Commanders Vs. Colts (london) – Studs And Duds

Washington took on Indianapolis over the pond and, although they hung tough early on, the injuries (playing their third string quarterback), inconsistent play calling, poor coaching and having to play not only against the Colts but also the refs, ultimately doomed the Commanders in the end and resulted in a 30-13 loss.

Washington is now 1-3 on the season with a division game against the Giants on the horizon. Dan Quinn’s seat continues to get even hotter and Adam Peters’ draft and free-agency strategy have fans questioning his qualifications.

Although there is a great chance both quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Terry McLaurin return next week, it’s going to take a miracle for Washington to make the postseason at this rate.

Below are my Studs and Duds of the game, followed by some notes.

Studs:

• CB Amik Robertson: Mik led the team in tackles (nine total, seven solo) and had a beautiful pass defended on a deep shot down the left sideline, allowing just two passes completed in coverage. He continues to be the bright spot on this defense.

• DL Javon Kinlaw: Kinlaw has been playing some really good football, and that continued over the pond. He recorded three tackles (two of them stops), had two batted passes and two pressures.

• CB Rasul Douglas: Douglas had a nice game against Indy’s wide receivers. He recorded an interception on an errant pass by Jones and had a big hit to prevent a first down on a third-and-short. He had six tackles and a pass defensed.

Duds:

• Alan Eck and his crew: This was easily the worst officiated game I have seen in quite some time, and I have seen some bad ones throughout the years. This crew, led by the Pennsylvania guy who grew up an Eagles fan, called a completely one-sided game that saw Washington get hit with 10 penalties for 84 yards and had a touchdown by Antonio Williams erased, while the Colts had just one penalty for five yards. But it wasn’t just what was called. It’s also what wasn’t called, including two pretty blatant pass interference calls against the Colts defensive backs. The “crew” needs to be investigated by the NFL.

• HC Dan Quinn/OC David Blough: The fourth-down run with none other than CRAIG REYNOLDS behind the weak spot on our offensive line was mind-blowingly STUPID! Also, why are we not using our tight ends in the passing game? I still like Blough and know he’s being hamstrung by who/what he’s being given, but as for Quinn, his time is running out.

• G Matt Gulbin: It was a rough start for the rookie at right guard (and this speaks to just how bad Nick Allegretti has been playing), and although his play did improve some as the game went on, it wasn’t nearly enough to keep him off the Duds list. His lack of blocking is what got Mariota injured early on.

• P Tress Way: Way was “WAY” off with his punting throughout the game. This may be the first time he’s made my Duds list, but he definitely deserved it.

• GM Adam Peters: Peters and Quinn lied to us all offseason about Nick “The Wonder-Boy” Allegretti”, and how they had FULL CONFIDENCE in him as their starting center. Four weeks into the season, a street free agent has taken over at center and Wonder-Boy was benched at right guard for a rookie. Not only that, but Adam went into the season with almost $26M in cap space, yet proceeded to sign guys off the street who are now starting. His draft picks have turned out to be just BAD (Sainritsil, Sinnott and McCaffrey), while others can’t see the field because they are injured (Daniels, Amos, Newton and Magee). Bill Croskey-Merritt is not RB1, yet were treating him as if he is. Coleman is serviceable at best as a left tackle. At some point, the finger needs to be pointed in his direction for his poor personnel decisions – including his trade for an injured Lattimore.

Notes:

• QB Athan Kaliakmanis had an up-and-down game, but given the circumstances, I though the rookie hung in there and did the best he could. He made some good throws and he made a few I’m sure he’d like to have back. I’ll tell ya what though: he’s not afraid to let it rip!

• QB Marcus Mariota looked good early in the game before getting his knee injured. I believe we win this game with him under center for all four quarters.

• DL Daron Payne looked a bit better against the Colts, getting some good push in the pocket. He registered three pressures on the afternoon and had some nice tackles.

• EDGE Odafe Oweh had a rather quite game, but he did have the hat-trick early in the first quarter where he pushed his defended into Jones — registering a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery on the play. He notched two pressures on the afternoon.

• RB Austin Ekeler, in limited action, looked like the best running back on the roster. This is a direct indictment on Adam Peters for not adequately addressing the position in the offseason.
• WR Dyami Brown had a good game given the situation. He had caught three of his four targets for 65 yards.
• How is it that LB Sonny Sytles (reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week) and LB Kain Medrano were splitting time in Nickle, while Luvu was on the field for 100% of the snaps? Please, make this make sense!
• WR Antonio Williams is going to be a really solid receiver. His long run-after-the-catch touchdown that got brought back for two phantom penalties was really nice.

• I thought S Jeremy Reaves had a rough start to the season, but he’s shown well over the last two week – and I know he’s playing a bit dinged-up. Props to Revo for toughing it out.
• EDGEK’Lavon Chaisson remained active against the Colts despite being held (not called – big surprise) most of the game. He combined with Tim Settle for a sack and had three pressures.

• K Drew Stevens hit both of his field goals with a long of 31. Hey, right now I’m looking for as many positives as I can find…

• CB Mike Sainristil played just five defensive snaps. He’s on his way to being inactive, maybe even released.