The Washington Commanders will look a bit different this week for their Week 9 game against the New England Patriots. For the first time since the end of the 2018 season, neither Montez Sweat nor Chase Young are a part of Washington’s roster.
The Commanders traded their starting defensive ends ahead of this week’s NFL trade deadline, opening the door for James Smith-Williams, Casey Toohill and Efe Obada to replace Young and Sweat.
While Washington will miss Young, Sweat and their combined 11.5 sacks, the Commanders couldn’t be any worse on defense without the duo. Washington currently ranks No. 29 in total defense.
What must the Commanders do to defeat the Patriots?
Here are four keys to victory for Week 9.
Start fast
Does this sound familiar? It’s been a broken record the number of times we’ve heard coaches and players say the Commanders need to start fast. This weekend, they face a struggling New England team with a myriad of issues on offense. If Washington can get up on the Patriots early and make them play from behind, the Commanders should win this game. But Washington is so unpredictable, starting slow in embarrassing losses to the Chicago Bears and New York Giants.
Starting fast applies on both sides of the ball for Washington.
Del Rio should be aggressive on defense
Far too often over the past few seasons, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has counted on his defensive line to win up front. Instead of staying aggressive with creative pressure packages, Del Rio allowed his defensive line, full of former first-round picks, to get pressure on the opposing quarterback.
That didn’t always work, so with Young and Sweat gone, Del Rio should dial up more pressures, using players such as linebacker Jamin Davis, safety Kamren Curl and others to come after Patriots QB Mac Jones. Washington was 5-2 without Sweat and Young in 2021, so expecting the Commanders to be any worse is unlikely.
Settle Sam Howell in early
Sam Howell was outstanding against the Philadelphia Eagles last week. So which Howell — and Washington offense — will we get against the Patriots? The Philadephia version, or the embarrassing version from Week 7 against the Giants?
While offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy can’t replicate the same plan against the Patriots, the offense should focus on the quick game with Howell. While Howell has faced some aggressive coaches in his young career, he’s facing the master on Sunday. Bill Belichick always makes life difficult for young quarterbacks.
Load up the box vs. Patriots
The Patriots aren’t a proficient running team, but they want that to be their identity. They have a solid pair of backs in Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott. Washington knows all about Elliott after he spent seven years in Dallas. On the season, neither Elliott nor Stevenson average four yards per rushing attempt. The Commanders need to ensure that remains the case, loading the box and making Mac Jones beat them. Jones has struggled, and he lost his leading receiver (Kendrick Bourne) for the season, as well as DeVante Parker for this week. If Jones passes for 300 yards, the Commanders are in major trouble.
