WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
2021 Record - 7-10-0
Head Coach - Ron Rivera
New Additions - Carson Wentz (QB), Efe Obada (DL), Andrew Norwell (OL), Trai Turner (OL)
Offensive Rank in 2021 - 21st (324 YPG); Scoring - 23rd (19.7 PPG)
Defensive Rank in 2021 - 22nd (359 YPG); Scoring - 25th (25.5 PPG)
Carson Wentz comes over from the Indianapolis Colts this season to be the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders. Wentz threw for 3,563 yards and had 27 touchdowns along with seven interceptions last season. Taylor Heinicke (3,419 passing yards, 20 TD, 15 INT) is on board again this season. Antonio Gibson (1,037 rushing yards, 4.0 YPC average and seven TD along with 42 receptions, 294 yards, three TD) is the top running back and is backed up by J.D. McKissic (212 rushing yards plus 43 receptions for 397 yards and two TD) and Jaret Patterson, who had 266 yards (3.9 YPC) and two touchdowns. Terry McLaurin led Washington with 77 receptions in 2021 and had five touchdowns along with 1,053 receiving yards. He is joined by rookie Jahan Dotson (Penn State) and Curtis Samuel (injured for most of last season) and Dyami Brown. The tight ends are Logan Thomas (out last year with knee injury) and John Bates, who had 20 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown.
Jonathan Allen (nine QB sacks) and Montez Sweat (five sacks) lead the front line on defense as Chase Young (defensive end) is currently on the injured list. Rookie Phidarian Mathis (Alabama) will be looking to get his chance at defensive tackle. Linebackers include Cole Holcomb (team high 142 tackles and two interceptions last year), Jamin Davis, David Mayo and Khaleke Hudson. The defensive backfield has safeties Bobby McCain (four interceptions), Kamren Curl (99 tackles) and corners Benjamin St-Justie, William Jackson III (two picks) and Kendall Fuller (one INT).
Outlook for 2022 season - Washington has a new team nickname as Commanders and Head Coach Ron Rivera would like to see the team take command in the NFC East division once again after slipping back to third place in 2021. Washington won the division title in the 2020 season.
A lot will depend on how well Carson Wentz does as the new quarterback after one season with the Colts, which ended miserably when they lost to Jacksonville in the final game and missed out on a playoff spot. Wentz has shown some ability in his six NFL seasons to lead the offense to good numbers, so the Commanders should do better than scoring just 19 points per game this season. The running game was solid a year ago, but more is needed from the air attack.
If Chase Young (DE) can get back on the field early in the season, it would be a big boost for the defense, which dropped back to 22nd overall last season and gave up nearly 26 points per game. Young, Sweat and Allen form a really good trio up front and that gives Washington a formidable front seven. The team was good against the run a year ago, ranking eighth in the NFL. Pass defense was the issue (260 YPG allowed) in 2021 and Washington only had 38 QB sacks and eleven interceptions.
Washington had four one-score losses in 2021, so getting back to respectability and challenging in the division race (where Dallas and Philadelphia are favored to win) isn't too far out of reach. The team plays tough defense and if Wentz can get off to a good start, it would do wonders for them to win more than seven games. The playoffs would be a big bonus, but this season the Commanders likely will finish in third place once again in the NFC East.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Jacksonville
Week Two - at Detroit
Week Three - vs. Philadelphia
Week Four - at Dallas
Week Five - vs. Tennessee
Week Six - at Chicago
Week Seven - vs. Green Bay
Week Eight - at Indianapolis
Week Nine - vs. Minnesota
Week Ten - at Philadelphia
Week Eleven - at Houston
Week Twelve - vs. Atlanta
Week Thirteen - at N.Y. Giants
Week Fourteen - BYE
Week Fifteen - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Sixteen - at San Francisco
Week Seventeen - vs. Cleveland
Week Eighteen - vs. Dallas
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