Key Highlights
- Staying on the field to keep Mahomes off it is crucial for the Commanders.
- The Commanders must hold their own against the Chiefs’ receivers, especially with Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice in play.
- Limited “Mahomes magic” will be key to preventing explosive plays that can turn games around.
Strategies for Commanders to Upset Kansas City
The Washington Commanders are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, with the latter boasting a potent offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. For the Commanders to upset their rivals, they need to focus on several key strategies.
Staying On-Field to Keep Mahomes Off-Side
One of the critical factors for the Commanders is to keep the Chiefs’ offense off the field as much as possible. Despite starting the season 0-2, the Chiefs have regained their form and are now a top-scoring unit. With defenses performing near the bottom in several categories, staying on the field could be the best approach.
The Commanders’ offense, led by Marcus Mariota, will play a crucial role here. However, they have struggled to maintain drives, ranking 26th in time of possession this season compared to ninth at the same point last year.
The return of wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel could help alleviate some pressure on running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The absence of these players has led to teams overcommitting to the run game, preventing consistent drives for the Commanders. With the Chiefs around league average in defending the run, there is a chance that establishing McLaurin and Samuel together can exploit this weakness.
Defending Against Explosive Receivers
The Chiefs’ receiving corps is a formidable force, featuring players like Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Despite their reduced offensive output compared to past years, these receivers have still contributed significantly to the team’s success. The Commanders’ secondary has struggled this season, as evidenced by recent games against the Dallas Cowboys where CeeDee Lamb had a 74-yard touchdown catch-and-run and George Pickens had a 44-yard reception that set up a touchdown at halftime.
Head coach Dan Quinn acknowledges the issues with his defense and promises changes are coming.
However, these adjustments will need to be effective immediately as the Chiefs’ receivers can still cause significant damage. The Commanders must prevent explosive plays by holding their own against the Chiefs’ receiving corps, as the success of the Chiefs’ offense often hinges on these big plays.
Limiting Mahomes Magic
The key to preventing the Chiefs from catching fire lies in limiting “Mahomes magic.” This refers to his ability to avoid pass rushers, roll out and scramble for explosive plays that keep drives alive. According to Pro Football Focus, Mahomes leads all quarterbacks in scramble yards with 12 runs of at least 10 yards this season. The Commanders need to close off any escape routes for Mahomes, which will be more challenging without their top pass-rusher, Dorance Armstrong, who is out for the season.
Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. emphasized that replacing Armstrong will require a mix of players stepping up to fill this gap.
Despite being one of the best teams in generating sacks this season (ranked ninth), the Commanders face their biggest test yet against Mahomes, who is still capable of making impactful plays. Closing down these opportunities could be crucial for preventing the Chiefs from turning games around with late drives.
The upcoming Monday Night Football matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Kansas City Chiefs holds significant implications for both teams. With careful strategy and strong execution, the Commanders can upset their rivals and secure a valuable win in this high-stakes game.
