Commanders vying to ‘sharpen’ play vs. lowly Panthers

NFL: Washington Commanders at Baltimore RavensOct 13, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) loos to throws throughout the first quarter towards the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Pictures

Regardless of a 4-2 begin, the Washington Commanders consider they’ve but to show their true potential.

Their subsequent likelihood to raise their play comes Sunday towards the visiting Carolina Panthers in Landover, Md.

“The main target is on us,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn mentioned. “We have loads to work on. We’re completely going to go sharpen our sport as sturdy as we are able to. We have so much to sharpen.”

No. 2 total decide Jayden Daniels has flourished over his first six video games as Washington’s quarterback. The rookie leads the league in completion share (75.3 %) and has rushed for 322 yards, second-most amongst all signal-callers.

“We now have a superb quarterback right here,” Quinn mentioned. “I like Jayden and what he brings to us.”

That is the second highway sport in a row that the Panthers will face a flourishing rookie quarterback.

No. 1 total decide Caleb Williams carved up Carolina for 304 passing yards and two touchdowns within the Chicago Bears’ 36-10 win on Oct. 6. The Panthers misplaced to the visiting Atlanta Falcons 38-20 final Sunday.

Carolina coach Dave Canales mentioned he is aware of his crew has a tall activity in defending Daniels.

He mentioned offering tight protection within the secondary is a technique to assist cut back Daniels’ affect as a dual-threat QB. Daniels has six landing passes and 4 dashing scores.

“Jayden has been making performs, extending (performs),” Canales mentioned. “His sport continues to develop.”

Daniels mentioned he expects to have Brian Robinson Jr. again in motion after the working again sat out final Sunday with a knee harm.

“How he is in a position to run the ball and break tackles,” Daniels mentioned, “it should be useful to have B-Rob again.”

The Commanders are in search of their first 5-2 begin since 2018. Their four-game successful streak ended with final week’s 30-23 loss on the Baltimore Ravens.

The Panthers (1-5) have misplaced three straight and are the one NFC crew with 5 losses.

Carolina working again Chuba Hubbard ranks third within the league with 485 dashing yards. Andy Dalton has thrown for 896 yards with seven touchdowns and 4 interceptions on 71.4 % passing throughout 4 begins since taking up for Bryce Younger.

Quinn is in his first 12 months with Washington, however he confronted the Panthers a number of occasions in divisional play when he was with the Atlanta Falcons.

“They do a pleasant job with the run sport (and) the play-(motion) move,” Quinn mentioned. “The addition of Andy has leveled out a number of the issues there.”

Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu and security Jeremy Chinn used to play for Carolina.

Regardless of their struggles, Canales mentioned the Panthers usually are not seeking to change their philosophy.

“We wish to keep balanced so long as potential,” he mentioned. “We now have to be actually disciplined in our dedication to our core.”

Carolina will attempt to reap the benefits of the absence of Washington defensive deal with Jonathan Allen, who sustained a season-ending pectoral harm final Sunday.

The Commanders additionally positioned defensive finish Javontae Jean-Baptiste (ankle) on injured reserve, they usually’re ready to study the provision of defensive finish Dorance Armstrong (ribs), who didn’t follow Wednesday.

Washington added defensive deal with Sheldon Day from the follow squad and free-agent defensive finish Jalyn Holmes.

“It’ll definitely change the rotation,” Quinn mentioned.

The Panthers are largely therapeutic up, Canales mentioned, however there are some uncertainties. Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who missed Sunday’s sport with a shoulder harm, is listed as day-to-day.

“We’ll take no matter share of (Clowney) that we are able to get, to get him on the market as a result of he definitely is a assist in all phases,” Canales mentioned.

Carolina plucked linebacker Jacoby Windmon off the Pittsburgh Steelers’ follow squad on Tuesday.

The Commanders are 10-7 all-time towards the Panthers, together with a 6-3 document because the hosts.

–Discipline Degree Media