do time, which is are like, hey, Jackson
Dart looked really good. But now you know, even without
Malik Neighbors had the Giants win that game, it's because
their defense kept putting the Giants offense on short fields
because the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
Just could not move the ball.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
And there's that one play where or not just a
field sorry Justin Herbert, and Justin Herbert drops back, he
tries to pull the ball sexy dex. He gives up,
you know, knocks it away, then catches it, brings it back.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Like they just couldn't get any.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
Sort of thing going on the offensive side because the
Giants just kept bringing the pressure. And we saw the
Commanders do that against the Raiders right like they were
constantly swallowing up Geno Smith. They were constantly swallowing up
Ash and Genty And the Chargers are a much better squad.
But now if you look at that offense on the
offensive line, they're really hurting Sean Slater as we know.
I mean, he was out at the beginning of the season.
(22:46):
Now it looks like Joe Alt is going to be
out for maybe the remainder of Bee if not for
a significant part.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
So they are weak on the offensive line.
Speaker 4 (22:54):
And the one reason why that Justin Herbert has really
elevated his game this season is that the.
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Chargers are now more balanced offense. They don't throw as much.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
And because they have a running game, then all of
a sudden you can't really focus on Justin Herbert.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
And when he does pass, he has time and he
can make you pay. And he's been so good this
season at doing that.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
But if you can pressure him and make him uncomfortable
like the Giants did, you can give the Commanders short
fields on offense and prevent the charters from creating those
explosive plays that really haunted this Commander's team, you know,
over the first four weeks.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
So I think that's a key.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
So as an aside, sexy dexy and even as the
cross divisional opponent is unreal great is a great nick.
You really can't beat it. Both points good bye bye
you guys. Light the fast start stuff because as an
offsive guy obviously loves score points, love to see them
fast starts. Justin Herbert, one of the better quarterbacks in
(23:46):
the league. Got to get him off his spot. Man,
I think I gotta go with Jenks here on the
point and the win because you got two offensive starters
out on the off of the one. You have to
take adventite that, especially after getting Michael Pennixtenior down only
one time for nine yards. And I don't know if
you'll heard about this guy in Quinton Johnston, but oh
(24:07):
my god, he's been lighting the league on fire so
for three and thirty seven yards, and he's he's a problem.
And I think if we're talking about leaving some of
the pressure and limiting exupposed to plays, getting pressure on
Justin Herbert and stopping that at the point of attack
is exactly to do it. So jinks, you're taking the
win here. How do you feel about it?
Speaker 4 (24:27):
Ah?
Speaker 3 (24:27):
Man, it's just I gotta think so many. I want
to thank you guys.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
I mean, it's been it's been amazing Zach the host
and Scott. I mean, my god, the incredible work he's
done in the post game show. I got to thank
my friends and my family here, all the people out
of Watchington Commanders for their support.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
It's been. It's been a great run here on the pod.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
You know.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
I just want to say, I'm not gonna thank you anymore, Zach,
because it didn't do any good. So I'm just gonna
keep that out of the yesh.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Well, we don't give out brownie points here points of
brown but you held your own either way. You know,
things I was almost if you admit just me, I
was gonna pull out the Oscar music. But we're we're
okay here, We're fine. But guys, thank you so much
for coming on, and hopefully we'll be discussing a win
for the Commanders, getting a three and two back into
(25:13):
above five hundred and guys listening, be sure to rate
your view, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and this
has been the beat
What's going on, y'all? This is another episode of the
Beatdown Podcast Looks five edition. I am your host Commanders
Senior writers Zach Selby, and the Commanders are coming out
their second road loss of the year at the hands
of the Atlanta Falcons thirty four to twenty seven. Tough matchup.
You could see a lot of the self inflicted errors
(00:32):
come in to play there. For the Commanders, they've never
seen that. They were quite out of it. They fought hard,
but at the end, when you have players like Drake London,
you have players like Kyle Fits and Vajon Robinson putting
up a combined through in three hundred and sixty one
totally ours and three touchdowns, it's gonna be a tough
day and you can't have any sort of mistakes. But
that's exactly what happened. And now they have to lick
(00:53):
their wounds to come back and go cross country to
the Los Angeles Chargers, who are suffering their first loss
of the season to the New York Giants, and it's
gonna be a tough match up there. They have a
top ten offense, top five defense, and it's gonna be
a challenge for this team that is getting some getting
hopefully get some players back. But we shall see as
the week goes on, and how are they going to
(01:15):
do that? How are they gonna get to three and
two on the year. Well, that is what we're going
to be talking about today. And with us we have
Scott Jackson. You can listen to him on Espen Radio
and the Big one hundred. Scott, how you doing?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Very good?
