The Washington Commanders have a prime opportunity to show the rest of the NFL they are for real on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. The 2-0 Commanders host the 1-1 Bills at FedEx Field in front of a sellout crowd.
While Washington hasn’t been perfect through two weeks, the Commanders may finally have a quarterback in Sam Howell. Howell has been outstanding through the first two games, and Washington’s already stout defense was bolstered by the return of defensive end Chase Young last week. The Commanders sacked Denver quarterback Russell Wilson seven times.
Buy Commanders TicketsWhat happens when they face the Bills, one of the NFL’s best teams?
As we continue to learn more about the Bills ahead of Week 3, we spoke to someone who knows them the best: Bills Wire managing editor Nick Wojton to talk everything Buffalo.
Which Josh Allen will we see on Sunday?
Nick Wojton: Good question. The one everyone has in western New York. I think we’ll probably see a little bit of a looser QB. We’ve seen it before. He has a turnover-filled game (Jets). Realizes it’s his fault. Tightens it up (Raiders). And eventually the comfort comes back. I don’t think we’ll see the gunslinger Allen back just yet, rather, I’m expecting to see him taking things into his hands more with his legs against the Commanders while, of course, taking his shots down the field, too.
James Cook looks like the best Buffalo running back in some time. How does he change the Bills offense?
NW: So far, so good. He didn’t have a “redshirt” year in 2022 as a rookie, but the writing was on the wall that he’d take Devin Singletary’s touches this season. Even in Buffalo’s Week 1 loss he played well–Cook is a shifty runner, not quite LeSean McCoy, but he’s much quicker. His skills have kept opposing defenses a bit more honest. What I’m most curious to see is if the Bills can give him enough time and space to work against a much stronger defensive front this week as compared to the Chandler Jones-less Raiders a week ago.
Is the offensive line a team strength?
NW: Absolutely… not. For the praise the Bills front office deserves for their roster building, the offensive line is not one of the areas that’s ever gone particularly well. It’s never been a group that’s above average, but with Allen, that’s all you really need with his mobility. The Commanders’ group is a scary one, though. It could be a long day for Cook, and that could make things tough on Allen.
What are the defensive strengths?
NW: The defensive line seems to be the area taking over this year (finally). Greg Rousseau is in his third season, and I might as well start writing up the ‘Bills pick up Rousseau’s fifth-year option’ piece. Ed Oliver, fresh off an extension of his own, is great in the middle. Note: Von Miller still isn’t even freakin’ back. This shift to the D-line is refreshing. For years, the secondary led the way with little support from front. I’m not saying yet that Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer have lost a step… but we’re getting close to that point, so the secondary must be loving this new-found help.
Are there any defensive liabilities?
NW: The Bills have a night-and-day linebacker group. Buffalo runs a nickel-base defense. Only two linebackers. For a majority of snaps, we’ll see defensive back Taron Johnson out there somewhere, usually in the slot. Johnson’s so underrated. Matt Milano is finally getting attention for the beast he is at linebacker. Terrel Bernard is two games into replacing Tremaine Edmunds in the heart of the defense. He had his first career interception last week, but I’m not sold just yet. Naturally… he deserves time.
Prediction?
NW: I’m going to go with the Bills, but I’m going to give the Commanders their deserved respect. I think it’s a game for the under with a couple of strong defensive pieces out there (sorry, Josh), and I can see Washington covering. What Buffalo has going for them: Each year, they always have a game they lose that grounds them; unfortunately for the Commanders, that happened against Zach Wilson and the Jets. It’s still fresh. I’ll go Bills 23, Commanders 17.
