The Washington Commanders are looking to end their losing streak this weekend with a home matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Here are three keys to securing the victory.
1. Force Will Levis to make poor decisions.
The Titans have spent the last two seasons trying to figure out whether Levis is a quarterback to build around the next decade. The results in that endeavor have been mixed at best, although his best stretch of the season has come in the past two weeks. However, even with the high of completing 75% of his passes in a 32-27 win over the Houston Texans, the former Kentucky signal-caller has his share of faults, particularly when it comes to turning over the football.
In the eight games that he's played this season -- he missed three weeks with a shoulder injury -- Levis has been good for at least one interception or fumble and occasionally providing defenses with both. Three of those interceptions have been returned for touchdowns, including last week, when cornerback Jimmie Ward scored on a 65-yard return. Several of his turnovers have been too difficult to climb back from, like the pick-six he threw in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears in Week 1.
For the Commanders' defense, which has emphasized creating turnovers, it should provide an ideal opportunity to impact Sunday's game. Levis has the ninth-worst offensive grade when pressured this season with five turnover worthy plays. He's also been sacked 35 times this season -- fourth-most in the NFL
So, Washington has a chance to put Levis in a precarious position and make him pay for poor mistakes. Look for them to take advantage of the Titans' right tackle spot, which has been a weak point on their offensive line with three players getting starting snaps there.
2. Finish drives in scoring position.
Don't mistake the Titans' 3-8 record as an indicator of them lacking talent. Their defense has been mostly excellent all season, allowing the second-fewest total yards per game and the least passing yards per game (starting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is also on track to return from Injured Reserve this weekend, too). Still, the unit does have its weaknesses, because for as few yards as they give up, they make up for it in touchdowns allowed.
Through 12 games, the Titans rank 27th with 26.4 points allowed per game. Some of that is the result of the Titans' turnovers -- they rank 31st with a differential of -12 -- but they've also had stretches where they are unable to contain better offenses. The Bills, for example, found their footing in the second half of their matchup with Tennessee, scoring points on their last five drives. Most of their troubles have come in the red zone, as the Titans have given up touchdowns in that area on 64.7% of opposing drives.
The Commanders have been in an offensive rut during their three-game losing streak, and much of that stems from their inability to finish drives with points. Over the last three games, only eight of their 39 drives have ended in touchdowns, which is a stark contrast from how efficient the unit was in the first nine games.
As good as the Titans' defense has been all year, there will be chances for the Commanders to sustain drives and put points on the board. They must take advantage of them.
3. Execute on special teams.
Most Washington fans don't need to be reminded how much special teams can affect an outcome after last week's game against the Dallas Cowboys, but the Commanders' special teams unit can help swing momentum in the team's favor against the Titans.
Let's start with the Titans' punt unit, which is the only group in the league to have two blocks against them this season. They have given up 578 return yards through 12 games, which is by far the most in the NFL by nearly 200 yards (the Cleveland Browns are second with 398). Just look at their 52-14 loss to the Detroit Lions as an example of how big the impact can be; Kalif Raymond had 190 return yards on five attempts, including a 90-yarder for a touchdown.
Now, let's go over to kickoff, where the Titans have given up the highest average return of 37.4 yards this season. Granted, they don't give opponents many returnable kicks, since their 13 allowed returns are among the fewest in the league, but any player whose taken out a kick against the Titans has usually found success.
Austin Ekeler, one of Washington's main kick returners, is still in the concussion protocol and likely won't return against the Titans. That leaves Jeremy McNichols, who coincidentally played for the Titans from 2020-21, as the other main option. Perhaps, assuming the Commanders return unit continues to block well, he will join Raymond -- another former Titans player -- and pick up a special teams touchdown of his own.
