Washington Commanders' defense is still bad on third down | Film Room

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Last year I created a video explaining what went wrong with the Washington Commanders' defense in 2021 and why they were performing so much worse than the previous year. Unfortunately, not a lot has changed. I still see the same individual player mistakes; I see a lot of basic coverage busts; and I also see a lack of finishing from the defensive line. These issues are extremely apparent on third downs. These mistakes allowed Patrick Mahomes to drive down the field on two consecutive drives and score touchdowns in the Washington Commanders latest preseason game.
In this video breakdown, I wanted to look at the Chiefs' five third down conversions on their first two drives and talk generally about what I saw while reviewing the film.
What happened to Washington Football Team's defense? Video: • What happened to Washi...
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Tags: washington commanders defense,commanders film room defense,commanders third down,patrick mahomes washington commanders,washington film breakdown third down,commanders wentz chiefs preseason,commanders preseason chiefs,sams film room,samuel gold,commanders film breakdown third,commanders film breakdown,commander chase young film,commanders daron payne film,commanders jonathan allen film,patrick mahomes film room,patrick mahomes film preseason,mahomes vs commander

[@SamuelGoldNFL]

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[@karrot871]

I honestly believe that this stems directly from the DC’s unwillingness to change or adjust. I could not understand why they play 5-7 yards off coverage on 3rd and short, then blitz one of the most successful qbs against pressure on 3rd and long. Infuriating

[@SamuelGoldNFL]

Horrible. Agreed with you 1000%

[@Sky_Blaze]

Every defense coordinator we hire does this crap it's been the same shit for over a decade..and they probably play off so much cause the secondary always gets burned no matter what. God this franchise is garbage

[@tedskins]

Part of it is they don't trust the DBs to be able to blitz effectively. Our safeties aren't good enough to cover in case a blitz fails which means we have to rely on pressure entirely coming from the D-Line which is unsustainable no matter how talented the players are. Plus Sweat and Young are highly overrated, and Payne is mainly just good against the run. Allen is elite that's it

[@antjack6192]

@@Sky_Blaze yup it’s not just del rio goes back to even zorn and then shanny days. 3rd down defense, poor coaching, qb conundrum, and Danny still being the owner is why this will never be a great franchise

[@raymondsmith2040]

@@antjack6192 Couldn't of said it better myself

[@Victorious19244]

I believe it is a philosophical defensive perspective. Washington is clearly a wait and react defense as opposed to a gambling defense on 1st and 2nd down. We wait to blitz on 3rd down as opposed to be proactive on the first 2 downs putting the other team into the hole. Baltimore runs an attacking style of defense which forces their opponents into 2nd/3rd and long and they capitalize off that. We don’t have the talent to run the current scheme that we are running. I think when things got better it was because of playing Landon Collins at the hybrid lb position where he was able to blitz, had the speed to cover 5-10 yds and get into the backfield to stuff the run at times not to mention his play recognition. So my opinion is either we resign him, change how we approach the game scheme wise or play mediocre style defense and hope for supreme performance from Chase Young and company.

[@rolmodel12.]

Washington is slowly building talent on that roster, and I think they have the right head coach... but, I agree with you, the playcalling (particularly on defense) is a little bewildering and could be a problem if they don't adjust in game. Like many teams, y'all need more talent at OL and DB. And more depth on the defense, as a whole. With some good luck, that is to say, good health; the skill positions on offense has as much depth/talent as they have in years. Several good, young RB's and McLaurin is the most talented wideout Wentz has ever had (he had some good one's in Philly, but they were in the back years of their careers). But, if the defense can't get of the field, all they will have to show for it is great numbers. And great numbers don't translate into wins. Great video, Sam! Can't wait for the season to start! See ya soon.

[@SamuelGoldNFL]

Appreciate it! And i agree with all your points.

[@CM-jc7gk]

At least half the DCs in the NFL would kill for Washington's D-line, I know the lack of a real ILB is a glaring problem, but getting these kinds of results with this DL is enough cause for Del Rio to get axed so he can go back to his Twitter. Mind boggling that Rivera kept Del Rio & at this point it could be a big part of Rivera's downfall.

