On Friday Head Coach Dan Quinn announced that TE Chig Okonkwo and LB Frankie Luvu are both out for Sunday’s game at the Dallas Cowboys. This seemed to always be the case, especially with Luvu who never worked on the side field this week. Each player affects their side of the differently and Washington will have to adjust. Here are three ways Washington can work around the loss of two starters against the Cowboys.
1. Antonio Williams
A way the offense can get around the loss of Chig Okonkwo is the usage of Antonio Williams in the middle field. The Cowboys will be without LB DaMarvion Overshown and will be using rookie LB Jaishawn Barham as the Mike Linebacker and green dot. Offensive Coordinator David Blough was able to attack the Eagles in the middle of the field and needs to affect the eyes of Barham. One way of doing that is having Williams attack the middle of the field. Stephon Diggs can attack the middle from the other side. Washington should be able to run the ball on Dallas more effectively than against Philly. Increase Williams workload especially over the middle.
2. Attack Dak Prescott
The in-game adjustment from Defensive Coordinator Daronte Jones when Frankie Luvu was too keep loading the front and confusing the blocking of the Eagles. With the return of Dorance Armstrong, there is one more front line rusher to affect the Cowboys pocket. Keeping up the pressure on the Cowboys offense will help that void of Luvu and the secondary. The New York Giants gave a blueprint and the Commanders just need to follow it.
3. Sonny Can’t Leave the Field
On the first touchdown drive for the Eagles last week, the one big run from Saquon Barkley and first touchdown pass both came when Styles was off the field. This can’t happen on Sunday. Styles has too much impact on the athleticism of the defense at all three levels. Making Styles the Mike will allow him to have impact all over field which allow LB Leo Chenal to play more downhill and attack the line of scrimmage, which right now suits him better.
Losing two starters is never ideal but here are a few suggestions the Commanders can use on Sunday. What ideas would you make?
