Skip to main content
Advertising

News | Washington Commanders - Commanders.com

Final thoughts | Quinn explains decision to go for 4th-and-11 vs. Eagles

`
`

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media on Monday following the team's 36-33 win over the Philadelphia Eagles to deliver some final thoughts before moving on to the Atlanta Falcons. Here are some highlights from his press conference.

-- As always, Quinn was first asked about the status of injured players like Andrew Wylie, Dyami Brown and Marshon Lattimore. He didn't have much to offer in terms of an update on any of those players, partly because of the difference in practice structure this week. Because Christmas falls on a Wednesday, the team will run a walkthrough on Tuesday -- normally the players' day off -- and go for a full speed practice on Thursday. Quinn will have a better idea of those players' health after that practice.

-- On Lattimore, Quinn said he could feel the cornerback's presence as he followed wide receiver A.J. Brown on Sunday. Lattimore had three pass interference calls on him, which is certainly not ideal, but Quinn liked the way he competed. "He has a real edge about him, a strength about him, and he really fits in well to how we want to play. So, I was pretty pumped to see him."

-- With Austin Ekeler still on Injured Reserve, the Commanders have placed rookie wide receiver Luke McCaffrey back to return kickoffs over the past two weeks. For the most part, McCaffrey has handled the role well; he had six returns for 184 yards on Sunday, including a 47-yarder. "I think you have to be able to kick through a couple of blocks because almost everybody's singled up. So, if one coverage player beats somebody, you have to almost be able to break a tackle and have that kind of strength to do that. And...he does."

-- As Commanders fans know, the team committed five turnovers against the Eagles, which is hardly a long-term formula for consistent success. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. was guilty of two of them -- one in the first quarter and another in the second. The next challenge for Robinson will be how to bounce back from that performance. Quinn doesn't necessarily want the running back to avoid thinking about it, because he knows Robinson cares. Instead, he wants Robinson to break down why the fumbles happened and make the necessary adjustments.

"He was clearheaded about what to do and how to take care of it. So he was mad, but I thought he did allow it to go and get onto the next one."

-- The Commanders made the gutsy decision to go for a fourth-and-11 at the end of the third quarter. Quarterback Jayden Danels made it the right decision with a 29-yard run, but Quinn acknowledged "you're pretty bold into that spot." Philadelphia's ability to close out games played a role in the decision. Had the Commanders punted the ball away, even if Tress Way had pinned the Eagles deep, it still would have given Philadelphia a chance to put together a long drive and make a comeback even more difficult.

"That's usually like a good Friday study of what it looks like at the end of the game, and it's been part of why Saquon's had the big average in the second half, and we were actually a part of that in our game at Philadelphia. So that definitely influenced my decision."

Related Content

Advertising