The Washington Commanders are the talk of the NFL. At 7-2 and residing atop the NFC East since Week 2, the Commanders feature one of the NFL’s top offenses, led by phenomenal rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Here are Washington’s current offensive rankings:
As you can see, the Commanders offense isn’t the problem. And while the defense has shown improvements in recent weeks, they’ve had issues stopping the run. Washington’s pass defense is currently ranked No. 5 in the NFL, but those numbers don’t tell the entire story.
When the Commanders face a team with an elite wide receiver, the pass defense struggles. Washington has had issues against Malik Nabers, Zay Flowers, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Ja’Marr Chase.
On Tuesday, the Commanders made a bold move, trading draft picks to the New Orleans Saints for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The 28-year-old Lattimore immediately slots in as Washington’s No. 1 cornerback as the Commanders’ schedule ramps up with upcoming games against the Steelers, Eagles and Cowboys.
We know Lattimore’s history as one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, but what’s he doing this season?
Lattimore is still playing at a high level, even though he’s dealt with a nagging hamstring injury this season.
Over the past four seasons, Lattimore’s numbers are even more impressive:
With Lattimore now in the burgundy and gold, the Commanders have six cornerbacks on the 53-man roster: Lattimore, Benjamin St-Juste, Emmanuel Forbes, Mike Sainristil, Noah Igbinoghene and Michael Davis.
In recent weeks, Washington has primarily used only St-Juste, Sainristil and Igbinoghene. Davis hasn’t played defense in weeks, while Forbes’ playing time continues to decrease.
It became increasingly clear that if the Commanders were going to be a contender, they’d need to improve at cornerback. Adding Lattimore allows Washington to move St-Juste into a No. 2 role while sliding the rookie Sainristil back inside at the slot position. Igbinoghene has also proven to be reliable and can play inside or outside. While Sainristil could be a Pro Bowl slot corner, he’s been impressive playing outside in recent weeks.
Washington plays Philadelphia in just over one week. The Eagles have two outstanding wideouts, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but also a fantastic running game. If he’s healthy, Lattimore can be assigned to Brown. He’s known for traveling with No. 1 receivers, which allows Sainristil to match up with Smith. Sainristil is a better matchup for Smith than St-Juste, but that could vary from week to week. Having cornerbacks who can line up one on one allows defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to commit extra resources to the run game.
The good news for Washington is that it now has four playable cornerbacks—five, depending on how you look at Forbes.
Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline was a massive victory for the Commanders.
The third game of a long early-season road trip doesn't exactly stakes of the NBA Finals. Early November definitely isn't June. It bears stressing that the defending-champion Boston Celtics were missing two All-Stars on Wednesday—not just Jaylen Brown, but also ...
The Pittsburg Steelers upgraded their receiving corps at the trade deadline, acquiring Mike Williams from the New York Jets for a fifth-round pick. However, they reportedly had their sights set higher, inquiring about several other wideouts in recent weeks. Seattle Seahawks star DK Metcalf was ...
Cһісаɡo Beаrs fаns аnd plаyers һаve been openly questіonіnɡ tһe teаm’s сoасһіnɡ stаff for weeks, wһісһ һаs led to seсond ɡuessіnɡ front offісe deсіsіons аnd wonderіnɡ wһаt mіɡһt һаve been. Nісk Frіedell, former аnd lonɡ-tіme NBA reporter for ESPN wһo wаs ...
The Los Angeles Lakers got humiliated by the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The Grizzlies blew out JJ Redick and company in the second half on the way to a dominant 131-114 win. Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell only played 22 minutes in the loss, which is ...
Tһіs seаson һаs been а сomplete dіsаster for tһe Dаllаs Cowboys. Tһey аre sіttіnɡ wіtһ а 3-5 reсord аfter eіɡһt ɡаmes аnd һаve а dіvіsіonаl tіlt аɡаіnst tһe Pһіlаdelpһіа Eаɡles on Sundаy. In tһe Week 9 loss to tһe Atlаntа Fаlсons, ...