Speaker 1 (01:30):
All right? And we also have Michael Jenkins. You can
hear him with my pseudo friend of me slash arch
Fred smoot On. Get loud for the Commanders, Jenks, how
you doing man?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
I'm good man. Great to be with you guys.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
All right, So everyone listening, they all know the deal.
By now. I'll be asking these guys three questions offense, defense,
more reginal question previewing this matchup against the Chargers. There
will be points giving out at the end of each round,
and as my burden as the host, I shall be
proclaiming a winner. But as I always say, you should
be more focused on what these two experts have to
(02:04):
say on the game. Let's jump right into it, and
I think we have to start, guys with the explosive
plays that were allowed by this team, and you could
see a lot of it, whether it was the John
Robinson sixty nine yard catching run that was or some
of these forty three yarders about that and Drake London
had and that's just simply not a formula for success.
(02:26):
And DQ talked about it is Monday press conference. They
definitely knew you need to fix it and get that
get that fix quickly. But what I want to learn
from you guys is what do you guys think the
remedy for this is, because as they said, like this,
this cannot continue if they're going to help going to
have the season that they want to have. So Scott,
we shall start with you.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Well, I mean it would be great if we've heard
a lot about communication. We've also heard a lot about
you know, I discipline and these type of things, and
uh press conferences pass leading up to these games for
some issues in the back end, and they've had them
really in every game they've had them, maybe outside of
the Giants game. You know, they've given up a big
play or a bunch and I think, to me, I
(03:10):
always kind of to fall back to in this in
this case, this Atlanta game in particular, I just thought
there wasn't enough pass rush, and I don't think this
is probably the worst game for the pass rush they
had in a lot of ways. I just, you know,
I getting home on Penix, a guy who was coming
off his worst game, I just thought there was there
was a way to disrupt him and to kind of,
you know, knock him down early and try to get
(03:31):
into his head a little bit. I don't think they
ever really did that in this game consistently. So for me,
I think this pass rush has got to got to
get a lot better. It was a concern certainly coming
into the season. They made some decisions obviously in the
offseason about shoring up a run defense. I think in
some ways they've shown that they've done that. I mean,
this was obviously their biggest struggle against a run against
Bijean and Algier, which are two of the better combinations
(03:53):
in the NFL. But I just you know, we got
to see pass rush more consistently. Armstrong has been great
this year. This was probably his least impactful game by
a lot, and you know, is it just can't just
be him though, It's got to be a lot of
other guys. And if they're not going to able to
get home with the four, they're going to have to
start blitzing more it center pressure. So to me, I
think turning up the pressure is the way to help
(04:14):
the guys in the back end right now, because clearly
you can't expect them, you know, just to hold it
down back there, because they've shown at this point the
season that there's some vulnerabilities.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
And Deek you we even mentioned that he wishes that
there could have been some more some more stunts, a
little bit more simulated pressure to get that going, and
I would definitely agree with that. I think I think
there was especially against an offensive line that was performing
as one of the one of the better groups in
the league. Hasn't really allowed a lot of sacks on
Michael Pennik's at all so far this year. But James
(04:43):
will switch over to you in the same question, like
what do you think the remedy is here? Is it
something as simple as in the shifting and the person
nail in the back end or is it just as
Scott said, getting more of out of the path rush.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
I think Scott hit the nail on the head here
and there are a few things to it. Now when
you look at the Falcons offensive line. You don't know
necessarily think of Atlanta having this release stout offensive front,
but they do. I mean, they're one of the better,
if not one of the best groups in the League's
certainly a top ten group. And if you look at
the week before against Carolina, Michael Pennick struggled.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Why because the Panthers got pressure on him.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
And certainly, when you have the weapons that he has
at his disposal and some of the best individual weapons
in the league, if you give him the time that
they gave him on Sunday, then he's going to make
you pay.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
That's what happened.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
I think there could be some adjustments in the scheme
that do need to be made. I'll leave that up
to the experts. But certainly when you see like John
Robinson out in the flat against Bobby Wagner. Now Bobby
was late there, but even at Bobby's peak, like that's
just a mismatch, right, So something needs to be done
where you don't have a linebacker, a middle linebacker on
one of the most dynamic players in the league. I
think the Commanders missed a guy like Will Harris as well.
