![]() Q4 4:38, Cardinals’ ball, 1 st and 15 from ARZ 40: Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Paris Johnson, 15 yards. The arbitrary criterion for a “big play” is EPA absolute value greater than 2 points. EPA uses a statistical model, based on over a decade of NFL play-by-play data to quantify a team’s scoring potential (Expected Points) before and after each play. These plays had the biggest impact on the Commanders’ scoring potential or potential to be scored upon, as quantified by Expected Points Added (EPA). Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images BIGGEST PLAYS OF THE GAME Pro Football Focus credits them with 11 pressures and ranks their pass rush 10 th overall. Pro Football Reference only credits Washington with 5 QB pressures and a pressure percentage of 15.2%, which ranks 21 st in the league. The two statistical services I use rated the Commanders’ pass rush differently. The Commanders were also one of 14 teams that failed to record an interception, despite investing a first round pick in a ball hawking CB. They had the 14 th most missed tackles (5, 3-way tie) and the 5 th most penalties (9, 4-way tie). The defense was a bit more ordinary in some categories, ranking 11 th in sacks (3, 7-way tie), 17 th in rushing yards allowed (96 yds), 22 nd in pass breakups (3, 3-way tie), and 25 th in pass completion percentage allowed (70%). The defense allowed no touchdowns on two red zone appearances, which tied them for the best red zone record with the Saints, Cowboys and Ravens. The Commanders’ defense allowed the 8 th fewest points (16), the 4 th fewest total yards (210), the 3 rd fewest yards per play (3.6 yds, tie with Minnesota), 2 nd fewest 1 st downs (13, 4-way tie), 8 th lowest third down conversion rate (28.6%, tie with Bengals), 5 th fewest passing yards (114 yds), and had the 8 th most takeaways (2, 9-way tie). Jack Del Rio’s unit ranked 3 rd in the league in defensive efficiency, behind only Dallas and Cleveland, at a stingy -0.348 EPA/play. In a pattern that should be familiar to Washington fans, the defense kept the Commanders in the game. At least they weren’t as bad as the Giants, who ranked dead last with an alarming -0.427 EPA/play. Overall, the Commanders ranked 25 th in the league in offensive efficiency, with a paltry -0.222 Expected Points Added per play. Washington only ranked third highest in sacks as a percentage of drop backs (16.2%), behind both the Giants and the Falcons. The sack problem actually might not be as bad as the gross numbers make it appear. The offense also gave up the second most sacks (6), and committed the 9 th most penalties (8) in the NFL. However, they were the only team to escape a 3-turnover performance with a win. ![]() The Commanders’ offense tied for second most turnovers committed (3) with 5 other teams. They placed 25 th in total yardage (248 yds), 21 st in passing yards (156 yds), 18 th in rushing yards (92, 3-way tie), and 13 th in total touchdowns (2, 10-way tie). In Week 1, the Commanders’ offense ranked 15 th in points scored (20 pts, 5-way tie). Washington is just 1 point behind Philadelphia in point differential, but trails Dallas by 36 points. That marks the lowest total yardage allowed by Washington in a season opener since 2005 against the Chicago Bears (166 yards allowed).Īfter one game the Commanders are in a three-way tie for the NFC East Division lead. The Commanders held the Cardinals to just 210 total yards and 0 touchdowns on offense. He is the 12 th QB to start at least one game for Washington over that period. On Sunday, Sam Howell became the 7 th different quarterback to start a season opener for Washington in 7 consecutive seasons. Some might even say the best players for Washington wore Cardinals’ uniforms. They overcame a first half deficit and they found a way to win by capitalizing on their opponent’s mistakes. ![]() Close observers may have noticed they did two things well, which we haven’t always seen in the recent past. The re-energized fanbase clearly hoped to see more than a win that didn’t cover the spread against a Cardinal’s team that appears to be heading into an offseason restructure. The team is already ahead of where they started under previous ownership, with an overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Harris era got off to an auspicious start with a 20-16 win in a sold-out FedEx stadium. This was also the first game Washington played under new ownership since September 12, 1999. With Sunday’s victory added to the win total, Washington leads the series 78-47-2 against their historic adversary. The Commanders’ home opener against the Cardinals was the 127 th meeting of the two franchises whose history together dates back to 1932.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |