How the tides have turned.
Or not.
I suppose they’ve saved establishment, which within the case of the Washington Commanders, with a brand new proprietor, new quarterback, new offensive coordinator and a famend sense of Dan Snyder-less delight amongst its dormant fan base, is determining whether or not they’ll end 9-8 or 8-9 this season. Why I believed this wasn’t the prophecy for this franchise is now past me, though I predicted in any other case earlier this month. Not all theories pan out. I stand by the earlier three video games for the Commanders because the Litmus check for the state of the staff. After practically beating the Eagles on the highway, who’ve regarded very good this season, Washington had three winnable video games. Profitable all of them ought to be the usual for one of many NFL’s cornerstone franchises.
Groups that had a mixed 4-11 document heading into these matchups, with the sucky Falcons representing three of these 4 wins, beat Washington in that stretch twice. A 1-2 document in three must-win video games makes a failing grade appear too good. And with that summation, Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio nonetheless being employed within the Washington D.C. space is beneficiant. Their seats are past sizzling in the event that they aren’t each given pink slips by the point you learn this. How might issues appear worse than giving Chicago its first victory in a few 12 months? It was no matter that Giants recreation was yesterday. Each groups had been horrible. The Giants didn’t need to win, they performed like crap. The Commanders simply discovered a bigger mondo duke and misplaced by default. Are you aware how a lot your poop has to stink to out-stench New York?
In fact, there’s extra blame to go round, and Eric Bieniemy’s offense scoring seven factors towards the Giants protection is unacceptable. The Commanders solely landing on Sunday got here off a muffed punt with supreme area place, the place a fourth-down conversion was wanted to proceed the drive. It’s not an excellent search for Bieniemy. By way of long-standing issues although, Bieniemy’s affect isn’t considered one of them. A drop ought to be anticipated when teaching Sam Howell and Logan Thomas as an alternative of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. And Washington’s greatest athlete on offense, Terry McLaurin, made some insane catches to maintain his staff in it.
In truth, what different coach might Washington discover that will be higher than selling Bieniemy? Give him the prospect to run his personal staff and both unlock the genius that’s been bottled up as a result of he hasn’t gotten that likelihood but, or present why he needed to make the lateral transfer from Kansas Metropolis within the first place. That’s an easy-to-understand threat for the Commanders. And what have they got to lose? They haven’t been to a convention championship recreation because the 1991 season. To switch Bieniemy, let him exit and provides an opportunity to a younger offensive prodigy. Somebody like Sean McVay was seven years in the past. If it doesn’t work, you’re no worse off than the purgatory Washington is at the moment in.
This had an opportunity to be a particular season for Washington. This had an opportunity to begin an upward pattern to take one of many league’s most dear groups and restore them to glory. And I can’t even blame anybody for considering the earlier sentence was fallacious, as a result of it’s onerous to recollect a frightening Washington staff. Was this staff ever going to do a ton of injury within the playoffs? Most likely not, however moving into the postseason persistently is how groups construct the power to win in January. And the Commanders blew that likelihood this season because of poor administration. Time for Riverboat Ron and Los Del Rio (Hey Macarena, Ay!) to go.