(05:46):
I think his presence, you know, on the sidelines as
opposed to in the game has really hurt this team.
I don't think we realized how much of an effect
he was going to have on this defense in a
positive way. And frankly, communication is going to be right
there near the top. These guys are just not necessarily
in the right spots during those explosive plays because they're
either getting beat men up or they're just not where
they should be. And when you have new players in
(06:08):
it's exciting. It makes you better as a team, there's
no question about that. But it also takes time for
you to learn each other's habits and to communicate and
sometimes over communicate. You know, we were talking about that
on the pod this week. If you have to over
communicate and call out a few different players or possibilities
just to make sure everyone is on the same page,
you do it. And maybe that's something that emphasize this week.
I think it's multifaceted, but like Scott says, it starts.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Up front again.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
I had one thing too. You know you're talking about personnel.
I mean there's not a lot of options, right, I mean,
you got people out. Jonathan Jones is out, obviously, Mit
Jenks just mentioned Will Harrison injury is a big deal.
So I mean, you know, we get a lot of
this in the post game taking calls and it's like, well,
bench this guy, bench that kind of like, well who.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
You putting in?
Speaker 2 (06:48):
I mean, you're option right now, You're not. And this
isn't the time of year to go out and find
those people. So you got to kind of dance with
who you brought at this point and to you know,
to all of our points, it's pass rush and it's
obviously going to be better communication. And they got to
hurry that up because you know, every week it continues
to get harder with some of these quarterbacks are going
to face.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
So I also want to bring up the idea of
how motion has really affected this defense, because it looks
like it's done quite a bit, right I think I
think I saw from esp and John Kaye this morning
that they were allowing like five hundred and fifteen yards
whenever a team uses motion. So I'm curious Scott for you,
like what do you like, what what do you think
is cosnal confusion for them when they whenever teams use motion?
(07:30):
And and again like is it just a matter of
like keep making sure linebackers don't don't get on players
like Robinson or anything like that. I mean, what do
you think that is the cause of that? How do
you how do you remedy that?
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Well? I mean, I'm obviously not a defensive coordinator. I
was thinking again to go back to what we're talking
about communication and guys having or know what to do
with it. I'm sure they go over this in practice.
I mean, this idea that they didn't think that this
was a problem. This is kind of funny after especially
after the Green Bay game. Clearly they know it. They've
you know, they've talked about it, they filmed that, they
filmed study it. So again, you just you know, in
real time, these guys have to remember the keys and
(08:04):
what they're supposed to do there and execute. I mean,
that's really what it boils down to, because again we
saw it in week two, Yes, Atlanta, you know, or
excuse me, with Green Bay they exploited and Atlanta did
some of the same stuff with Zach Robinson's offense this week,
and you know, maybe the Chargers will do the same
as well. Lab McConkey is going to be an interesting
match up here in this game. But yeah, I mean,
I just think again, it's it's guys have to take
(08:26):
what they've been been taught and bring it to the field.
If it's something that they don't think is working, you know,
maybe this is again we were talking about this in
the post game was smooth.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
You know.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Sometimes this is where the DB's they got to speak up,
you know, and the linebackers say, hey, coach, we think
this might you know, what are we what about this?
And you know, have a back and forth. And I
think Joe Wits the type of guy and the staffs
the type of people that would be willing to listen
to that or they think it was going to.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Help the team. Yeah, no, I agree. And what has
talked about this quite a bit of the last couple
of years that whenever something is wrong with the defense,
he points the finger at himselves as okay, so the
cluison little what's wrong with the way I'm teaching it?
And then we need to fix up whatever that is
and how they're able to communicate it. And one last
thing on the pass rush jinks. I mean we've mentioned Dorants,
Armstrong and all that stuff, but like we also also
(09:08):
know Ditrich wise out for the year. Devonte Jean Baptiste
gonna be out for at least a while with that
torn peck. As you said on Monday, I mean, what
what is the what do you who you think needs
to step up with in that regard to get more
pressure out of out of that group, because having two
of your two of your defensive ends out this Roland
season is really tough.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
Yeah, it is, and I think you know you have
to Unfortunately, you have to put even more of the
load on Dorant's armstrong and what he said, which has
been phenomenal, right, Like he's been one of the better stories,
not just for this team but in the entire NFL.
