The Washington Commanders are coming back to Northwest Stadium for their Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers and looking to get back in the win column. Here are three keys to the Burgundy & Gold getting a victory.
1. Keep Chuba Hubbard contained.
The Panthers have struggled in the first season of Dave Canales' tenure. There's plenty of talent at certain positions, but it's clear that they are still trying to figure out how to play efficiently together. As a result, their offense is near the bottom of the league in several categories.
Running the ball, however, is one area that they have started to grow in, mostly because of how Chuba Hubbard is playing right now behind an offensive line that is clearly the most consistent position on the team. Hubbard is third in rushing yards through six weeks, second only to Derrick Henry and Jordan Mason. He's also averaging 5.6 yards per carry despite ranking 10th with 86 carries.
Hubbard only has three runs of at least 20 yards but has been a physical force on the ground. He's eighth in the NFL with 187 yards after contact, which has helped him rank fifth in rush yards over expected production.
Hubbard and the running game should be an interesting challenge for the Commanders, who have had to find a replacement for Jonathan Allen now that the defensive tackle is done for the year. The Commanders have also struggled to defend against ground attacks, allowing 137.7 yards per game.
It's not an ideal time to lose a Pro Bowler, but it will be imperative for Washington to shut down the Panthers' running game. Doing so would make the Panthers have to rely on Andy Dalton and their receivers, and while they do have weapons, their 23rd-ranking passing game doesn't create much enthusiasm.
The Washington Commanders were back on the field for their second day of practice this week.
2. Get the running game back on track.
The Commanders have had one of the most imposing rushing offenses this season, but that was not the case against the Baltimore Ravens. Some of that was because Brian Robinson Jr. was ruled out before the game, but the Commanders also couldn't seem to get as much positive traction with their other options as they did against other opponents.
That should change against the Panthers, who are on the other end of the spectrum when it comes to containing running backs. They're giving up the third most yards per game on the ground and the most rushing touchdowns. That should create more opportunities for Robinson and the Commanders' ground attack, which leads the league in rushing scores and average 5.1 yards per carry.
It should also be a chance for Washington's offensive line to impose its will on a weakened Panthers defensive front. The Commanders are fifth in run block win rate (76%) and are anchored by an interior made up of Tyler Biadasz, who has the seventh best offensive grade for a center from Pro Football Focus, and the guard duo of Nick Allegretti and Sam Cosmi.
The Commanders' run game and its ability to control the clock is part of the reason why their offense has been so successful. If they can get back to that against the Panthers, they should look more like the dynamic unit we've been accustomed to seeing this season.
3. Keep the momentum in Washington's favor.
Last week's game against the Ravens presented the Commanders with the challenge of having to step up against a Super Bowl contender. The Panthers present a different challenge; the Burgundy & Gold are expected to win against a struggling team, and they should be able to handle their business to meet that standard.
Though the Panthers have one of the worst records in the NFL, there are ways for them to give the Commanders problems on Sunday. Aside from their running game, Dalton is also an experienced veteran who has the offense performing better than it did in the first two weeks of the season. He still has flaws, but the unit has been performing around the league average over the past three weeks. Plus, options like Xavier Legette, Dionte Johnson and Adam Thielen have talent that could present issues for the Commanders' secondary.
The Panthers' secondary is also a talented bunch led by Jaycee Horn, Xavier Woods and Michael Jackson. They are limited by the lack of a pass rush generated up front, though, which has led to them allowing the second most passing touchdowns and the fourth highest passer rating.
The point is that Washington can't give the Panthers a reason to feel like they are in the game. If the score is close, the Panthers have enough tools in certain areas where the Commanders are not as efficient to possibly steal a win on the road.
The best way for the Commanders to do that is by playing in the same consistent manner that they have maintained for the past month. If their offense can keep humming and the defense can build on their growth in previous games, it should be another routine afternoon for the Burgundy & Gold.
