Tag: COMMANDERS
Giants end four-game losing streak after defeating Commanders
It wasn’t pretty, but in the end, the New York Giants(2-5) ended their four-game losing streak and got their first home win of the season after defeating the Washington Commanders(3-4) 14-7 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
New York’s offense has been anemic this season, but they scored their first touchdown in the second quarter on Sunday after Darren Waller’s 12-yard touchdown reception, which was his first touchdown of the season
The touchdown broke two long streaks. The Giants had not scored an offensive touchdown since Matt Breida’s eight-yard run in the third quarter in Week 3 against San Francisco; the Giants went 220 minutes and 42 seconds of game time, 14 quarters, 38 possessions, and 252 plays between offensive touchdowns.
In addition, the Giants had not thrown a touchdown pass since Jones and Isaiah Hodgins combined for an 11-yard score with 4:25 remaining in the victory at Arizona. The measurables between touchdown passes were 260 minutes and seven seconds, 17 quarters, 44 possessions, and 291 plays.
After Saquon Barkley took Tyrod Taylor’s short pass and turned it into a 32-yard touchdown, the Giants led 14-0 at halftime.
One week after they led at the end of the second quarter in Buffalo, 6-0. It was the first time the Giants held their opponent scoreless in the first half of consecutive games since 2005.
Taylor started for the injured Daniel Jones for the second straight game and was solid. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 279 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions for a passer rating of 116.9.
Following the win, Giants head coach Brian Daboll was asked if Taylor had done enough to be the team’s starter going forward.
“I would just say Tyrod had a good game this game, and he’s a true pro, and I’m glad we’ve got him,” Daboll said.
Taylor added: “That’s up to coach. Obviously, if DJ (quarterback Daniel Jones) is healthy, he’s a captain on our team, captain of our team, a leader on the offense, and I am here to support in any way that I can.”
This was Taylor’s first win as a starter since 2021, and at this stage of his career, the 13-year veteran is happy for the opportunity to play.
“It’s been fun just to be out there with the guys,” he said. “Obviously, quarterback, there is only one that can play per week. Other positions have rotations, whether a guy needs a blow or not, but just staying true to the preparation. Since I got drafted in 2011, I’ve always prepared myself week in and week out as if I was a starter. Whether that was the case or not, my attitude has never changed. It’s motivated me along the way, whether I was number two or number one, but just thankful for the opportunity. More importantly, thankful for the guys competing and playing the way that they did today and last week as well, too. Overall, it’s just fun to be out there competing.”
It appears if Jones is healthy, he’s still the guy for New York. However, with the success Taylor is having, maybe New York won’t rush Jones back.
The Giants hope to build on this win as they host the Jets next Sunday in the battle of New York City.
Notes:
-The Giants’ defense came up big on Sunday. New York sacked Sam Howell six times, including five in the first half. Dexter Lawrence tied his career high with 2.0 sacks.
-Washington’s 273 total yards were the second fewest allowed by the Giants this season.
-The 14 points were the fewest the Giants have scored in a victory since they defeated Philadelphia, 13-7, on Nov. 28, 2021.
Sirianni on Hurts: ‘I thought he played clutch’
For the fourth straight week, the Philadelphia Eagles did not play a complete game, but they got a win for the fourth consecutive week; however, it took an extra quarter to get it done.
Jake Elliott converted a 54-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 34-31 victory over the Commanders(2-2) to move to 4-0 on Sunday.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had his best game of the season. He completed 25-of-37 (67.6%) attempts for a season-high 319 yards, two touchdowns, and a 112.3 passer rating; he recorded six completions of 20-plus yards in today’s win, including 59-yard and 28-yard touchdowns to A.J. Brown in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.
Hurts was happy he had no turnovers, but the team had four field goals; Hurts wanted to score more touchdowns.
“Growing, every time I step on the field, that is my goal,” he said. “I want to get better every opportunity that I have. It’s always good to protect the ball, but we have to finish in the red zone. If we finish in the red zone today it’s a totally different game. We had multiple opportunities to do that, but that pressure builds a ton of character. When you put yourself in those positions, it’s about how you respond. That will pay dividends for us in the future.”
In the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 24, Hurts connected with Brown on a 28-yard touchdown pass, which put the Eagles up 31-24. In OT, on Philly’s first possession, Hurts led the Eagles on the game-winning drive, which ended with an Elliott field goal.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was impressed by Hurts in the fourth quarter and OT.
