- 2 days ago
The Commanders enter a high-stakes Monday Night clash against a severely depleted 49ers squad. Could a single prime-time loss completely alter the future of Washington's coaching staff?
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SportsTranscript
00:00What's your general vibe on Diggs, if we just hone in on him?
00:03Trending towards return?
00:04Well, he didn't practice on Thursday.
00:07It was limited Friday and Saturday.
00:09I think he's trending toward going.
00:12So far this season, he's caught 18 passes in the first four games,
00:16including five catches for 35 yards.
00:19In his last game against Indy, he's been all right.
00:25Diggs.
00:25Oh, I think he's been excellent when he's been out there.
00:27I think he's been solid, but...
00:29I think he's been excellent.
00:30I don't know that he's been any better than Debo Samuel was last year.
00:34No, I mean, who cares?
00:35For us, he's been very solid.
00:37Solid.
00:38I think excellent is overstating it.
00:40I don't know.
00:41I think he's been excellent, too.
00:42He was excellent in the first couple weeks in those losses,
00:44but, yeah, the last couple games, I mean, he didn't...
00:47He missed a game.
00:49So when's the last time he played?
00:50October 4th?
00:51Yeah, I just know that when I see him on the field, I think he's...
00:54He's been out 15 days.
00:55He's a big-time weapon for us.
00:56And it may not show statistically yet, but I don't know.
00:59In my mind, when he's out there, it makes us a little bit more lethal, for sure.
01:04Definitely better.
01:05I just don't think he's been super explosive, but I guess he's kind of what we expected.
01:10I don't know.
01:11I think he's actually been a little bit better than what I thought, but who knows?
01:14The final injury report, JP did do it, lists four players out, nine questionable.
01:20Okay, out, for sure, Bill, Javante, Gene, Baptiste, Mariota, Menehue.
01:27The questionables...
01:29Listen, I'll start with the questionables who I think are going to play.
01:32I think Diggs.
01:33If I had to bet, I'd bet not a lot of money, but I'd bet a dollar that Diggs will
01:37play.
01:38I bet a dollar Nick Cross will play.
01:40He's been a full participant all week.
01:41Again, same situation, needs a doctor to clear him, not like a trainer.
01:45He's like an MD.
01:48And then Trey Amos, I feel like he's going to play this week, too.
01:53We certainly need him.
01:56Sector needs help.
01:57But what was his practice situation over the weekend?
01:59I believe he's practiced all week.
02:01Yeah.
02:02So it's just a matter of them returning him.
02:05Of course, he is in that 21-day return window.
02:08So it's just a matter of time before they do that.
02:11But Lucas Patrick has been sick, but I think they expect him to play.
02:15Jeremy Nichols.
02:16Look for him with Bill out.
02:18I think the general assumption is that Jeremy Nichols will find a way back on the active roster
02:24and be eligible.
02:26Kinlaw was full Thursday.
02:28Didn't practice Friday.
02:29Limited Saturday.
02:31I think the expectation is that you'll have Kinlaw.
02:35And then, of course, Jaden, back.
02:38Just got to keep him upright and healthy.
02:40Looked great.
02:41Last week.
02:43And then Terry practiced.
02:45He had a rest day built in.
02:49But he is expected to continue to play.
02:51So that's good.
02:52What is the over-under and how many times they're going to show the play during Monday Night Football's broadcast?
02:59How many times they're going to show it?
03:01Five?
03:02No.
03:03That seems overkill to me.
03:05Five times they're going to show it?
03:06Three?
03:07Two and a half, I think, is the number.
03:08All right.
03:09I think that's a good number.
03:10Well, they're going to talk about it more.
03:11They're going to talk about it endlessly.
03:13Incessantly.
03:14Well, pregame show is going to be a lot of that.
03:17Do you tell me how?
03:18I know you don't watch pregame shows.
03:20How mind-numbing it is.
03:21They'll talk about it endlessly through the game, I'm sure.
03:24Here's the situation.
03:25Listen.
03:26They beat Seattle, the defending champs.
03:29They've obviously proven if Jaden's on his game and everything, they can make a couple stops, create a few turnovers.
03:34That's one good thing that they've done.
03:35I think seven turnovers in the last three weeks.
03:37The problem is their record is 1-1-1 while they've done that.
