The Washington Commanders continue to find disappointing and heartbreaking ways to lose. On Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks topped the Commanders, 29-26, when kicker Jason Myers nailed a 43-yard field goal as time expired to send Washington to its sixth loss of the season.
The Commanders led throughout the first half of Sunday’s game but went into halftime tied at 9-9. Both teams’ offenses seemingly woke up in the second half, as Washington scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns on a pair of Sam Howell TD passes.
But Howell left too much time for Seattle’s offense. Geno Smith had 53 seconds, two timeouts and only needed a field goal. A pair of passes totaling 44 yards to DK Metcalf put the Seahawks in positions for Myers’ game-winner.
Who stood out for Washington in Sunday’s loss? And who deserves blame?
Studs and duds from Week 10.
Stud: QB Sam Howell
We’ve officially reached the point where Sam Howell makes this list each week. Howell started things off in a big way with a Patrick Mahomes-like touchdown pass to running back Brian Robinson Jr. While Washington’s offense struggled at times throughout the second and third quarters, Howell again saved his best work for the end.
With the Commanders trailing 19-12, Howell led Washington on their second touchdown drive, tying the score at 19 in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks responded with a touchdown, but Howell wasn’t giving up so easily. With under two minutes remaining, Howell led the Commanders on another touchdown drive, with a beautiful 35-yard rope to Dyami Brown to tie the game at 26.
Howell also showed off his legs with a nice scramble for a first down. Unfortunately, this would lead to his biggest mistake, a fumble in the third quarter.
It was another 300-yard performance from Howell — his third straight — all against respectable defensive teams. Washington has its guy.
Duds: Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio
What was up with Washington’s time management and timeout usage on Howell’s game-tying drive? The Commanders burned through two timeouts, one of which came when the clock was stopped. Howell overcame the issues, but what if Washington had needed those timeouts for the defense? It’s a persistent theme for Rivera.
Another questionable call — although I didn’t knock Rivera for it — was not going for the two-point conversion. Against Philadelphia in Week 4, I believe Rivera should’ve gone for the two points. But against the Seahawks, there was just too much time left, and it would not have mattered anyway. Could it have changed Seattle’s decision-making? Sure, but the Seahawks moved the ball with ease against Washington’s defense all day.
Speaking of that defense. Jack Del Rio, what is going on? This defense stunk with Chase Young and Montez Sweat, so let’s not pretend the Commanders missing them is why they were terrible against the Seahawks. Washington’s defensive issues are a much bigger problem than just the talent on the field.
Studs: RBs Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson
Over the last two weeks, the Commanders have received outstanding production from both of their running backs: Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson.
In Sunday’s loss, Robinson had his first-career 100-yard receiving game, catching six passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. Robinson also rushed for 38 yards on eight attempts. Gibson, meanwhile, carried the ball four times for 13 yards but made his impact as a receiver, too, catching five passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.
These running backs are doing everything in Eric Bieniemy’s offense, and it’s good to see them contributing when Washington isn’t running the ball well or just simply not running the ball.
Duds: The defensive line
The Commanders’ D-Line was making this list with Sweat and Young, too. There remain far too many resources invested in this group to end the game with one sack for no negative yardage. Washington needs Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne to dominate for stretches, not for one play each week. Those two have the ability to make life easier on the edge guys. If the Commanders could’ve kept pressure on Geno Smith, the result of this game could’ve been much different.
Stud: P Tress Way
Tress Way was the NFC special teams player of the week for his effort in last week’s win over the Patriots. Way’s punting was outstanding again on Sunday, averaging over 45 yards per punt and landing two inside the 20-yard line. But where Way shined the most on Sunday was as a holder. Long snapper Camaron Cheeseman had at least four bad snaps, and Way saved him almost every time. One of those snaps resulted in a missed extra point, but Way saved multiple points for the Commanders for his excellent work.
Dud: LS Camaron Cheeseman
We aren’t picking on Cheeseman, but this cannot continue to happen. Over the summer, we heard Cheeseman was trying a new grip, which was why his snaps were bad. Early this season, Rivera stuck with him through another tough stretch.
But Sunday was his worst game yet. Imagine if Way hadn’t got the football down on some of Joey Slye’s kicks. Then Rivera would not have an excuse for protecting Cheeseman. After the game, Rivera seemed clear that he wasn’t concerned. He should be.
Dud: CB Benjamin St-Juste
Benjamin St-Juste had an awful day. He and Emmanuel Forbes have had a few this year. But one series in the fourth quarter was enough alone for St-Juste’s placement on this list. The Commanders had forced a fourth down after Percy Butler made an excellent play on third down. The Seahawks went for it. Smith passed to Metcalf, but St-Juste impeded the route and was called for defensive pass interference.
It was the correct call.
A few plays later, St-Juste was called for a face-mask penalty inside the 10-yard line. To top things off, St-Juste allowed a touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett.
Kendall Fuller remains far ahead of Washington’s other cornerbacks, and he’s a free agent in the offseason.
