After being down 21-3 and then storming to a 35-24 lead with less than 8 minutes to play in the fourth quarter the Washington Commanders somehow nearly faced a situation where the game could be headed for overtime thanks to an improbable, pinballing of a Hail Mary pass from Russell Wilson for a 50-yard touchdown. Kevin Sheehan, who says he watched the clip over and over again, said he doesn't "really blame anybody" for the wacky final play of regulation before the failed two-point conversion.
Now Washington is 2-0 and in a three-way tie (when it comes to just records and not the weird tie-breakers) atop the NFC East.
But before getting ahead of ourselves by looking at the standings, it is time for Sheehan's – non-Sam Howell – Game Take on all the things he liked from the great win on the road. (If you're looking for Howell he can be found here.) And it starts with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's play calling.
"I thought Eric Bieniemy called a great game," Sheehan starts, adding that even when the OC was pass-heavy in the first half he had protecting Howell "from himself and the offensive line" much more in mind. The pass to set up the run was evident and so was Bieniemy's philosophy of getting the ball to the playmakers, which includes running backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson on screens in addition to the great wide receivers.
There were a few play calls Sheehan didn't like here and there – one on the goal line and one late in the first half, particularly – but "overall, it was an A day from EB."
"Brian Robinnson Jr. is on the list of things I liked," Sheehan continued for the running back who tallied 87 yards on 87 carries (4.8 average with a long of 27 yards) with two touchdowns and 42 receiving yards on two catches, with each going for 21 yards.
"So much of his running, too, is him. His power, his patience – he's become a more patient runner... he carries people after contact, he's an absolute load to tackle," Sheehan added.
The defense overall, from the forced fumble on, which was "the play of the game, clearly." They allowed 52 yards over five drives with three punts and an interception. "Dominancie, like last week, when they most needed." And a special shoutout to Daron Payne, "his personal three-and out stop to start the second half, was way paying him was the smart deicison," Sheehan said, calling him an "elite, elite player."
Payne and Jon Allen together "might be the best inside duo in the league," Sheehan said, adding that Allen – who played all but nine snaps in the win – was also immense.
Jamin Davis also made the list of things Sheehan liked because he made THE play that saved the game for Washington in the first half that turned the game.
Listen to the full segment for Sheehan's full list of things he liked, including a decision from Ron Rivera, on the audio player above.