(09-03-2022, 11:19 PM)Big Dougy P Wrote:

(09-03-2022, 06:10 PM)MarleyJag Wrote: Hard to call an opener a must win and I won't start now but it certainly would be nice to get the season started off on a nice foot. Let's face it...if they can't beat The Commies, it's gonna be a long season

The Commanders team really isn't that bad. Chase Young being out does help a bit tho. I think this is one of those games that really comes down to the QBs. I like to think Lawrence will out play Carson Wentz but.. any given sunday.

The issue is that since 2020, I think their RB's, OL, and secondary have all gotten slowly worse. Not dramatically, but enough to where they will need good to very coaching and good to very good QB play to make up for it and contend for a playoffs even in a top/bottom heavy NFC.

I love Rivera from the attitude standpoint and every beyond the X & O's. But he is not that type of play calling/scheming coach, and the Wash Coordinators aren't scary. Sure not bad, but not gonna make an average team worry. In Carolina, he lived off having McDermott as his DC, prime Cam Newton to move the chains, and 2 good offense seasons due mainly to being exceptional turnover margins.

On top of that Wentz's biggest issue is consistency. He can have some amazing highs, but also some poor lows. I would hope the Jags defense tries to force the issue early in the game to try to get into head.

It's definitely a winnable game.

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