[@SamuelGoldNFL]

Speaking my mind, mate.

[@CM-jc7gk]

@@SamuelGoldNFL Feels like a lot of people are primed to blame Wentz, the secondary, Jamin Davis, & somehow Chase Young when this team inevitably only wins 6 or 7 games this season, when the real culprits are going to be Del Rio & Scott Turner. To be clear, Wentz at this point is like a better Kirk Cousins, so he shouldn't be expected to lift the team that much, & on paper this is still a worse roster than the Cowboys & arguably the Eagles, but both Del Rio & Turner are failing to coordinate their units in ways that actually put talent in positions to succeed or maximize lesser talent with creative scheming & playcalling. To win, this team needs some elevation in its coaching & that's very obviously not happening.

[@raymondsmith2040]

@@CM-jc7gk Wentz at best is as good as Kirk Cousins. Different play styles but same rating imo. I agree 100% with your second take though. The problem is like you said. No coordinator (or GM) worth their salt is gonna come work for Danny boy Snyder.

[@Joe-3sixty]

Friends how many of us have a friend who'll sacrifice for them, that's noble... Stupid but noble which should be committed to the organization and players 1st.

[@lazershow143]

Nice breakdown

[@kaymanfani7154]

It feels like this has been this way for the past 13 years

[@VoxMachina8]

Great breakdown!

[@SillyGoose2024]

They were terrible on 3rd down a year ago (31st) and they made zero personnel upgrades. Hassan Reddick? Nope. James Bradbury? Nope. Nothing. Problem starts at the top, then the coaching, then the players. They think they're better than they are.

[@mrmrsplummer3526]

This is completely accurate. A lot of it is eye discipline and just doing your job. That's why a personnel upgrade is needed at LB and FS. It still blows my mind how this FO thinks we're ok at those 2 positions. Also JDR scheme puts average players at a disadvantage to win one on one too often.

[@Sh0ts-xgod]

Great video Sam! Will you create/post Fantasy Rankings this year?

[@SamuelGoldNFL]

I'm debating it. Might do one consolidated video with all my rankings!

[@markdavid3316]

On that touchdown that Curl gave up, the defensive line could be to blame also. First and worst, Jonathan Allen completely gave up on the play. His effort on that play was non existent. Also the defensive end to Alllens right either got forced out of his rush lane, or he took a horrible angle to the quarterback. either way those 2 factors contributed to mahomes having plenty of time and allowed him to go right under his left tackle and scramble out to his right to throw that dot. This defensive line HAS TO rush with more dicipline.

[@postitrandomly3638]

Kam Curl looks like a 7th rounder

[@jplovecchio6346]

Great video something basic is not being taught

[@josephbrutico2430]

Are you a Washington fan? Love your content btw, was looking for this exact type of video after the game.

[@SamuelGoldNFL]

I am! Grew up in NOVA... however, these last few seasons have been horrible. :(

[@josephbrutico2430]

@@SamuelGoldNFL Ikr, but future is bright if Wentz pans out. They need to sure up that secondary in next years draft... Then they'll be solid really every where. Offense could be fire if it comes together, d-line is good on paper. They seem to be heading in the right direction even if this year is another wash.

[@appletuntrainer]

Fortson is a monster too. Also the chiefs have had a great conversion rate on 3rd down as well the past few years.

[@SamuelGoldNFL]

Yeah, the Chiefs are usually very proficient and they did a fantastic job of taking advantage of Washington's mistakes.

[@jayman81424]

Way too much talent in that front 7 for them to be that bad.

[@SamuelGoldNFL]

Yeup. Just awful

[@commandersofficialsportsta2438]

When a group sucks you don’t bring everybody back and keep everything the same. That’s a sign of insanity

[@malrulesall9669]

😂😂😂

[@Joe-3sixty]

Everyone is talking about their 3rd down inability, they are so soft on first down with corners 8 to 10 yards off the ball on every down. Bend don't break hasn't worked and won't. But stay hopeful that the same sorry scheme will produce change.

