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Barkley and Hurts Expose Commanders' Defensive Woes
22 Dec
Summary
- Saquon Barkley achieved a remarkable rushing feat against the Commanders.
- Jalen Hurts faced minimal pressure, a career low for him.
- Commanders' pass rush needs significant improvement in the offseason.
The Washington Commanders' defense has consistently underperformed throughout the NFL season. Despite improvements since Week 11, the unit remains among the league's worst. In a recent 29-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Commanders held a halftime lead, but a key injury to quarterback Marcus Mariota shifted the game's momentum entirely.
Following Mariota's injury, Saquon Barkley exploited the Commanders' defense for a significant rushing gain, highlighting a recurring issue. Barkley's performance marked his third game exceeding 100 rushing yards this season and continued a trend against Washington. Simultaneously, Jalen Hurts faced an uncharacteristically low pressure rate on his dropbacks, marking a career low for the Eagles' quarterback.
The Commanders' pass rush needs substantial enhancement, with edge rusher identified as a critical offseason priority for GM Adam Peters. While some defenders have shown promise, acquiring a game-changing pass rusher is essential. An improved pass rush could significantly benefit the secondary and bolster the overall defensive performance for the team.
