Indy’s QB swap poses a problem for the Commanders, who know of the potential enhance that may present a group. Ehlinger, a 2021 sixth-round decide, has but to throw his first go within the NFL, rendering the Colts’ offense as considerably of a thriller.
What will be anticipated from Sunday’s assembly at Lucas Oil Stadium? With the Commanders, something. Here’s what they want to do to guarantee a victory:
Much of what Ehlinger can and can do is unknown. What is understood, nonetheless, is he can transfer and will be harmful on the run. In his 4 seasons on the University of Texas, he ran greater than 100 instances annually and totaled 1,903 dashing yards and 33 dashing touchdowns.
Coach Ron Rivera has emphasised the necessity for his defensive ends to keep of their dashing lanes and set the sting so cellular quarterbacks aren’t given room to run. Think again to the preseason, when Casey Toohill overshot Patrick Mahomes and the quarterback rapidly stepped to the aspect to acquire one other second or two earlier than discovering his goal.
“He’s got a good feel for the game,” Rivera stated of Ehlinger. “When you watch his preseason stuff, you watch some of the stuff back from college, I went back and looked at the reports on him. This is a guy that has a good sense and feel for running the [run-pass options]. He also has a really good feel as a runner himself. So those are things that we’re all kind of looking at and trying to anticipate and figure out what’s the best way to defend against that.”
Get McLaurin the ball early and sometimes
Perhaps you heard: Sunday might be Terry McLaurin’s first NFL sport again in his hometown of Indianapolis, and he’s anticipating roughly 70 members of the family and associates to attend the sport. The second may very well be emotional for McLaurin, given his rise within the NFL. The Commanders gave him a profitable three-year contract extension within the offseason that displays his influence on the group.
But for the previous two years, the Commanders have additionally struggled to get McLaurin the ball early and make him a main goal in tight video games. Last week in opposition to the Green Bay Packers, they did — and benefited considerably. McLaurin’s competitiveness and knack for coming down with 50-50 balls has instilled confidence in lots of his quarterbacks, none extra so than Heinicke. Against the Colts, discovering methods to get McLaurin the ball and to maximize his rapport with Heinicke needs to be atop offensive coordinator Scott Turner’s to-do record.
Clean up the beginning and finishes
Washington’s offense was markedly improved final week with Heinicke at quarterback. He was sacked solely as soon as, regardless of dealing with extra strain than Wentz ever did in his six begins. But the early going in opposition to Green Bay was as sloppy as ever. Heinicke was late on a few of his throws, had a pick-six early within the second quarter and fell into quite a lot of second-and-longs. Starting quicker has been a years-long purpose for the Commanders and stays in order they put together for Indianapolis.
Finishing drives is one other situation. Washington was 1 for 4 within the crimson zone final week, costing them factors by settling for discipline objectives.
Get Gibson and Robinson in house
Antonio Gibson has taken on extra of a hybrid function this yr as each a runner and pass-catcher with the addition of rookie Brian Robinson Jr., a extra highly effective working again whose measurement and downhill model give defenses suits.
Creating a complementary and dynamic group at working again has been Rivera’s plan all alongside, and now the imaginative and prescient beginning to take form. Robinson has began the final two video games, however Gibson has been much more efficient on fewer snaps. He leads the group in dashing (273 yards) and has 170 receiving yards and one receiving landing.
“Being able to have somebody like Brian come in early and run the ball inside and be physical, it sets a tone for our offensive line,” Rivera stated. “That’s how the tandem works: You got one guy that can hammer it up inside [and] he’s going to soften a little bit and you bring a guy in that has the ability to go inside but can balance it and he bounces it a couple times [and] now it stretches the defense. You come back, you hand the ball back off to Brian going inside, and all of a sudden there’s a crease or two that wasn’t there earlier.”
Maximizing the ability units of each may very well be paramount in opposition to a Colts protection that ranks within the high 10 in complete yards, passing yards and dashing common allowed, and is anticipated to have star linebacker Shaquille Leonard again from harm.
Washington dominated out receiver Jahan Dotson (hamstring), linebacker Cole Holcomb (foot), cornerback William Jackson III (again) and tight finish Cole Turner (concussion). It listed guard Saahdiq Charles (sickness), receiver Dyami Brown (groin) and tight finish Logan Thomas (calf) as questionable.
Rivera stated the group is leaning towards beginning Trai Turner at proper guard instead of Charles. To fill in for Holcomb, the Commanders plan to use a rotation of gamers and, in accordance to Rivera, give time to Jamin Davis on the Mike, or center linebacker, spot.
The Colts dominated out Ryan (proper shoulder), defensive finish Kwity Paye (ankle) and linebacker Grant Stuard (pectoral).
Coach Frank Reich informed reporters Leonard will “be on a pitch count.”