I don't think you can necessarily rely on a guy
like von Miller, Like he'll pop up in spots right
in big moments, but you know, he's sort of passed
the point where maybe he's going to be a consistent
rusher off the edge. I think, unfortunately you kind of
(09:51):
have to rely on the guys and maybe you have
to mix and match up front with you know, whether
it's stunts, whether it's showing different looks and trying to
confuse the quarterback or trying to forse the offense into
a different play. But you know, what has been a
real strength or what was the strength going into the
season has now become not necessarily weakness. But there's not
the depth there that we expected to be there. So
I think that comes down to again, you have to
(10:12):
scheme certain plays on defense to try to confuse the
offense and you know, generate more rush that maybe you
can't get naturally.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
Yeah, and I don't think anybody you know, obviously, injuries,
as they're saying, goes one hundred percent in the league
for injuries on players in the NFL. But it's hard
when you have this much at this point in the year,
and you're gonna have to get creative at some point
to mitigate those those losses. And I'm very curious to
see what they do for the rest of the year.
I'll give you, guys, both points for that round. Both
(10:39):
points are really good made on the dems of one.
On the thank you, You're welcome. You know no what
says thank you, so I appreciate it, thank you, I'm glad,
I'm glad we can we can have that sort of
a back and forth there. Okay, on to the next
question here, and we'll till we talk about injuries and
we have guys like care floren No Brown who their
(11:01):
injuries are. We heard the training in the right direction,
but we don't know exactly where they're at right now.
It seems like they're gonna be back at some point.
But until then, we've guys like God, guys like Luke McCaffrey,
got guys like Chris Moore having a step up. I mean,
I guess like it's well, you obviously you want your
best players out there and everything, but you're gonna have
to find ways for those guys to step up. And
(11:21):
Janks will start with you here. I mean, how do
they how do they get more production out of this
out of the limited.
Speaker 4 (11:26):
Options they have ever sin, I think two things and
number one is and it's a good thing that we
saw last week, right Like it pretends well for the future,
which is the development of Luke McCaffrey being on special teams,
you know, getting that touchdown and so we've seen him
over the past couple of games and really on special teams,
but now you know, maybe starting to show what he
can do at receiver. If he steps up, that's gonna
be huge for this team and they need him. You know.
(11:47):
If I'm Cliff Kingsbury. If I'm d Q, you know,
I sit with Luke and I'm like, listen, it's your time.
You're gonna get plenty of time. We need you here.
It's next man up, and it's your time. So he
needs to be the productive guy that they draft when
he was coming out of Rise in It. And then secondly,
I think this is where Cliff has to really get
in his bag, right, Like he has to do things
and be really creative, and you don't want to overdo
(12:07):
it and get gimmicky. But it's like we saw in
that two point conversion, right, we saw that beautifully designed
play where Marcus Molighty looked like he was going to
run off maybe a read option and then he tosses
it to Zach Ertz for the two point conversion.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Beautiful play.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Now, certainly that's when everything works out perfectly, but if
your Cliff and you have limited options, that's when you
have to find ways to get guys open, and maybe
you use that running back by committee and use some
of those guys out of the backfield, because certainly, you
know Bill is a guy who can catch passes.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
We've seen other guys in the backfield do that. As well.
But it really is about this is.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
When if you're an offensive coordinator, you have to make
your money now.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Yeah, for for sure. And I do think that you've
seen a lot of really interesting plays out of Cliff,
whether it's you know, starting the game off with the
Jets for deep to Deebo Sandle against the Falcons, are
getting even just Deebo in general more involved. Scott over
you to the same question here, and like I say, like,
how do how do you kind of take some of
the pressure off of these guys? And it is, as
(13:02):
jin said, just kind of maybe like adding a little
bit more of the run game to get more creative.
Like what do you think about that?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Yeah, I think they need to lean into running the
ball more. And you know, Jenkins hit it a little
bit there too, and I agree with that, and even
using these guys in the passing game, but like krossky Merritt,
you know, seven carries and you know, I know they
tell you, well, if he's out there, it's an obvious
teller running the ball because he's not great in pass
pro and he's not the receiver and all this stuff.
