7 Down and 10 Up

Who are the real Washington Commanders in 2022?

Whisper it quietly, but the burgundy and gold are starting to demonstrate hope-inducing improvements, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

Would you have ever thought that the Commanders would be a top tier third down team on DEF? What has been an Achilles Heel for the franchise for season after season, is now a legitimate strength.

Here at UKHTTR we take a three and out on the Commanders chances to make a play off push over the last ten games of the regular season.

Genuine improvements or weak opponents?

Green Bay were beat up on both the OL and receiving core and it showed with a frustrated Aaron Rodgers on Sunday with the 23-21 victory for the burgundy and gold. I have a long-held belief that Washington on DEF always have the playground bully ability to dominate an opponent who is understrength.

But are we witnessing genuine big jumps for a number of guys on the roster? Jamin Davis was taken at #19 in the 2021 draft and, in a difficult position to translate from College to the NFL, is starting to showcase his natural speed and ability to get to the RB and ensure opponents are not getting no easy yards.

Montez Sweat suddenly looks huge on the Edge; has the DL coach change from Sam Mills to Jeff Zgonina resulted in a major change of philosophy in D.C?

The return of Kam Curl in the backfield has been beneficial, plus the decision to elevate Benjamin St Juste to outside CB ahead of William Jackson III (who I feel would be benched with our without injury).

The Heinicke Factor

Underdog mentality gone into hyperdrive.

Will it eventually catch up with the popular Old Dominion Monarchs football star? He was really bad first half vs Green Bay and then really good second half. Which one is the real Taylor Heinicke? Will he always be a perennial backup guy to provide an injection but without the long-term arm strength to challenge an NFL Defense?

What is real is that the locker room at FedEx LOVE this guy. It is a genuine loved team mate vibe for #4 from the roster and this is a guy who had taken down Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and the GOAT Tom Brady! Maybe a bit of respect on his name is due.

Who is coming back into the frame?

Chase Young was expected to be just about the surest fire hit as a rusher/edge guy in the 2020 Draft and was the DROY in season one. Both the Commanders and Chase had a real back to Earth season 2021 with a devastating ACL injury for the Ohio State #2 pick of 2020. How will perform when he returns, and will he still have the burst that made him an expected stud in the NFL?

In terms of a QB safety blanket, the Commanders have not seen the best of Logan Thomas this season. Will his imminent return be a fully fit Thomas who seemed ready to push forward as a top 8 receiving TE in the NFL?

There are many questions to be answered, but it does seem that Washington cannot yet be ruled out of going on winning run – the offensive side of the ball looks better too, with a triple threat out the backfield of Antonio Gibson, Brian Robinson, and the underused J.D McKissic.

Let’s get to .500 on the road in Indianapolis and welcome Sam Ehlinger to the National Football League.