At Home in London, Commanders Look to Build Momentum

I've been back and forth on the era of international games. When I was a season ticket holder, the idea that we would lose a home game was preposterous--especially since we were also paying full boat for multiple home preseason games. The league has made it clear, though, that the NFL is a global league and that is all there is to it.

And then the longest game in the history of the NFL--at the time--happened. It was a tie against the Cincinnati Bengals, and it came close to breaking me. To be fair, that was more about the seemingly endless run of bad luck at the kicker position, and less about the tailgate that started at 5 AM in my friend's backyard (where I made pancakes on a Weber grill).

But I digress...

The Commanders have been set up across the pond all week, having what looks like productive practice sessions featuring none other than Jayden Daniels. Frankie Luvu and Chig Okonkwo have made their way back into the lineup (we presume), and we have added Austin Ekeler back to the running back room. We will have to wait and see how effective each of those three players will be on Sunday, but Luvu and Chig--if healthy--will need to contribute. Who knows how much of the playbook Ekeler has learned yet, but his experience as a third down back should certainly allow him to be on the field for us this week if, for example, Rachaad White is too dinged up to give it a go.

We know that Daniels has been ruled out, so we'll see the veteran Marcus Mariota under center again, facing an Indianapolis Colts' defense that is giving up over 400 yards a game (third to last in the league). That bodes well for us, as one thing I feel confident in is Mariota's decision-making, which should help us move the chains on a regular basis.

Of course, we know that the Colts boast one of the best running backs in the league in Jonathan Taylor, and the Commanders boast the third-best rushing defense in the league. Something has to give there, and with Luvu back in the fold, I feel good about our ability to keep Taylor from beating us single-handedly--let's not forget how capable he is of doing just that.

The Colts's defense is bottom five against the run, and bottom three against the pass...though when it comes to passing defense and calling out other teams for not being so good, I should probably point out the glassiest house on the block that we currently inhabit. I'll keep those stones in the pouch for now. The Commanders offense is built around the rushing game, where we are currently 8th in the league in rushing yards per game. It seems to me that our rushing attack against the Colt's rushing defense presents the kind of advantage that makes me really scratch my head about why the Colts are favored.

On top of that, the Commanders are +2 in the turnover game, while Indy is -5...another very tangible reason the Commanders should feel better than the 3.5-point underdogs the books say they are today.

The mistake we can easily make is to sleep on Daniel Jones, Josh Downs and DeForest Buckner, all of whom are players capable of putting the Colts on top. At 6-7, 295 pounds, Buckner is a game-wrecker on the interior of the defensive line, and will likely be the reason Jacory Croskey-Merritt might have better luck outside the tackles this week. Daniel Jones might not be the same dual threat quarterback he was eight years ago, but if we give him time, he will find receivers.

Unlike last week, I do have a (possibly stupid) belief that the Commanders are the better 1-2 team. Mariota is savvy enough to guide us to points on the board and Daronte Jones is starting to get pretty comfortable dialing up defensive playcalls.

I am currently standing on my Tuesday prediction, which was a 31-23 victory for the burgundy and gold. A defensive or special teams touchdown would be nice, but limiting Jonathan Taylor on the ground and getting off the field on third downs is a worthy-enough goal for the defense.

These international games have a way of getting weird, so any way we can keep ourselves from being the reason for the weirdness would be great (ahem...cough...no missed extra points). And please...no overtime. I'm all for giving the folks across the pond a good show, but it's not in my top 1,000 priorities.

Playing internationally is great if you are able to convince the international audience you are a legit football team. Taking over four hours to fall backwards into a tie is...not going to cut it. I am excited about the chances our team has of building the kind of momentum necessary to mount a playoff run, and I think taking our show overseas might actually be good for our boys.

Like I said...I've been back and forth on it.

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