And he did get blown up on one pass pro,
(13:28):
but all I know is he doesn't take negative runs, right.
I mean, he is great visiting, he gets that little
hop thing he does, he doesn't take negative runs. I
just think they need to be stubborn sometimes. I kind
of hear it in dan Quinn's voice after these games
that I think he feels like they need to really
lean into the run a little bit more. You know.
I had pretty good balance, you know, and a lot
of that is late. You know, you got to throw
(13:48):
because you're behind and all that stuff. But I just
thought early when they were when they were getting themselves
in trouble, they were being too cute with the passing game.
I wanted to see Mario to keep it more. I
mean he didn't really do that. He had the one
scram but there was really no keepers. And maybe that's
a credit to Atlanta. Maybe they maybe they set the
edge really well and took it away unlike the Raiders.
I don't know. But you know, whoever the quarterback is
(14:08):
this week, you have to make this defense of the
Chargers defend eleven. They're not a good rush defense. I
think they're middle of the pack in the league. You
can run on them, and I think the Commanders need
to lean into that because that will that will change everything.
You got to bring it extra, go on the box.
Then you'll get the shots downfield to Jalen Lane. You
won't have a safety helping over the top like you did.
Although I think if there's good ball placement there, maybe
Lane gets six or at least as a shot and
(14:30):
getting the ball and anyway, look, I think they've gotten
a ton out of debut. I think they've used debot
very well. I'm encouraged by McCaffrey the last couple of weekends.
You know, Lane will come along. He's a talented kid.
I'm not worried about him. And then obviously when you
get seventeen back, everybody looks better. But I mean, whoever
the quarterback is. I really think they got to get
back to really the RPOs and leaning into that and
(14:52):
the quarterback being a live runner and and then I
know will scare people of Jayden's back because he's coming
off an injury, but if he can't do that, then
he shouldn't play right and then you should keep Mariot
on the field if you're worried about injury at that point.
So I just think they need to get back to
doing that. This at the heart of this team, even
though he's, you know, Cliff Kingsbury, the air raid offense,
it's been the ground and pound team, let's be honest.
(15:13):
I mean they've they've been a great running team, but
they're number two in the NFL and rushing lean into
that more. I mean, that's what they've got to do,
and that's what they're built to do in terms of
the offensive line right now as well.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Yeah, and to that point, they are second in the
league and average directing arts per game. I think they're
first in the league in yards per tentph. They're seventeenth
in total attempts right now, which is right. Yeah, to
the point that they you would want to see them more.
And I mentioned this even in like in a mailbag
question I answered earlier today, and it's it's always kind
(15:44):
of cyclical, right like whether you want to get how
you want to get the run game going, because you
see some of some of the things they do to
kind of stay on the field. But right now, I
think they're twenty third in average plays per game, and
they were I think they were like thirteenth at this
point last year. And a lot of it comes because
they're they're running into like these so inflicted errors like
whether it's a false start from Vicker if they turned
(16:06):
the third and two into a third and seven, or
the intentional grounding call for Marioto. With these smaller things
seem to kind of disrupt the flow a little bit
and it seems like it's a little bit more disjointed.
And maybe maybe leaning into the ring game is going
to be able to help that because it's a lot simpler.