“I thought he played clutch,” Sirianni said. “Just clutch. I think that’s the best way to say it. Whether it was the overtime drive, whether it was the drive where we scored with about a minute plus left. We didn’t have a lot of possessions in the first half, and we needed that end-of-half drive to get going. Clutch. I think that is the best way to say it.”
According to Sirianni, this was Hurts best game of the season.
“I think it was his best game this year,” he said. I have to watch it and see everything. But I thought it was his best game this year. I thought he was clutch. And sometimes in quarterback stats and all these different things you can override anything that’s going on with a quarterback when they make plays when the play’s needed, right?”
Defensively, the Eagles struggled on Sunday. Washington moved the ball effectively down the field for most of the game. Philly will have to clean that part up going forward. Offensively, things are starting to pick up, and that unit will continue to improve.
Notes:
A.J. Brown hauled in 9 passes for 175 yards (19.4 avg.) and 2 TDs, including a season-long, 59-yard TD reception that made it a 21-17 score during the third quarter. His 175 yards marked the 2nd-most of his career (181 yards on 12/18/22 vs. Chicago).
Brown is the first Eagle to produce 175+ receiving yards and 2 TDs in a game since Jeremy Maclin on 10/26/14 at Arizona (187 yards, 2 TDs). He is the first to do so at home since Kevin Curtis on 9/23/07 vs. Detroit (221 yards, 3 TDs).
Nicholas Morrow finished the game with a career-high-tying 11 tackles (10 solo), a career-high 3.0 sacks, 3 TFLs, 3 QB hits and 1 FF. Morrow is the first Eagle to record 10+ tackles, 3.0+ sacks and 1+ FF in a game.
Jason Kelce started his 143rd consecutive regular-season game, which marks the 2nd-longest active streak among all NFL players, trailing only Atlanta’s Jake Matthews (146). Kelce’s streak is the longest by an NFL center since Casey Wiegmannfrom 2001-11 (175). It is the 2nd-longest in team history, behind Jon Runyan (144, 2000-08).
Commanders’ Rivera believes in Sam Howell
Since joining the Commanders in 2020, head coach Ron Rivera and the team have had a hard time finding a franchise quarterback. Whether it was Alex Smith, Dwayne Haskins, Taylor Heinicke, or Carson Wentz, none of those players gave Washington stability at the quarterback position.
In 2023, Washington hopes quarterback Sam Howell can lead the way for the franchise. The fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft beat out Jacoby Brissett for the job, and Rivera believes the team finally has their guy going forward.
“You know, my first three years, every year it was a conversation,” Rivera said on Wednesday about the quarterback position. “Every year, it was a point of discussion. Every year, it was, ‘Well, what are we gonna do? How are we gonna do it?’ And then trying to figure out what resources could you use. You know, do we try to trade for this guy? I mean, the amount of work that was done two years ago, I mean, you spent a lot of time because you wanna get it right, you try to get it right, and you know how important it is, especially in this league today. And I know, there was a really good stretch, especially under [Former Washington Head] Coach [Joe] Gibbs, that they were able to find that guy and have that guy available. I mean, you win three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks. Obviously, you’ve got something rolling, and we’re trying to find that, and we feel pretty comfortable, pretty good about the guy this year. We feel very strongly. I know I do going into this season that we’ve got a guy…
“I think there’s not that question mark still, you know what I’m saying? For three seasons, I’ve always felt that I had a question mark, and now it feels like, ‘Okay, this is pretty good.’ I mean, I’m pretty comfortable, pretty confident, and I look forward to seeing it. I really do. I mean, the other night seeing it was, ‘Wow, he did some really nice things, and let’s keep rolling, let’s keep growing, and hopefully it continues.’”
Howell played well against the Ravens on Monday night and showed some flashes. However, there are still questions about the second-year quarterback, which will only be answered during the regular season.
For now, there’s optimism in Washington.
Commanders’ Howell: ‘I’m always confident in my abilities just to come out here and perform’
The Washington Commanders made it official on Friday. Sam Howell will be the team’s starting quarterback for Washington’s season-opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
The second-year quarterback beat out veteran Jacoby Brissett to get the job and to lead the Commanders into the 2023 season.
Washington had a preseason game against the Browns, where Howell played fairly well, and the Commanders had joint practices with the Ravens this week. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Howell’s performance against the Ravens got him the job.
“I think after the first practice against Baltimore,” Rivera said. “That was the high watermark for me in terms of having to see him show us that he is capable of doing the things that we need him to do. You know, it was a very good day.
