After watching this week’s NFL action, I am left with a lot of questions. Does the NFL have a script, and who did the Washington Commanders piss off?
To start, the first nine weeks of the Commanders' schedule is a murderer’s row of opponents, including the Eagles x 2, Cowboys, Seahawks, Colts, Giants, 49ers, and Rams.
On top of a tough schedule, officiating has also been an issue. However, the team itself shares the blame, executing the fundamentals like proper alignment and assignment takes the referees out of the equation. Over the first four games, the Commanders had three touchdowns called back due to alignment and procedural penalties.
In Week 4 alone, the Commanders committed 11 penalties for 84 yards (Offense: 5 for 29 yards; Defense: 1 for 12 yards; Special Teams: 4 for 43 yards), repeatedly putting pressure on their rookie QB deep in Commander territory. While referee Alan Eck's crew threw a lot of flags, an undisciplined team will continue to make these mistakes if there is no accountability.
Looking at this from a 10,000-foot view, the responsibility falls on the players and coaches. Basic fundamentals, like keeping seven men on the line of scrimmage and ensuring everyone is set before the snap, need to be executed cleanly. Coach Quinn and his staff must instill discipline and fix these issues immediately.
Ultimately, the only group the Commanders have pissed off is the fans. While the team is more competitive than they were three years ago, the lack of discipline feels all too familiar. With the team currently 0-2 in the division and the New York Giants coming to town, securing a win this Sunday is critical for the coaching staff.
There is no script, just bad teams.
Image by Geoff Burke-Imagn
