There is a bit of symmetry to the Washington Commanders' 2024 NFL season as they head to Tampa to play the Buccanneers in the first week of the playoffs just as they did for the first week of the regular season.
And the keys for the defense remain the same as well, as the visitors hope to avoid the same fate they suffered some three months ago, a 37-20 defeat.
"I would say stop the run," rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil told Kevin Sheehan. "Stop the run, limit the shots, get the ball back to our offense."
In the first matchup, the Bucs punted on just one of their first eight possessions and held a commanding 37-14 lead, answering with touchdowns twice late in the second half when Washington came within nine.
The other big challenge will come from Tampa WR Mike Evans, who just completed his 11th straight season with over 1,000 receiving yards.
"I look forward to it," Sainristil said. "Mike Evans is gonna be a Hall of Fame receiver... his name is what it is for a reason, he's built that for himself. And I'm super excited to battle with my guys against his guys."
Evans stung the Commanders for just 61 yards on five catches but hauled in two of the four touchdowns Baker Mayfield threw. But this time, Washington will likely have veteran corner Marshon Lattimore to roam the secondary.
"Just having another elite competitor out there, a guy who is gonna fight, scratch, claw, do whatever it takes to win," Sainristil told Sheehan. "He has that dog mindset and he's been one of the better corners in this league for some time now. Just having him out there, just knowing there's another guy out there who is gonna go out there and take care of his job.
"I think that's what he brings. He brings that mindset, he brings that attitude that it's great to have him on this team and as a rookie, it's great to have him as one of my vets."
Check out the full conversation between Sheehan and the rookie – including reminiscing about Michigan's national title win a year ago this week and the advice of veteran teammates that helped him thrive and the winning culture that Dan Quinn and Adam Peters have established in Washington – on the audio player above!