The Washington Commanders have played must-win games for what feels like half the season, but today’s game was the first that could actually knock them out of the playoffs with a loss. Ron Rivera moved on to Carson Wentz in the fourth quarter last week in a loss to the 49ers. He led the team on a TD record, but got off to a terrible start in his first start since Week 6. Wentz threw two interceptions in the 1st quarter, but was able to lead the team on a 21-play record to give the Commanders the lead at halftime.
The second half was another nothing for Washington’s offense. They only scored once, a 43-yard field goal from Joey Slye. Wentz was inaccurate and had trouble moving anything in the air. A third interception, this one in the end zone by a double-covered Jahan Dotson, put the game beyond Washington’s reach.
This double-digit loss to a team already knocked out of the playoffs, at home, is another embarrassing loss in a streak that has seen the Commanders go 0-3-1 over the past 5 weeks. If the Packers beat the Vikings tonight, Washington will be officially knocked out of the playoffs, and we could finally see Sam Howell start next week against a Cowboys team that will play for the NFC East Division after the Eagles lost today.
Survey
Who should start against the Cowboys next week?
3rd trimester
Jonathan Allen ruled out with knee injury:
3 and out:
Commanders started the second half by going three and out. Hated the call to throw the ball on 2nd and 12th after losing two. Set up a 3rd and 11th.
Tress Way’s first punt of the day soon followed.
—Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 1, 2023
Amari Cooper TD:
#Commanders losing the lead after a 46-yard TD to Amari Cooper. Was a straightforward route, Kendall Fuller missed the tackle and David Mayo couldn’t catch Cooper, who sprinted along the sideline into the end zone pic.twitter.com/cAqKRBsnTP
—Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) January 1, 2023
Sponge sweep:
Terry McLaurin’s second touch today comes on an 11-yard sweep more than 5 minutes into the third quarter.
– Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 1, 2023
Brian Robinson Big Game:
Carson Wentz packed:
3rd & 8, the Browns put the pressure on. Garrett lines up in the middle and attacks C Wes Schweitzer. All things considered, Schweitzer does a relatively good job on Garrett, but the other rushers who follow Garrett inside don’t get picked up and knock Wentz down for the sack. pic.twitter.com/ngeJmaF3ki
—Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) January 1, 2023
Another big pass to Amari Cooper:
Sailing concept for the Browns on 3rd and long. Washington puts pressure but the Browns recover it well. Cooper ends up working against Forrest and opens up for a big conversion pic.twitter.com/gFRkxDE17w
—Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) January 1, 2023
Big game for Njoku:
Watson to Njoku for 21.
It was 2nd and 19th.
– Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 1, 2023
Danny Johnson INT:
Browns TD:
It’s going to be interesting to see the All-22 in this game because no one is running Peoples-Jones and there’s no defender in midfield ready to make the save. Browns land easy TD to extend lead to 10 pic.twitter.com/mQsVDlK8Tp
—Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) January 1, 2023
Land in Cleveland. On the third try, Watson finds Donovan Peoples-Jones. Washington is now down two scores with 36 seconds left in the third quarter
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) January 1, 2023
4th trimester
Wentz to McLaurin:
Wentz finds McLaurin for a big payout. Washington on the move
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 1, 2023
Washington FG:
17-10. Slye with a 43-yarder, but the Commanders really needed a TD there.
— Washington by Rick Snider (@Snide_Remarks) January 1, 2023
Casey Toohill:
Daron Payne with a big rush to win quickly and close in on Watson. Watson does a great job avoiding the bag but Casey Toohill chases and trips him to save the game pic.twitter.com/jcqEQnTaRL
—Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) January 1, 2023
3rd penalty:
3rd and 8th and desperate for a stoppage and getting flagged for 12 men on the ground. It’s about coaching.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 1, 2023
Amari Cooper TD:
Cooper runs through the field and the commanders fail to retrieve him. Darrick Forrest ends up trying to get down his way, but misses the tackle and Cooper gets his second TD of the game. pic.twitter.com/aRBfkAI99Y
—Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) January 1, 2023
Cam Sims seeing:
Carson Wentz INT #3:
Wentz threw his third interception. Throw to a double cover Jahan Dotson in the end zone.
Play in review.
– Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 1, 2023
Bad last trip for Wentz:
Washington’s last record was (probably) embarrassing. A knockdown, a fall, two false start penalties, a turnover on downs.
-Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) January 1, 2023
Carson Wentz booed off the field:
Fans line the tunnel to boo Carson Wentz as he walks away. Difficult end to his DC tenure.
– michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) January 1, 2023
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