My friend told me late in the fourth quarter, “Thank goodness for the short fields.”
He is exactly correct, as the Washington Commanders defense and special teams led the way in the Commanders’ 24-16 victory Sunday in Atlanta.
It was a team win as the Commanders offense received plenty of help Sunday in providing short fields and big plays to spur the team to a much-needed win, breaking their three-game losing streak.
The three Washington touchdowns were scored on drives of three plays for 11 yards, seven plays gaining 52 yards, and two plays accumulating 27 yards. Can you imagine winning an NFL game when your three touchdown drives only average out to a mere 30 yards a drive?
Trailing 7-3 early in the second quarter, the Commanders Jamison Crowder received a Falcons punt at his own 28-yard line and provided Washington their first exciting punt return of 2023, returning the punt 61 yards to the Atlanta 11.
Sam Howell connected with Antonio Gibson three plays later from the 1, and Washington led 10-7.
The Commanders did drive 52 yards for a touchdown, culminated when Howell found Curtis Samuel from the 7 for a 17-7 lead.
Leading 17-10 in the third quarter, Kendall Fuller intercepted Desmond Ridder at the 50-yard line, returning the pass 23 yards to the Falcons 27.
Brian Robinson then ran for three yards before going 24 yards for a touchdown and a 24-10 Commanders lead.
That was it from the offense. In their next four possessions, they only ran 15 plays gaining a mere 32 yards (just over 2 yards a play).
The Commanders defense again came to the rescue. Leading 24-16, the Commanders blitzed on 3rd & Goal from the 7, forcing a premature Ridder pass, which was intercepted by Benjamin St-Juste in the end zone.
With only 31 seconds remaining, the Lions had driven 59 yards and were at the Commanders’ 34. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio then rushed only four, dropping seven into coverage. Linebacker Jamin Davis jumped the slant route intended for Bijan Robinson and made a terrific interception saving the game for the Commanders.
Defense, special teams, offense…a team win.