[@malrulesall9669]

That's true👌💯

[@terry7907]

I think you are being a little too harsh. I am no fan of the team. But on at least two of the third down conversions, the line was getting pressure and forced Mahomes out of the pocket. The problem is, he is the best in the NFL out of the pocket. Additionally, it is preseason. I do not fault any team for playing vanilla coverages at this time. Lastly, absent an analysis of who was on the defense, and what they are capable of doing, I think it is superficial to criticise them in this manner. They may well be terrible, but this video did not make that case.

[@Tomocohanx]

It’s preseason . From all reports from camp throughout the summer , they have been playing man and mixing and match. I doubt this is what’s seen Week 1

[@scotthirsch3479]

Do you think the firing of the DL coach is related to this in any way?

[@SamuelGoldNFL]

I honestly don't know. Great question though and maybe Ron saw some issues with them and their inability to finish?

[@Sky_Blaze]

No it has to do with the two coaches that are still their Rivera and Del Rio they're both AWFUL I CANT BELIEVE They're STILL WHERE They're THE CONSTANT IN THIS EQUATION

[@thebulltoo2875]

Question, if you can break down what they are doing wrong then why can’t the coaching staff? I find myself watching this team to see how bad they are going to lose week to week.

[@Joe-3sixty]

If the defensive lineman are getting off blocks and being disruptive, that'll bode well for the entire defense.

[@55TheInTIMidator55]

“So anyways” on a t-shirt

[@ervinbailey3088]

Linebackers got to get their self together

[@kj232009]

Trevor Lawrence will look like Peyton Manning if things dont get fixed. Jacksonville defense is very fast too. They blitz alot so Washington can go into that game bullshittin if they want. Will be embarrassed at home

[@zimbasexy1]

It's just preseason man, this is when you want them to show these issues so they get ironed out. We went into last season thinking things were good and then regular season began and our defense went to shit. So yes I'm actually excited they're making these mistakes right now so that come regular season they're ready to go.

[@SamuelGoldNFL]

I think that argument assumes they'll get ironed out when statistically that hasn't been the case for over a year now.

[@Sky_Blaze]

@@SamuelGoldNFL no just over a year over a decade now matter who coaches..same old same old this franchise is a joke.

[@ervinbailey3088]

Defense get a step yard game up linebackers and cornerback Devon Payne in the A" gap getting my man

[@Monsterdesdinges]

holy shit this sounds 1 to 1 like the complaints Panthers fans had for the entirety of Rivera's tenure

[@kellydude]

This defense makes me throw up in my mouth!!! They read and react instead of attacking and bump receivers off there routes!!!

[@davidherzing1496]

JDR keeps taking the blame for a defense that looks more like a RR D to me

[@kj232009]

Vic Fangio thats all I'm going say.

[@MNZGamin]

Doesn’t help that NFL referees call DPI on perfect coverage

[@DocMc-zz9ms]

For the real Washington fans you know if 3rd and long were definitely giving it up…

[@hennrock6184]

Trade for Roquan

[@cataclyst223]

It's preseason they are practicing plays, not trying to win lol

[@raymondsmith2040]

You must be new here. Just wait till the regular season and their making the same mistakes. Trust me.

[@johnnybrison4150]

@@raymondsmith2040 what happened lol 1-0 😂

[@Sky_Blaze]

Ron Rivera and staff need to go! It's the same crap. Bad on 3rd down, secondary gets burned, no push on the offensive or defensive line, and the baby step bs playvalling on offense..why are these coaches here?! They are awful and can't get the best out of the talent we have on this roster. Same shit with every coaching staff we hire! We COULD'VE HAD Sean McVay coaching us 5 years ago but we said "Nah we'll stick with Gruden." I hate you Dan Snyder so much.

[@raymondsmith2040]

Well I think the last thing you mentioned is why they're still here. Nobody worthwhile is gonna come work for Danny "the dweeb" Snyder. I wouldn't be surprised if Rivera a company lowkey know that which is why they don't change cuz they know they're not going anywhere.

[@halfsleep3554]

First!!!🤪🤪

[@legionwatchessports4029]

Maybe the team needs a DC who spends less time on QAnon forums and more time on game film.