An unproductive edge-rusher, deputy cornerback, and rookie wide receiver are the under-the-radar Washington Commanders who must thrive at the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.
They are 0-2, but the Cincinnati Bengals still present a formidable challenge for the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football in Week 3. Pressuring Joe Burrow will be key at Paycor Stadium, so an unproductive edge-rusher must step up and ease the burden on defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.
Keeping Burrow's fleet of talented wide receivers quiet will be just as important. That means the Commanders need a reserve cornerback, thrust into the lineup by injury, to perform.
Cincinnati's offense is the strength, but defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's unit is tough and creative. There's an obvious flaw that one wide receiver can help Washington exploit.
Under the radar Commanders players who must contribute in Week 3
Luke McCaffrey must exploit Bengals zone coverages
The Bengals struggled to play zone against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, so the Commanders need to ask Luke McCaffrey to do more than block. He didn't make a single catch during the 21-18 victory over the New York Giants, but the third-round pick is a big body who knows how to get open between the numbers.
That's where the Bengals had trouble in Kansas City. Former NFL safety Louis Riddick broke down how they failed to "plaster" receivers in their zones. Nor did defensive backs time their breaks on the ball correctly.
These are weaknesses the Commanders and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could exploit by matching up the 6-foot-2 McCaffrey against Cincinnati's zone shells. A few early completions over the middle will help fellow rookie Jayden Daniels get settled in the pocket. Something the Commanders can't allow Burrow to experience.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. needs a big game
A big game from Dorance Armstrong Jr. is long overdue. Not only for his overall career arc but also for a Commanders' pass rush undermined by a lack of marquee talent on the edges.
Armstrong was supposed to fix the latter problem after being added in free agency alongside Clelin Ferrell and Dante Fowler Jr. It's early days, but the signs aren't promising through the opening two weeks of the campaign.
Experience playing for Washington head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. with the Dallas Cowboys meant Armstrong looked set to make an instant impact. He hasn't been winning his matchups. Through two games, the 27-year-old has registered just four pressures and a single hurry without recording a sack, according to Pro Football Reference.
His struggles have let opposing teams dedicate more blockers to subduing Allen and Payne along the interior. As Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post highlighted, the defensive tackle duo "were doubled and chipped pretty much all game" against the Giants.
Keeping their imposing tackle tandem fresh won't be easy for the Commanders. Not when edge-rusher Ferrell is struggling for consistency and Jamin Davis was a healthy scratch in Week 2.
Quinn and Whitt need Armstrong to start bringing the heat on the outside and keep Burrow boxed in the pocket. Disrupting the gifted signal-caller's rhythm will be the best way to protect an undermanned secondary.
Michael Davis must improve
Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s latest setback leaves the Commanders needing immediate and significant improvement from Michael Davis. The veteran cover man was found wanting at times against the Giants, but he will face a tougher test in Cincinnati.
All-Pro Ja'Marr Chase is the biggest threat, but the Commanders should also be wary about Andrei Iosivas after his emergence against the Chiefs. The second-year wideout caught a pair of touchdown passes last week, showcasing his ability to make contested catches, like this toe-tapper.
Since the Commanders will probably need to assign double coverage to Chase, Whitt will need Davis to handle one-on-one matchups on the outside. That will be a tall order, especially if a natural burner like Tee Higgins is good to go for Monday night.
If Higgins does see the field, Iosivas could get more work in the slot. Either way, the Commanders need a competent performance from eighth-year-pro Davis.