03:40If they can find a way to win this, they'll be right in the thick of it.
03:45But, you know, I think the general consensus, as we talked about earlier, is if they get blown out, DQ's
03:51got to really watch his back.
03:52Could be a very, very interesting Tuesday-Wednesday.
03:55Here's another scenario.
03:57What if they play him tight, but they bungle the final two minutes again?
04:03They just can't.
04:03Like, not as spectacularly, but just another...
04:07In terms of decision-making?
04:07They just maybe miss a timeout or don't have enough timeouts.
04:11Maybe they use them early.
04:13It just becomes kind of a disaster down the stretch.
04:16Coming off...
04:17That would be untenable, right?
04:18What they did, yeah.
04:19I think that could get you fired.
04:21You can't have an end-of-half or end-of-game fiasco like they did previously.
04:24Like, imagine they don't have enough timeouts.
04:26The kicker's running out there with time expiring, and it's just an estuary.
04:30I mean, I just watched, like, the London game.
04:32I watched the Texans just do normal things at the end of the game and trot out their kicker and
04:39win the game.
04:39Right.
04:40With no time left.
04:40With no time left.
04:41I was like, that seems so basic and rudimentary.
04:44That should have happened.
04:45The other thing that I think that could haunt DQ, if it continues to happen, are the pre-snap penalties.
04:52Yeah.
04:53That's got to be tightened up.
04:54And my understanding is they brought in even more officials.
04:57It was more of a point of emphasis than ever.
05:00You know, trying to lock in all that stuff.
05:02So hopefully all that stuff's on point.
05:04By most accounts, it's been a great week of practice.
05:08The team says they're united.
05:09I know Jaden says, despite what people say, they're still all in behind DQ.
05:14They've put it behind them.
05:15Everybody's kind of taken ownership of it, which I think they all should.
05:20Now, how do they match up?
05:22I don't think you're demanding the music enough.
05:25I don't feel like it's getting played enough, man.
05:26It's Burgundy Gold game day.
05:27People are going to get hyped.
05:28Literally, I have a blister on my finger from playing it so much today.
05:32I don't know what you guys are talking about.
05:34Remember that, yes, the Niners are 5-0, but they are so banged up.
05:37They're not as good on the field right now as their record.
05:40They're not, but I think where they are good is going to be a huge problem for the Commanders.
05:45Because Kittle can play.
05:47CMC is healthy.
05:49And those guys work the short and intermediate stuff.
05:51It'll be those guys, yes.
05:52That has really been a problem for the Commanders.
05:55But if Evans doesn't play, he doesn't go because he's got rib issues and Achilles issues.
06:02They don't have anybody at receiver.
06:04I know.
06:05They're hoping Christian Kirk can come back and contribute.
06:07So Kyle Shannon has ruled out Debo.
06:10He's ruled out linebacker Wallow with a hamstring.
06:13He's ruled out Bosa.
06:15He's ruled out their safety, Seagulls.
06:19Evans is questionable, as you mentioned.
06:22Christian Kirk, questionable.
06:24So they definitely have some issues there.
06:28Kirk did practice, but he was limited throughout the week.
06:31So, you know, one thing that we're kind of focusing on the guys that they don't have, and that's fair.
06:40But they've had a lot of these guys missing throughout the season.
06:44Most injured team.
06:46One thing to look at is Jaden's running against the 49ers defense.
06:53ESPN has this stat.
06:55San Francisco has allowed just 33 yards to opposing quarterbacks running the football.
07:02Second fewest in the NFL.
07:03Yeah, I would definitely.
07:04I don't know what the number is.
07:05You know, I mean, everybody talks about Warner.
07:06They've got really good linebackers that are fast.
07:11It's going to be hard to run by.
07:13But, you know, Jaden's elite at doing it.
07:14I would expect he does the best.
07:17And I don't know.
07:18He's not going to have a 100-yard game.
07:20Yeah, it's not going to happen.
07:21They really haven't faced.
07:23Bo Nix hasn't run a lot this season.
07:25That's the thing.
07:25Willis is the guy who can scoot.
07:28But Matt Stafford's not going to run.
07:29They faced him.
07:31Darnold, for the most part, isn't going to run.
07:34But remember, when Kyle Shanahan was asked about Jaden,
07:38obviously every opposing coach is going to speak glowingly of the upcoming quarterback.