But Jenks, what do you think about that? Is like,
you know, how do you fix these self inflicted errors
and help the flow because in order to get the
(16:28):
ring and going, they do need to stay on the
field more often, right.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
Yeah, they do.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
And I don't know if it means maybe a change
to the offensive line, which they've already tinkered a little
bit obviously with Chris Paul and bringing him in on
the weft side and then trying to help out Josh
Connolly Junior and sitting Brandon Coleman.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
Maybe you bring back Brandon Coleman.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
I know he's been a healthy scratch, but certainly he
has the talent that's why they drafted him.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Maybe that helps, And.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
Also I think too, the only thing that worris me
about that is that you know, when you're constantly, you know,
substituting guys.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Offensive line p is is definitely about cohesion.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
Right, these guys knowing one another, knowing how to play
off one another, communicating, which has been an issue in the.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Secondary as well.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
But maybe they can find something there because it certainly
worked against the Raiders. I just think that you want
to build that chemistry and you want to put in
your best guys, but you want to you don't want
to do it too much where it sort of disrupts
the flow that you have going because sometimes you can
have these panic reactions where if you'll just give it
a game or two. And I think Deq you talked
about that once you have a better sample size, then
(17:25):
you know who's working and who's not.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
But I think potentially that's something that could look at.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Yeah, I think so for sure. And you know, Scott
will move on. We'll move on to you real quick
before we go on to the last question here. And
I think you mentioned Jalen Lane and because we haven't
really taught of any of the other Debt players, the receiver,
I'm just curious, like what you've thought of him. So far,
and like well, because I know they say a perfect role,
he would be more of a slot receiver, but what
what what do you think about his possible usage more
and do you think that's going to be helped alleviate
(17:51):
some of these other guys like Luke and Chris and
some of the players that maybe aren't experienced, but we
would have to play more.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
Well, Like he's explosive. I saw a lot of them
in college. I know that, and and certainly we saw
it with his punt return a few weeks ago against
the h Raiders. Love the way returns punts. I mean,
he's always going forward. I mean, be Mitch has talked
about this so much over the years about you know,
getting north, you know, getting north on the returns, and
you know, guys that are East West Runners end up
getting themselves in trouble. But he's very decisive, he sees
it quickly. In terms of receiver. I mean, it's been
(18:19):
a mixed bag so far. Obviously he dropped the touchdown
against the Raiders, probably should have had that. You know,
he hasn't really got as many touches or any any targets.
But I think over time, you know, he'll be fine,
you know, and certainly probably a little challenging for a
rookie when you know, you repped a lot with with
Jaden this offseason and then obviously, you know, two games in,
he's out, and then it's Mariota, who maybe you haven't
repped as much with, and then so it's kind of
(18:40):
a you know, you're going back and forth a little bit,
but you know, it's the life of a rookie in
the NFL. But I do think he has a a
you know, break and open type of skill set, you know,
similar to Diami Brown, maybe a little bit like Oz
that with which they're lacking this year. But but I
think he has got a better overall package coming into
the league than those guys had, So that that's what
excites me about him, and I think he's gonna be fine.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
The coaches that I think is definitely intrigued by him,
and even I mean, you've got guys like Terry who
spoke like at the end of training camp he thinks
he said, look, well he can really help us, not
to the inside but on the outside as well, because
I think he got the talent to do it. It's
just a matter of getting the reps we'll move on
to the last question here. I'll give both of you
guys a point again even matchup heading into the final round.
(19:23):
So thank you this time. Okay, that's fine.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Thank you so much, Zach. We really appreciated Jack.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Let's not lay out on too thick, all right, I
get it. But you know, when I look at this
question here, at this flash quarter, I think I was like,
you know, maybe this is a little too black and white,
maybe too simplified, But I do think with all these
things going on with the Chargers, I think there it
is worth asking here, just keep it simple here, what
do you think is the biggest key for them to
(19:52):
get back on track and stop stop this roller coaster
they've been on for the last four weeks about you know, Okay,
they're playing well, then they've got the mirrors, they're playing well,
then they've got you know, these other issues again, So
how do they kind of get back on smooth sailing? Here?
And Scott will start with you, Well.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
It'd be great if you got off to a fast start, right.
I don't think outside of the first you know, the
first game in some degree in the Raiders game too,
you know, even though early on the Raiders. You know,
we're hanging around. It's playing from with a lead. I mean,
that was the script that was so good for them
in a lot of games last year, was dictating kind
of the terms of the fight. You know, they're going
(20:28):
to be better. The defense could be better. When you're ahead,
you need to build tee off. You know, the Chargers
are probably gonna pass it a lot anyway with Herbert,
even though they've got major protection issues, you know, with
all these injuries they're dealing with. Although all Marion Amton,
that rookie looks really good for them. But I'd say, look,
get off to a fast start. And it's easier said
than done, clearly. But but you know, three and out
like this week, you know, Atlanta takes the ball, they
(20:49):
have to settle for field goal, but then the Commanders
go three and out. Then the Falcons catching with a
touchdown that fount. Know the Cammanders had a night second
drive obviously to get it in the end zone. But
you know, I'd just like to see this team get
off the fast start, especially on the road. You know,
it's a California crownd. It ain't gonna be great anyway,
Probably gonna be a lot of burginny of gold out there,
get them fired up, kind of like the Atlanta. You
saw that Atlanta too, So I just think fast start
(21:10):
is key on both sides of the ball this week.