“There was a lot of positive things that came out of it, and blocking the tape back at the office I had at the hotel, a little room I had, I kept thinking to myself, you know, that’s what I wanted to see, that’s what I wanted to see. And so I wanted to make sure that when we got back yesterday, we had an opportunity because the players were off. I wanted to make sure we had an opportunity to talk about what we’re seeing and make sure it was the things that we needed to see, and we all agreed. So, I just feel confident enough going and comfortable enough to say that Sam’s our guy, and we really think that he’s done those things.”
Howell is appreciative of the opportunity.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity that the coaches have given me,” Howell said. “Shout out to [Head] Coach [Ron] Rivera for just believing in me and always trusting me really since I got here. I just shout out to him and all my coaches, [Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator] [Eric Bieniemy] EB, [Quarterbacks Coach] Tavita [Pritchard], [Senior Offensive Advisor/Game Management] [Ken] Zampese, [Assistant Quarterbacks/Offensive Quality Control] Luke [Del Rio], all the guys, [QB] Jacob [Brissett].”
Throughout the QB competition, the 22-year-old was confident in his ability to get the job done.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously, I’m always confident in my abilities just to come out here and perform and do well for this football team,” he said. “I think just throughout camp every single day, I’ve gotten better and more comfortable, and I feel like I’m in a really good place right now with the offense. I feel really good going out there every single day, and I feel good about my chances to go out there and execute.”
The Commanders made the right move in making the fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft the team’s starting quarterback. We know what Brissett is as a player, but we need to know what Howell can be, and the team should give him an opportunity to be the team’s franchise quarterback.
We’ll see if he gets the job done.
Bieniemy: ‘Eric Bieniemy is a tough, hard-nosed coach’
Washington Commanders assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has been known to coach players “hard” over the years; whether it’s as a running backs coach in Minnesota or as an OC in Kansas City, Bieniemy tries to get the most out of his players.
At this point, he appears to be doing the same in Washington.
On Tuesday, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera discussed Bieniemy’s intense style and how players are adjusting to it. According to Rivera, he has talked to players about how to handle Bieniemy.
“One of the biggest things is I had a number of guys come to me, and I said, hey, just go talk to him(Bieniemy),” Rivera said. “I said, understand what he’s trying to get across to you. And I think as they go and they talk, and they listen to him, it’s been enlightening for a lot of these guys. I mean, it’s a whole different approach. Again, you’re getting a different kind of player from the players back in the past, especially in light of how things are coming outta college football. So, a lot of these young guys, they do struggle with certain things, and a lot you got to take for where they’ve been. I mean, guys coming from certain programs are used to it; guys coming from other programs aren’t as much. Us as a coach, I kind of have to assimilate and get a feel for everybody.
“Eric has an approach, and it’s the way he does things, and he’s not going to change because he believes in it. [Defensive Coordinator] Jack [Del Rio] has his approach, having been a head coach, I think Jack has a tendency to try and figure guys out a little bit more as opposed to, hey, this is it, this is the way it’s going to be that type of stuff. Where Eric hasn’t had that experience yet.”
In addition, according to Rivera, some players have come to him with concerns about Bieniemy’s coaching style.
Bieniemy discussed his intensity on Tuesday.
“I’ve been coaching since I retired from football,” he said. “So, you got to understand this, with the group, I’m always going to remain the same. I’m always going to be loud, and I’m always going to be vocal. I’m always going to demand from our leaders. But on top of that, I’m watching everything. Body language, how we address in the huddle, how we’re getting up to the line of scrimmage, how we’re presenting ourselves. Those things are important because you got to send a message to the defense.
“I want our guys to clearly understand that we’re not taking anything for granted. When it’s all said and done with, do I spend time with players? Yes. You guys have been here; you see me pull players onto the side and have long discussions with them just so we are all always on the same page. Eric Bieniemy is who he is. Eric Bieniemy knows how to adapt and adjust. Eric Bieniemy is a tough, hard-nosed coach, but also understand I’m going to be their biggest and harshest critic, but I’m also their number one fan because I got their back, and I’m going to support them at all times.”
None of this matters if the Commanders’ offense balls out and they put up big numbers. However, if the offense and team struggle, you could have some problems.
Jameson Williams, four others suspended by NFL for gambling
On Friday, the NFL suspended WR Quintez Cephus and S C.J. Moore of the Detroit Lions and DE Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season.
In addition, Lions wide receivers Stanley Berryhill and former 2022 first-round pick Jameson Williams are suspended for the team’s first six regular season games of the 2023 season for violating the league’s gambling policy.
Berryhill and Williams can participate in all offseason and preseason activities, including preseason games. The suspensions will take effect at the final roster cutdown.
Cephus, Moore, and Toney may petition for reinstatement after the 2023 season.