07:42Part of that deal was, I think he even mentioned in there,
07:45about how you have to have a spy on Jaden.
07:48Right?
07:48I think he actually even said it.
07:50Which seemed like the Giants didn't in the last game.
07:52Not sure.
07:52But I think it's going to.
07:54They're very conscious.
07:55And while he said the right things, that Jaden can beat you from the pocket,
07:59what obviously makes him special is taking off and running.
08:01I think it's going to be a little harder to go, running-wise, for Jaden tonight.
08:07By the numbers, it says that it will be.
08:09If I had to bet, I would bet that it will be.
08:10And you may not have faced the top-running quarterbacks,
08:13but I'll say this.
08:14We've seen Sam Darnold scoot.
08:16He can, but it's not really something he's looking to do.
08:19Yeah, but they haven't faced anybody like Jaden.
08:21Right.
08:21No.
08:22So, in terms of the best-running quarterback they've ever faced.
08:25But defensively, they've got to do something.
08:26Whatever they've been game-planning for the week,
08:28they've got to do something where they try and take Kittle out of the game
08:33as much as possible.
08:34Now, Shanahan's a genius, so he'll find ways to get him open.
08:37Yeah.
08:37But you've got to double-cover him,
08:39especially with all these receivers being banged up.
08:41You've got to make sure that Kittle doesn't kill you like every other tight end has.
08:44How big is the loss of Bill?
08:47No Ja'Cory Krosky merit.
08:49I don't think it's massive, especially if you have Eckler.
08:53Mick Nichols has certainly proven if he's healthy, he's serviceable.
08:56I mean, they don't...
08:56Rashad White's going to get a load tonight.
08:58I mean, Eckler still has a little pop if he's healthy.
09:00I think so.
09:01So, he could still potentially give you some explosive plays.
09:04Will anybody get over 10 carries on the commanders?
09:08I think White might.
09:10Jaden might.
09:11No, I don't...
09:12I mean, I don't know.
09:13I mean, if...
09:14Well, then you're basically thinking you're putting it all on Jaden.
09:16If I'm David Blau, I have to lean into my best player.
09:19And my best rusher, I'm sorry, is Jaden Daniels.
09:22And it's not even close.
09:23Yeah, but they're not designed runs, Cakes.
09:25They're all coming off passes.
09:27That could be the case, but...
09:29I mean, it is the case.
09:30I'm leaning into Jaden as much as I can.
09:33So, in other words, you're going to tell him,
09:34look, I'm not going to call any runs, but when you see space, take it.
09:38Yeah.
09:38That's how you're going to approach it.
09:39Pretty much.
09:40Yeah.
09:42Statistically, it's very hard to find an area
09:45where Washington has an advantage.
09:48They're only scoring 23 points per game.
09:51Remember, in 2024, when we had that magical run,
09:54we scored almost 30.
09:55So, we're about a touchdown off where they need to be,
09:58I think, offensively.
10:00Defensively, we've talked about it.
10:02I think, what, in four of the last five games or more,
10:05they're giving up something like 20 points
10:07in the second half alone.
10:09Their second half defensive efficiency is just, I don't know.
10:14Trash.
10:14I don't know what's going on.
10:15So, that's got to be figured out.
10:18Meanwhile, San Francisco, they're third in scoring.
10:22They're third defensively in scoring.
10:25It's going to be a tough one.
10:27I don't know.
10:27I guess the formula will be try to continue to create turnovers if you can.
10:33Try to, obviously, win time of possession.
10:38Kind of just standard things you say every week,
10:39but it's really true.
10:41Keep the ball out of Purdy's hands.
10:43You don't want to give him all day to pick you apart.
10:45He's only thrown three interceptions all season long.
10:52And try and take Kittle out of the game.
10:54One of the impressive things about the commanders,
10:56and it's hard to find impressive things about the commanders
10:58when you're 1-3-1.
10:59Or only been sacked three times.
11:00But the turnover margin and the turnover differential is also being carried.
11:06Yes, they've been creating turnovers,
11:07but they've only committed two turnovers this year.
11:12That's pretty incredible for a team that has that bad of a record.
11:16Yeah.
11:17Only two giveaways?
11:19Yeah.
