The Washington Commanders got a 24-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons despite having fewer first downs (25 to 13), fewer yards (402 to 193) on fewer plays (79 to 50), less time of possession (36:23 to 23:37), allowing more sacks (five to three) and committing more penalties (six to four). How did they get all that done without it ever seeming like the Falcons were going to win the game? Craig Hoffman explains with his No. 1 observation.
"Big plays win and lose you games," Hoffman said, noting that while the Commands on the stat sheet appeared to be the worse team on the field, they got the win, specifically in this one because of the defense being able to win the key moments of the game forcing three turnovers as the offense didn't commit any, as "is about the ability to make the plays in the big moments: third downs, fourth downs, in the red zone."
However, the No. 2 observation starts like this: "That said, they were still frustratingly bad situationally in the second half, specifically offensively and, also, the head coach."
Hoffman took exception with a few of Eric Bieniemy's playcalling sequences around the half and Ron Rivera's timeout usage when the play clock was running down against the Falcons offense and quarterback Sam Howell taking some bad sacks.
Get Hoffman's full list of observations – including Jamison Crowder returning punts, Terry McLaurin's huge impactful day getting 11 targes on 50 Washington offesnive plays – by listening on the audio player above!
