As the Atlanta Falcons prepare to welcome the Washington Commanders to Mercedes-Benz stadium on Sunday the Falcons are still unsure of which Commanders quarterback they’ll face. It’ll either be Washington’s young star QB Jayden Daniels, who is dealing with a knee sprain, or former Falcons starting quarterback and now Commanders backup signal caller Marcus Mariota.
However, earlier today The Morning Shift explained why they think Atlanta’s defense will have to prepare for Mariota regardless of whether or not he or Daniels starts on Sunday.
“If Jayden Daniels does come back, but he’s coming off an injury the way that they utilized Marcus Mariota a week ago in the run game I would not be surprised if Mariota is still a part of this game plan. If he still comes in on like certain second downs, maybe they do bring in that extra tackle, maybe there is some kind of heavy run set or an unbalanced formation, and you are running some kind of quarterback counter off of a speed sweep action I wouldn’t be shocked about that at all.” Mike Johnson said
Instead of risking further injury to Daniels’ knee the Commanders could make sure Daniels runs less and have Mariota be that dual threat option. Now, that could make Washington’s offense a little more predictable, but if a little predictability means keeping your young franchise quarterback safe the Commanders might accept that trade.
As for the Falcons, dealing with a two-quarterback system could be an extra challenge, or as mentioned earlier seeing Marcus Mariota come in the game could tip the hand of what the Commanders are about to, but regardless of what happens the Falcons will continue to prepare for both quarterbacks, and do their best to be ready for whatever Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and the Commanders’ offense throws at them.