11:19Well, because Jaden protects the ball, you know, typically.
11:24And then, you know, Bill hasn't been carrying it that much,
11:27to be honest with you.
11:28When the game would get tight, Bill would be on the sideline
11:31to give it to somebody else.
11:32But he's also been good when he had it.
11:34He's been pretty good when he had it.
11:35He's been solid.
11:36Yeah, it's kind of shocking that they have a plus five
11:38along with the Chiefs, who don't have a loss.
11:40The Jags are plus five.
11:42And the Vikings are plus six.
11:45Will Washington be able to pressure Purdy enough?
11:50Because, you know, he's not the most athletic player in the world,
11:53but, you know, he can move.
11:54Oh, he definitely can move around.
11:56He can move, for sure.
11:57He has a really good sense of the pocket
11:59and the way he kind of, like, slides around and moves around.
12:01Yeah, he's, you know, he can make those throws
12:03and his anticipation throws.
12:06He talked about it a couple weeks ago that, you know,
12:0950% of the time he's just throwing to a spot.
12:11He can't even see where it's going.
12:14You know, it's so difficult to play quarterback in this league,
12:17but he has really mastered it.
12:20And their offensive line is really good,
12:22especially run blocking.
12:24I mean, Trent's one of the best,
12:25but they've got other really good linemen,
12:28so that's why they're able to open up some holes.
12:32And Shanahan, he knows how to scheme that stuff.
12:36But they just don't have the weapons they usually have.
12:38I think that's going to be an issue.
12:40A key thing will be, and you've got to figure,
12:42they think we don't need Evans, that we can rest him.
12:46If they can rest him, that'd be great for us.
12:49Of course.
12:50Massive.
12:50Of course.
12:51Then you can really focus on Kittle.
12:52He's a warrior.
12:53If he can go, he's going to lobby to go in the game.
12:56It's a matter of whether he's healthy enough.
12:58Yeah.
12:59So I think we've just got to win time of possession.
13:01We've got to create turnovers.
13:03And we've got to have that same kind of first-half effort defensively.
13:07Got to have it throughout for 60 minutes.
13:09Got to have it in the second half.
13:10And then you just cross your fingers and pray.
13:11Can't have all these dumb penalties.
13:14Can't, you know, especially all the pre-snap stuff.
13:16That's got to be cleaned up.
13:17Got to manage the clock better.
13:20You know, and you've got to score in the red zone.
13:23That's one thing that San Francisco, I think, is incredible at.
13:26I think they're like 10 for 10 in the red zone.
13:29Something like that.
13:29They're in the red zone.
13:30They score touchdowns.
13:31Yeah.
13:31They're good.
13:32And I don't think we're very good at stopping teams in the red zone.
13:34And a lot of that's Evans.
13:36Yeah.
13:36No, I mean, their numbers are horrific in the red zone.
13:39Right.
13:39It's not a good matchup statistically.
13:42See if I can find it.
13:43But if you get in the red zone against Washington, you're pretty much scoring.
13:48Yeah.
13:49Here it is.
13:49Washington's allowed touchdowns on a league worst, 83.3% of red zone drives.
13:55Meanwhile, San Francisco leads the NFL by scoring touchdowns on 87.5% of red zone drives.
14:01So if San Francisco's in the red zone tonight, they're going to score TD.
14:04They're going to score.
14:04That's what they do.
14:05But think about it.
14:06How much stronger, in theory, we should be with Amos and Nick Cross.
14:13Should be improved.
14:13That should help for secondary.
14:15That should be noticeable.
14:16I don't know if it's not to slow down the Niners, but they should be improved.
14:18Well, maybe we could make a stop or two we wouldn't otherwise.
14:23It's not going to help every time, but maybe it helps once or twice.
14:26By the way, this is an interesting nugget.
14:28So last year, we spent so much time talking about how the Commanders were old.
14:32The 49ers this year have scored 20 touchdowns, 18 of them from guys 30 or older.
14:39Maybe that's part of the reason they get injured.
14:41They lead on a lot of old guys.
14:43McCaffrey, Evans, and Kittle.
14:44The old guys.
14:45That has to be the bulk of them right there.
14:49I can't think of anybody else.
14:51Okay, Debo.
14:51But he's not going to play.
14:52Let's do it.
14:52Don't be safe.