Following last week’s atrocious performance, Carson Wentz and the Commanders’ offense looked to bounce back as they traveled to Dallas to face off against their arch nemesis, the Dallas Cowboys. Although, coming off of a game where the offensive line gave up nine sacks. This wasn’t the ideal opponent that Washington needed to have a bounce-back game against.
Proposing a big threat to Carson Wentz and the Commanders’ offense’s ability to have success through the air. The Cowboys are a top-five-rated defense overall, which is highlighted by their elite pass rush and their ability to get pressure on the quarterback.
Coming into the game, the Commanders hoped to get back to five hundred for the season and their record within the division. However, the Commanders’ offensive struggles carried over from their previous two games. Holding them back once again from putting up any big numbers on the scoreboard. As they dropped their third game in a row after their opening game win.
Carson Wentz’s Worst Game as a Commander
For the majority of the game, Wentz was never able to get anything going down the field as most of his completions came from short underneath passes or passes to the boundary for screens. Leading to him going 25-42 for only 170 yards to go alongside a touchdown and two interceptions.
Wentz had only one play go for over 20 yards throughout the game, which was a 31-yard throw he made on the run to Jahan Dotson up the right sideline. After improvising once, he escaped the pocket.
For Wentz, it was a roller coaster ride for him throughout the game. Unfortunately, there were just too many downs than ups for him in the game as he was never able to consistently make things happen for the Commanders’ offense.
Although, he did look good on his first scoring drive. Where he was able to lead Washington on a 65-yard touchdown drive. That he capped off with a nice throw to Jahan Dotson on a corner route in the back of the end zone for their only touchdown of the game.
Outside of his two nice throws to Dotson; and a nice pass he made to Curtis Samuel on a curl right to extend the drive on 3rd & 12. Wentz was shaky with the passes he attempted throughout the game.
Constantly missing high and wide on a lot of his throws. Which persists in being a problem for him so far this season. In addition, it cost the Commanders opportunities to make big plays and extend drives, which they needed to have in a game that was teetering and waiting for someone to take control.
Unfortunately, Wentz wasn’t able to make the plays necessary to take over the game as he struggled with his decision-making. Trying to play hero, holding on to the ball until the last possible second trying to make a play. Which is something that has haunted him throughout his career and still something he struggles with.
However, this resulted in him getting sacked twice and also two intentional grounding penalties. One of which eradicated an opportunity for Washington to potentially tie the game late in the third quarter. As they instead had to settle for a field goal.
Ultimately, Wentz wasn’t able to generate a lot of offense. And failed to capitalize on the opportunities he did have to make something happen.
Penalties Drown the Commanders’ Offense
For the most part, Washington hadn’t been a heavily penalized team so far this season. Only being penalized 5.8 times per game. However, Sunday, their penalties were a key contributor to their loss as they racked up 137 penalty yards on 11 penalties for the game.
Which were the most they have been flagged for in a single game since 2018. Where Washington had ten penalties for a total of 147 yards against the Atlanta Falcons.
These penalties would be detrimental to the offensive side of the ball. As the offense was flagged for 7 of their 11 penalties, 2 of which were called on Carson Wentz for intentional grounding.
Seemingly whenever they took one step forward, they would take two steps back. As whenever Washington started to gain any rhythm they would commit an untimely penalty to move them back. Resulting in them never being able to fully capitalize on the opportunities they had to put them in positions to win the game.
This was a problem from their first drive. Hindering them from sustaining any type of rhythm. They got off to a nice start establishing the run game with Antonio Gibson. While also mixing in the passing game with a quick screen pass to Terry McLaurin to bring them to midfield.
However, a few plays later, a holding penalty on right guard Trai Turner would kill all of their momenta. Setting them back 5 yards and positioning them in a second and long situation.
Which allowed for Dallas’ fierce pass rush to get after Carson Wentz on the ensuing play. Thus, killing the drive and halting any momentum that was brewing.
Consequently, this would be a continuous pattern for the Commanders’ offense for the entirety of the game. Consistently putting the offense in a lot of long-down situations. Which forced the Commanders’ hands to have to run screen plays or a running back draw; to try to get the penalty yards back.
Defensive Struggles in Commanders’ Secondary Continue
Furthermore, penalties were also a problem for the defense as well. In particular, their secondary; who was responsible for all four of Washington’s defensive penalties.
The penalties in the secondary were very costly for the Commanders as their penalties wiped away two interceptions that would have been huge for them to shift the momentum.
The Commanders’ defensive backs, struggled severely with staying in front of the Cowboys’ receivers. As they found themselves open for big plays all game long. Which has been something that their secondary has struggled with for the last three games.
At one point late in the second half it seemed like the Cowboys’ game plan was to just throw it down the field to Michael Gallup on a streak because they knew that he would get held by William Jackson III.
For William Jackson III, it was a rough day at the office for him as he was the main offender when it came to the penalties in the secondary. Being whistled for two pass interference calls during key moments where the Commanders needed a stop. One of which took back an interception made by safety Cam Curl.
Struggles within the secondary have been a problem for this team all season long. Constantly giving up the big plays through the air. Sequentially, this is something that the Commanders’ secondary needs to clean up expeditiously.
As they move on to next week, where they will host the Tennessee Titans. The secondary will not only need to key in on not giving up plays in the passing game. Also, need to give assistance in the running game to help slow down two time rushing champ Derrick Henry.