Despite loss to Lions, Commanders’ offense shows explosive potential
Breaking down the explosive potential of the Commanders’ offense
The Washington Commanders loss to the Detroit Lions was hugely disappointing, not just because of the loss but also the performance. The defense looked incapable of stopping anything and the offense couldn’t get going in the first half. However, if there is one positive to take away from this game for the Commanders, it’s the explosive potential of the offense. Despite being down 22-0 at the half, the offense came out of the break and put together four touchdown drives that took a total of 17 minutes and 15 seconds off the clock. That’s just over four minutes and 18 seconds per drive.
They were able to be so productive because of the weapons on this roster. The top three receivers in Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson all made big plays, as did tight end Logan Thomas. Running backs Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic contributed too. With that many weapons all firing, it’s very hard for a defense to completely shut down an offense.
The second half started with a spark from rookie Jahan Dotson.
On this play, the Commanders run a version of their sail concept, with Dotson on the outside running a deep post to clear the deep defenders while Thomas in the slot runs the sail route and Samuel runs a shallow cross from the back side as the underneath option. Thomas gets significantly bumped as he runs his route, causing him to be thrown off his timing, but the safety to that side still reads his route and attaches to it early, breaking down to drive on it and prevent the sail route. However, by attaching to it so early, the safety leaves the corner on the outside exposed to Dotson on the deep post. Dotson beats the corner, who’s playing with outside leverage expecting to have a safety helping him inside. Carson Wentz reads the safety and pulls the trigger on the post to Dotson over the top.
A better throw out in front may well have led to a touchdown. Wentz’ throw was behind Dotson, forcing him to stop and come back to the ball. Dotson shows off his terrific body control and catching ability as he makes the adjustment and pulls in the catch while being tackled by the recovering corner.
That body control and catch radius came in handy later on for Dotson too.
Down on the goal line, the Commanders align Dotson in the slot to the right. Dotson wants to get inside of his defender, but the defender is playing with inside leverage. Off the snap, Dotson shows great patience, He takes a couple of stutter steps and jabs to the outside, waiting for the defender to take the bait and commit to the break outside. As soon as the defender bites, Dotson cuts sharply across his face to get inside of him and then works vertical towards the back of the end zone. Facing a free rusher, Wentz rolls to his right to buy some time and then delivers his throw the moment Dotson makes his cut, trusting Dotson to complete the route and make the play.
Dotson again shows his outstanding catch radius and body control. The ball isn’t placed in an ideal spot, but then Wentz was under pressure, throwing on the run and also threw the ball as Dotson was cutting rather than waiting to see his exact path after the cut. The reason Wentz has the trust in Dotson to make that throw in the first place is because he knows Dotson has the ability to make the throw right, wherever it’s placed. Dotson goes up and makes an incredible catch to a ball that's high and behind him, all while a defender is contesting the catch. He initially only gets one hand on the ball and then manages to secure it while falling to the ground to complete the touchdown.
The start to Dotson’s rookie season continues to be incredibly impressive and impactful, but he’s not the only receiver that was making big plays for Washington either.
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