Following the announcement of the suspensions, the Lions released Cephus and Moore.
According to the league, no evidence indicates any inside information was used or that any game was compromised.
The NFL’s gambling policy prohibits anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility.
Williams’ management team(Alliance Sports), who apologized on his behalf, said he did not bet on football; however, he placed an online bet at the team’s facility.
“Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates, and the fans and city of Detroit,” Alliance Sports said. “However, it is important to note that Jameson’s violation was not for betting on football but rather due to a technical rule regarding the actual location in which the online bet was placed — and which would otherwise be allowed by the NFL outside of the club’s facility. Jameson would never intentionally jeopardize the integrity of the game he loves so much and looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as possible.”
In 2022, Williams, who was selected 12th by the Lions in the draft, missed most of his rookie season after tearing his ACL in the National Title Game while at Alabama; he appeared in six games with the Lions last season.
The NFL is coming down hard on players for gambling. Last season, Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley, who was with Falcons at the time, was suspended for the 2022 season for betting on games during the 2021 season.
Commaners’ Rivera says team never had interest in Jackson
On Monday, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson announced on Twitter that he had requested a trade. Recently, the Ravens slapped the Non-Exclusive Franchise tag on Jackson, which allows the former MVP to negotiate with other teams.
One team that is not interested in Jackson is the Washington Commanders. On Tuesday, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was asked if the team was interested in Jackson. According to Rivera, they were not.
“No, we never did,” Rivera said at the 2023 NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix. “Honestly, we never did. It is just something that we just didn’t feel suited what we wanted to do. I know he’s a tremendous talent and a player that can impact your team. I just didn’t think, and we sat down and talked about it, that it was the direction for us as a football team.”
Rivera explained why the Commanders decided not to look into acquiring Jackson.
“I mean, again, you look at what the impact on your roster building is,” he said. “What were the assets that we would have to use to get him? What would the financial impact be? These are the things that we have to think about separate from anyone else. This is why we did what we’re doing. We were able to keep the defensive line guys that we have in place. We have a couple of other guys we have to think about on the defensive side, three guys that we feel are part of the core that we are trying to put together.
“We want to build up the offensive line. We have some dynamic playmakers. We are in a position now if you want to do something different; it may impact those dynamic playmakers, that front that you’re trying to build. We are roster building for the first time and feel really good about doing the things that we are trying to do right now.”
Rivera and the Commanders are confident that 2022 fifth-round pick QB Sam Howell or veteran Jacoby Brissett can get the job done in 2023. We’ll see if that was the right choice going forward.
NFL announces 2023 opponents for each team
The 2022 NFL regular season came to a close on Sunday. Some teams will look to the playoffs, while most teams head to the offseason and look to next season.
The league announced the opponents for all 32 teams for the 2023 season on Monday.
Below are the 2023 scheduling rotation and team-by-team opponents:
2023 SCHEDULING ROTATION BY DIVISION
AFCEAST |
Intraconference |
AFC WEST |
Interconference |
NFC EAST | |
17th game |
NFC SOUTH | |
AFCNORTH |
Intraconference |
AFC SOUTH |
Interconference |
NFC WEST | |
17th game |
NFC NORTH | |
AFCSOUTH |
Intraconference |
AFC NORTH |
Interconference |
NFC SOUTH | |
17th game |
NFC WEST | |
AFCWEST |
Intraconference |
AFC EAST |
Interconference |
NFC NORTH | |
17th game |
NFC EAST | |
NFCEAST |
Intraconference |
NFC WEST |
Interconference |
AFC EAST | |
17th game |
AFC WEST | |
NFCNORTH |
Intraconference |
NFC SOUTH |
Interconference |
AFC WEST | |
17th game |
AFC NORTH | |
NFCSOUTH |
Intraconference |
NFC NORTH |
Interconference |
AFC SOUTH | |
17th game |
AFC EAST | |
NFCWEST |
Intraconference |
NFC EAST |
Interconference |
AFC NORTH | |
17th game |
AFC SOUTH |
2023 OPPONENTS
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins
Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans
Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commander
New England Patriots
Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Jets
Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants
2023 OPPONENTS
AFC NORTH
Cincinnati Bengals
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans
Baltimore Ravens
Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks
Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans
Pittsburgh Steelers
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Cleveland Browns
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks
2023 OPPONENTS
AFC SOUTH
Jacksonville Jaguars
Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tennessee Titans
Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Indianapolis Colts
Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots
Houston Texans
Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets
2023 OPPONENTS
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs
Home: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles
Away: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Los Angeles Chargers