And if they could do that and kind of play
with the lead and you know, kind of get the
Chargers a little uncomfortable, I think that would make life
blood easier for not only the defense, but also for
the offense as well.
Speaker 1 (21:25):
In the last four games they have started a game
with a punt. That's just not not indicative of what
this team was last year. And obviously things they'll translate
always year to year, but it is a start difference
from from what a fast paced, go down the field
unit that we saw last year. So Jenks same question
going over you, what's one thing they need to do
(21:46):
to get back on track against the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
They have to pressure Justin Herbert. They just absolutely have to.
And that's how the Giants went last week, right.
Speaker 4 (21:56):
I know it's easy to focus on this top down analysis,
which I do time, which is are like, hey, Jackson
Dart looked really good. But now you know, even without
Malik Neighbors had the Giants win that game, it's because
their defense kept putting the Giants offense on short fields
because the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
Just could not move the ball.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
And there's that one play where or not just a
field sorry Justin Herbert, and Justin Herbert drops back, he
tries to pull the ball sexy dex. He gives up,
you know, knocks it away, then catches it, brings it back.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Like they just couldn't get any.
Speaker 4 (22:25):
Sort of thing going on the offensive side because the
Giants just kept bringing the pressure. And we saw the
Commanders do that against the Raiders right like they were
constantly swallowing up Geno Smith. They were constantly swallowing up
Ash and Genty And the Chargers are a much better squad.
But now if you look at that offense on the
offensive line, they're really hurting Sean Slater as we know.
I mean, he was out at the beginning of the season.
(22:46):
Now it looks like Joe Alt is going to be
out for maybe the remainder of Bee if not for
a significant part.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
So they are weak on the offensive line.
Speaker 4 (22:54):
And the one reason why that Justin Herbert has really
elevated his game this season is that the.
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Chargers are now more balanced offense. They don't throw as much.
Speaker 4 (23:01):
And because they have a running game, then all of
a sudden you can't really focus on Justin Herbert.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
And when he does pass, he has time and he
can make you pay. And he's been so good this
season at doing that.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
But if you can pressure him and make him uncomfortable
like the Giants did, you can give the Commanders short
fields on offense and prevent the charters from creating those
explosive plays that really haunted this Commander's team, you know,
over the first four weeks.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
So I think that's a key.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
So as an aside, sexy dexy and even as the
cross divisional opponent is unreal great is a great nick.
You really can't beat it. Both points good bye bye
you guys. Light the fast start stuff because as an
offsive guy obviously loves score points, love to see them
fast starts. Justin Herbert, one of the better quarterbacks in
(23:46):
the league. Got to get him off his spot. Man,
I think I gotta go with Jenks here on the
point and the win because you got two offensive starters
out on the off of the one. You have to
take adventite that, especially after getting Michael Pennixtenior down only
one time for nine yards. And I don't know if
you'll heard about this guy in Quinton Johnston, but oh
(24:07):
my god, he's been lighting the league on fire so
for three and thirty seven yards, and he's he's a problem.
And I think if we're talking about leaving some of
the pressure and limiting exupposed to plays, getting pressure on
Justin Herbert and stopping that at the point of attack
is exactly to do it. So jinks, you're taking the
win here. How do you feel about it?
Speaker 4 (24:27):
Ah?
Speaker 3 (24:27):
Man, it's just I gotta think so many. I want
to thank you guys.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
I mean, it's been it's been amazing Zach the host
and Scott. I mean, my god, the incredible work he's
done in the post game show. I got to thank
my friends and my family here, all the people out
of Watchington Commanders for their support.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
It's been. It's been a great run here on the pod.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
You know.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (24:44):
I just want to say, I'm not gonna thank you anymore, Zach,
because it didn't do any good. So I'm just gonna
keep that out of the yesh.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Well, we don't give out brownie points here points of
brown but you held your own either way. You know,
things I was almost if you admit just me, I
was gonna pull out the Oscar music. But we're we're
okay here, We're fine. But guys, thank you so much
for coming on, and hopefully we'll be discussing a win
for the Commanders, getting a three and two back into
(25:13):
above five hundred and guys listening, be sure to rate
your view, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and this
has been the beat
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