Not to say that the Washington Commanders' running back position was a non-factor for them in 2023, but they certainly weren't the most utilized as part of an offense that ran the ball at a league-low rate of 34%.
The Commanders are just two games into the 2024 season, but so far, their running backs are much more involved -- and productive -- in one of the NFL's better performing units, thanks to the duo of Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler.
Robinson, a third-round pick from 2022, and Ekeler, who was signed in the offseason as a free agent, have been the main drivers of an offense that is 10th yards per game. Robinson ranks eighth among running backs in rushing yards, while Ekeler leads the Commanders with 99 receiving yards on seven catches.
The Commanders' offense is still trying to figure out their identity, but the combination of Robinson's power and Ekeler's quickness appears to be the foundation for a winning formula.
"They're different, but they both have unique things," said coach Dan Quinn. "Getting to know them and learn them and what they can do great has been one of the things I've really enjoyed on this early part of the season."
Robinson and Ekeler have combined for 372 yards, representing 48% of the Commanders offensive production over two games. Both players rank in the top 15 for all-purpose yards leaders, and while there is some overlap in their skill sets, the Commanders have incorporated them in ways that highlight what they do best.
After a season that saw Robinson receive 27 fewer carries compared to his rookie campaign, the third-year running back has already rushed the ball 29 times, which puts him on track for what would be a career-high 247 carries. He had 17 carries in Washington's 21-18 win over the New York Giants -- a rare occurrence for him last season, when he hit that number just four times.
"It just turned me up to keep going," Robinson said after the win. "I want more and more and more. What more can I ask for?"
The Commanders were more than willing to give Robinson chances, and he rewarded them by running with power that proved difficult for defenders to overcome. He had a career-high 133 yards against the Giants, fueled by 32- and 40-yard pickups. The latter came on a third-and-1 and looked as if Robinson would run into a wall of blue and white jerseys for no gain.
Robinson kept churning his legs, though, and broke free into the secondary to put Washington at the Giants' 21-yard line.
"I really felt Brian Robinson was a real factor in the run game today, and we know that he is, but that felt good," Quinn said.
The Commanders often turned to Robinson when facing short-yardage situations. Six of Robinson runs came in situations where the offense needed five yards or fewer, including a fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter, and four of them resulted in first downs.
"I'm thankful for the opportunities, because I was able to show them [the coaching staff] that I'm capable. Complacency doesn't live within me," Robinson said.
Robinson has the capability to operate as a pass-catcher -- he has four receptions for 52 yards -- but the Commanders have relied on Ekeler when they've needed more explosive pickups through the air. Just as he's been for most of his career, Ekeler is either at or near the top in terms of pass-catching running backs. Despite being tied for 50th in receptions at his position, he is second receiving yards and first in yards per catch.
Against the Giants, Ekeler touched the ball 11 times and accounted for 85 of the Commanders' 425 total yards for the day. Some of his best moments came in the second half; he helped the offense get inside the Giants 5-yard line, which led to a 29-yard field goal that gave Washington a 15-12 lead. In the fourth quarter, Ekeler took a pass from Jayden Daniels and turned it into a 27-yard gain that put Washington at the Giants' 6-yard line.
Ekeler has also been Daniels' most reliable target. He's caught all seven of his intended passes, making him one of just 11 running backs to do so through two games.
Robinson had a feeling he and Ekeler would be an effective tandem. "We're just figuring out how to play with each other," Robinson said, but the returns have been good so far.
"We've given guys a great idea of what we're gonna be and so much more to come," Robinson said.
Ekeler agrees with that.
"We're just playing the game how it comes to us," Ekeler said. "He's [Robinson's] a playmaker. I get on the field and it's the same thing with myself."
The duo of Robinson and Ekeler has led to Washington producing one of the league's most effective ground attacks through two games. The team is seventh in attempts (32.5), sixth in yards per game (176.5), second in rushing first downs per game (10.5), sixth in yards per attempt (5.4) and ninth in rushing play rate (52%). It's a stark contrast from an offense that was 27th in rushing yards per game a year ago and had the sixth fewest total yards on the ground.
Robinson and Ekeler won't always be the focal points of the Commanders' offense. As Daniels continues to improve, Terry McLaurin, Zach Ertz and the rest of their weapons will get more involved in the game plan. The Commanders are learning as they go, which is expected for a team that overturned half its roster in the offseason.
Until then, it doesn't hurt to have a pair of productive players in the backfield.
"B-Rob did his thing. Ek did his thing in the backfield," Daniels said. "You got guys that could take a two-yard gain, break tackles and take it 60 [yards]."
