Having misplaced three straight after a 7-2 begin, the Washington Commanders will look to get again on monitor once they host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Underneath the steering of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels seemed sharp over the season’s first half however hasn’t led his crew to a win since Nov. 3.
In the meantime, Tennessee (3-8) is coming off a 33-27 upset of the Houston Texans that featured one in every of Will Levis’ greatest begins of the season.
Washington has misplaced to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys the previous three weeks and enters Week 13 two video games behind the NFC East-leading Eagles. After sputtering for 3 quarters towards Dallas, Washington scored 17 fourth-quarter factors in a wild 34-26 loss final week.
Daniels accomplished 25 of 38 passes for 274 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, however 86 of these yards got here on a late catch-and-run rating by Terry McLaurin.
Within the three latest losses, Daniels has a 61.5 completion share, three touchdowns, three interceptions and a 77.7 passer score whereas being sacked 10 occasions. Daniels did have his greatest dashing day since Week 1 when he gained 74 yards towards Dallas.
Till the fourth-quarter landing, McLaurin had simply 4 catches for 16 yards after making one seize for 10 yards within the loss to the Eagles.
“I wish to get the man the ball as a lot as doable,” Daniels mentioned. “Terry’s a dynamic participant, however the protection dictates the place the ball goes. So I’ve received to go on the market and do my job.”
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn desires his crew to rediscover its route.
“I wish to see this identification simply reveal itself about how we play,” Quinn mentioned. “And people issues will play out as we’re going and that is what I wish to see from the fellows — that the velocity, the hassle, the ending, and if we do these issues proper, the rating will definitely handle itself, however that is what I wish to see.”
That purpose will probably be troublesome towards a Titans protection that ranks second within the NFL behind the Eagles, giving up simply 276.4 yards per recreation.
On the opposite aspect of the ball, the Tennessee offense is bettering since Levis returned from his proper shoulder damage.
Of their first six video games, the Titans averaged 135 passing yards, with 5 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Since then, the Titans have averaged 224.3 passing yards per recreation, with 9 landing passes and 6 interceptions.
“Placing collectively some good performances on all sides of the ball, and bettering,” Levis mentioned. “Really feel like we’re placing extra constant ball on tape. However the thrilling factor is there’s nonetheless so much to get higher at, and so much to scrub as much as put us in a greater alternative to win video games.”
Operating again Tony Pollard had his greatest recreation of the season towards Houston, dashing 24 occasions for 119 yards and a landing.
“His physicality and toughness stands out,” Titans coach Brian Callahan mentioned. “He is been extremely productive.”
On the damage entrance, Tennessee cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (groin) was moved to the designated to return checklist and practiced on Wednesday for the primary time since September. Nevertheless, linebacker Luke Gifford (hamstring), edge rusher Arden Key (again), cornerback Roger McCreary (knee), receiver Calvin Ridley (ankle) and deal with Leroy Watson IV (again) didn’t observe on Wednesday.
Washington additionally received excellent news as cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) practiced for the primary time since he was acquired from the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 5, although he was restricted. Operating again Austin Ekeler (concussion) and deal with Andrew Wylie (concussion) didn’t observe on Wednesday, and operating again Brian Robinson Jr. (ankle) was restricted.
The Commanders positioned kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve with a hip damage after he missed two extra-point makes an attempt and a subject purpose try on Sunday. Zane Gonzalez changed Seibert in two video games he missed beforehand, and he could possibly be elevated from the observe squad.
–Area Degree Media