Here we are again, following up another Commanders loss. Yeah, Washington had a shot at the end and could’ve beaten a more talented 49ers team on Monday night. But they didn’t. Keeping it close doesn’t get a half point in the win column.
Horseshoes and hand grenades and all that. So here we are, dissecting a 23-17 loss to San Francisco at Levi’s Stadium that dropped the Commanders to 1-4-1. Yeah, we know the early-season schedule was rough, but that ain’t gonna cut it.
There were several reasons why that happened, none more prevalent that a just-plain-awful first half where the Commanders couldn’t do anything right. A valiant second-half comeback attempt might’ve just saved Dan Quinn’s job (for now), but it couldn’t prevent another loss.
While we won’t make this a first-half-vs-second-half report card (that would just be too confusing), it might help some grades. So, get ready for some middle-of-the-road stuff in this Week 6 report card.
Rushing offense
The Commanders had just two handoffs in the first half. I mean, how, as a play caller, is that possible, even with a decreased play count? The Commanders ended up with 13 carries to running backs – a beauty by Jeremy McNichols was called back by penalty – for 43 yards. That’s a 3.3-yards-per-carry average. Not great. We can concede the blocking wasn’t ideal and the 49ers were getting after it, but the run designs and the commitment to the run game were lacking overall.
Grade: D
Passing offense
Jayden Daniels’ stat line doesn’t look too shabby. He completed 29-of-40 passes for 300 yards, two interceptions and no picks. Daniels heated up in the second half and nearly brought the Commanders back from the brink. The pass protection remains suspect, but the Commanders still worked the ball down the field despite a brutal Terry McLaurin injury that will have a lasting effect.
Stefon Diggs is a dawg (up, I spelled that right) and Treylon Burks is surely the No. 2 receiver moving forward. The air attack got better as the game progressed, but couldn’t finish the job.
Grade: B
Rushing defense
K’Lavon Chaisson punched the ball free from Christian McCaffrey’s grasp – Frankie Luvu recovered it — and the 49ers running back was pissed. He executed some on-field revenge in the first half, with 10 carries for 44 yards and two touchdowns. He had just 20 yards after that. See why these grades are tough? The front seven tightened up but still wasn’t great, allowing 4.3 yards per carry.
Grade: C
Passing defense
Welcome, my friends to another tale of two halves. Brock Purdy exploited the Commanders in the first two quarters, to the tune of 9.7 yards per attempt. He was using George Kittle and Mike Evans to great effect, but things toned down when Daronte Jones started blitzing more and Evans was lost to injury.
Nick Cross had a real impact on this one, as did the pass rush once it kicked up. It was, however, too little and too late to get a win for Washington.
Grade: C
Special teams
Luke McCaffrey should count his lucky stars that punt didn’t touch him, cause it sure looked like he was trying to catch the punt and bailed out way too late. Drew Stevens was just fine and Tress Way was a boss as always. No big returns gained, no big returns allowed.
Grade: B
Coaching
We don’t believe in moral victories around here. Yes, the Commanders fought back in the second half. That’s a plus for head coach Dan Quinn. The defense flipped the script in the second half with three points allowed after giving up 20 in the first. That’s a plus for defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. It’s hard to find pluses for offensive coordinator David Blough after watching the game live.
All that said, a loss is a loss. The coaching wasn’t good enough. And, are we suuuure we buy DQ’s explanation on that fourth-down disaster in the first half?
Grade: F
How would you grade the Commanders after that loss to the 49ers? Let us know in the comments below.