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After a truly lights out Monday Night Football performance from rookie QB Jayden Daniels on the road vs Cincinnati, the Commanders now head to the desert and a Week 4 match up vs the Cardinals.
So many questions were answered on MNF in the 38-33 victory at the Paycor Stadium.
Did McLaurin demonstrate he is an elite receiver in the NFL: Yes
Can Daniels connect with Terry on the deep ball: Yes
Could the rookie handle the pressure of a nationally televised game: Yes
Does Tress Way have the most rested punting leg in football: Yes
It was a simply outstanding job on offense by OC Kliff Kingsbury, Jaydan and the improving OL unit. There is now legitimate hope that Washington are ahead of schedule and can be an NFC East contender in the 2024 season.
Now, it was not all fun & games. The Bengals put up 33 and the Commanders Defense seemingly cannot provide a tangible pass rush and the backfield, whilst containing some pieces for the future, is far from NFL-perfect.
I have seen some calls this week to trade DTs Jon Allen and/or Daron Payne.
Personally I would ease back on that just for now, as much as anything there does not need to be undue pressure on rookie DT Jonny Newton to suit up as a starter season one.
There was also an injury blow. Free agent acquisition, RB Austin Ekeler, has made a first-class start to his Commanders career and is ruled out with a concussion and will not travel to Arizona.
If Robinson Jnr is the RB1 workhorse back, Ekeler is a real miss with his explosiveness and represents a big blow in Washington getting a second W in a row on the road.
Turning to Sunday, here at UKHTTC, founder, Christian Burt, took time out with a new UK-based Cardinals YouTuber UKBirdGang. Check him out and give a follow on the X platform.
UKHTTC: Last season, the Cardinals had a major problem stopping the run and allowed on average 143 yards in 2023, the most in the entire NFL. This season there seems to be some obvious improvement.
UKBG: Improvement yes, but the defence not consistent enough to feel confidence in it.
Week 1 vs the Bills, they couldn’t stop a thing, week 2 vs the Rams, they stopped everything bar one TD which was essentially down to defensive penalties. Week 3 vs the Lions 1st half – let everything through, 2nd half a shutout. Very hard to predict right now!
Marvin Harrison Jnr looks an absolute superstar in the making. What are your early impressions of the talented WR?
Very impressed with MHJ so far, he’s raw and the talent is obvious, he needs to refine his game and that will come with experience.
What was your impression of Arizona in FA and the Draft?
Cardinals GM, Monti Ossenfort, did an overall good job in the off-season to bring in what Arizona needed and remove what was unwanted.
Re-signing WR Greg Dortch for another year was a solid decision, the aforementioned Harrison Jnr and Trey Benson, who is our back up running back, all good moves. Unfortunately, Monit has left the defence a bit lacking.
Any unsung heroes on the Arizona roster that fly under the radar?
Dennis Gardeck.
It is maybe odd that I say our defence is lacking but then pick a linebacker as the unsung hero. Our offence has looked good bar the 2nd half vs the Lions where we scored a single field goal.
Our defence I’m not so sure about, but even in that, Gardeck had managed three sacks and a forced fumbled, admittedly all that came against the Rams, but it’s still something to praise.
A match up you fear for the Washington game and one you like
Yeah, Jayden Daniels vs our entire defence!
Harrison Jnr up against the Commanders CBs, Emmanuel Forbes and Benjamin-Juste, should be a positive for the Cardinals on Sunday.
Score prediction and likely end-season records for both sides?
I predict that it will be a high scoring game with the Cardinals just about winning. AZ 40 Washington 35
Season end predictions: Cardinals 10-7 Commanders 11-6
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