Despite a 4-2 start, the Washington Commanders believe they have yet to display their true potential.
Their next chance to elevate their play comes Sunday against the visiting Carolina Panthers in Landover, Md.
“The focus is on us,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. “We’ve got plenty to work on. We are absolutely going to go sharpen our game as strong as we can. We’ve got a lot to sharpen.”
No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels has flourished over his first six games as Washington’s quarterback. The rookie leads the league in completion percentage (75.3 percent) and has rushed for 322 yards, second-most among all signal-callers.
“We have an excellent quarterback here,” Quinn said. “I love Jayden and what he brings to us.”
This is the second road game in a row that the Panthers will face a flourishing rookie quarterback.
No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams carved up Carolina for 304 passing yards and two touchdowns in the Chicago Bears’ 36-10 win on Oct. 6. The Panthers lost to the visiting Atlanta Falcons 38-20 last Sunday.
Carolina coach Dave Canales said he knows his team has a tall task in defending Daniels.
He said providing tight coverage in the secondary is one way to help reduce Daniels’ impact as a dual-threat QB. Daniels has six touchdown passes and four rushing scores.
“Jayden has been making plays, extending (plays),” Canales said. “His game continues to grow.”
Daniels said he expects to have Brian Robinson Jr. back in action after the running back sat out last Sunday with a knee injury.
“How he’s able to run the ball and break tackles,” Daniels said, “it’s going to be helpful to have B-Rob back.”
The Commanders are seeking their first 5-2 start since 2018. Their four-game winning streak ended with last week’s 30-23 loss at the Baltimore Ravens.
The Panthers (1-5) have lost three straight and are the only NFC team with five losses.
Carolina running back Chuba Hubbard ranks third in the league with 485 rushing yards. Andy Dalton has thrown for 896 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions on 71.4 percent passing across four starts since taking over for Bryce Young.
Quinn is in his first year with Washington, but he faced the Panthers several times in divisional play when he was with the Atlanta Falcons.
“They do a nice job with the run game (and) the play-(action) pass,” Quinn said. “The addition of Andy has leveled out some of the things there.”
Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu and safety Jeremy Chinn used to play for Carolina.
Despite their struggles, Canales said the Panthers are not looking to change their philosophy.
“We want to stay balanced as long as possible,” he said. “We have to be really disciplined in our commitment to our core.”
Carolina will try to take advantage of the absence of Washington defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who sustained a season-ending pectoral injury last Sunday.
The Commanders also placed defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (ankle) on injured reserve, and they’re waiting to learn the availability of defensive end Dorance Armstrong (ribs), who did not practice Wednesday.
Washington added defensive tackle Sheldon Day from the practice squad and free-agent defensive end Jalyn Holmes.
“It will certainly change the rotation,” Quinn said.
The Panthers are largely healing up, Canales said, but there are some uncertainties. Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who missed Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, is listed as day-to-day.
“We’ll take whatever percentage of (Clowney) that we can get, to get him out there because he certainly is a help in all phases,” Canales said.
Carolina plucked linebacker Jacoby Windmon off the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad on Tuesday.
The Commanders are 10-7 all-time against the Panthers, including a 6-3 record as the hosts.
–Field Level Media
