Recapping the Win Over Atlanta | Episode 58

from Washington's third straight victory. I want to talk about the defense in this one because if it was not for the defense and Kendall Fuller being able to save that game thanks to durn Payne and durn paying the season that he's having, he said it's because he was challenged to not just play hard, but to finish the plays and all the difference in the world it is having. But in this game, yeah, the way that it started wasn't very pretty. It was kind of really kind of

a ben don't break defense. Fred. I was actually anticipating this because these two teams mirror each other, run the ball and play good defense. So I knew they was going to come in and the plan to run the ball on the defense that's been shipping everybody down on defense when it comes to the run game. So I knew we had to be physical. But I have to point one man that I know, the defensive line is

getting all these little bit Jayman Davis. If we're watching the player coming to his own right now, we're watching the player sideline the sideline a once one person went down, he stepped up, I could take the load on. I think he's special right now. Yeah, absolutely, It's really great to see that young maturation only from him, but guys like Forrest, you know, Christian Holmes comes in and plays

a lot of snaps in the game. Right. Love to seeing those contributions from guys who are kind of developmental pieces. But now they have much larger roles in this defense, and I think a big contribution to their success. One of the things that coach River has always talked about is this team is relatively young, and when those young players get the experience, had to be a little bit

of patient because they're gonna make mistakes. Yeah yeah, you know, something are basic mistakes that are too costly or cost you the game. And we're starting to see them really kind of grow together as well. Washington just one of two teams to be top ten in past defense and rush defense so far. The defense is definitely keeping them in there, but we can't look past what special teams is doing as well. Logan, Yeah, I think they've been

really great. You know, obviously they missed the field goal yes or the pat yesterday, which isn't a great thing, but the coverage units have been outstanding. I think when you look at specifically the punt team, the way they've been covering kicks. The punt that Trust had yesterday in that game to just down inside the five, you knew that the defense was gonna get a three and out there, then get the get the ball back to the offense

with favorable field position. They are mberd such teams. Coaches say Fred that the that punt is the first defensive play in the series, and they play an excellent job of setting up the defense and playing an excellent job throughout the season. Love to see it most definitely. He I believe in the Trust way. I believe in the lands four games. You've noticed he's been knocked to the ground. Didn't mean they're trying to find ways to alleviate him

and take him out the game. And I know, Joyce slide, you mix stairs to point yesterday, but you know my motto, kick him and Joey slide. That's what he do. He comes back, and he makes it when you need him. I can say it is these special teams have been special. They've been very special for this team. Trust Way, you cannot say enough about him. Look, he's already made a Pro Bowl before. But the way he keeps going, you

don't have to rely too much on him. But it's okay once because you know he's gonna put you in good field position. I okay. So the offense all right, still working things out, especially from the first to the second half, but it seems like they found their identity one hundred percent found their identity. They're running the football outstanding.

I think when you look at the different schemes they've got drawn up, the third short called to Brian Robinson that goes for a twenty yard game, the jet sweep to Antonio Gibson, the way that the run game is complimenting itself. They're finding Rico's finding ways to get guys touches. I mean, this was the best running performance of at all year. And it is great to see. They're bullies. They're bullies had less time. They're bullies on the playground.

The officsive line bullies, the D line bullies, the running backs bully. They're pushing people around and them making you like it. They're playing a type of ball. They're gonna bring you in and say, you know what we're gonna play in the phone booth. You're gonna have to beat us imano imano run and look, it's only forty four rushing yards in that first half, and they said, Okay, we've got to get back to what we do best. And certainly they finished with the season high one seventy six,

so they found the key to winning. Head coach Ron Rivera reached a milestone in the Commander's victory over the Falcons. Rivera earned the one hundredth win of his head coaching career. London Fletcher and I spoke with coach post game to get his thoughts on the accomplishment. Coach, let me start off with his congratulations, you're one hundred win, seventh active

head coach to have that. Does this one mean anything more because it is one hundred, Well, now knowing that it is one hundred, it does mean a lot to me. It really does, just because there's been a lot of people that give me opportunities, and I really do appreciate the opportunities I've gotten you and Jerry Richardson and Carolina give me my chance, my first chance, mister Snyder, give me my second chance here. I've had a tremendous amount of great coaches that work for me, work with me,

and a lot of good players. So I've been very, very fortunate. And the way that this one comes down being a defensive minded coach. You mentioned before that Taylor Heineke is going to keep the job because his team is winning, but he only has to do so much because the defense is really holding you in there, Kindle Fuller to seal that victory. What does it say about this team just never giving up no matter where the

players or where the game's at. Well, I think there's a little bit of a toughness in a grit that that's about it. But you know, playing hard creates some good opportunities in and we were you know, we were down there. Guys were playing hard, they were still playing fast, and because of that, something good happens. The ball gets tipped, guy hustles, gets themselves in position, makes the interception. That's how you get you know, that's how you create your

own luck. Coach. I look at this as NFL coaches, they earn their money. Obviously during the week, coming up with the game plan and also the adjustments that you guys make, and at halftime. At halftime, you guys came out and just dominated in the running game. What was the message to you guys, Well, the biggest messages to do what we do. You know, we talked about being able to run the football as a unit, and that's

exactly what these guys have done. If you go back and look at it, Rust for one hundred and seventy six yards and b Rob at his first hundred yard game. I mean, that was huge. It's huge for the young man, but it's huge for that group because they've been working very hard. And kudos to our offensive line. And it's not only just what you did on offense after the second half, because only forty four of those rushing yards came in the first half, but it's what you did

on defense in the second half as well. What is being said to this team that they're able to really kind of make those adjustments as well and stop the opposing team. Well, one of the things that I know the defense staff came and they talked about changing the front and then change your response abilities of the quarterback and because you know, but quite honestly, Mark Smyer did

some good things against us in the first half. In the second half they made those adjustments, you know, and again it limited their opportunities, limited their impact on us. And so again kudos to our defensive staff. One of the things we talked a lot about the offensive line playing how they've been able to really do some great

things rushing with us rushing to football. I don't feel like we've talked enough about the job that the tight ends have done in the run of games, especially with the volume and the type of runs that you guys have doing are doing, you know, London, that's a group that really hasn't gotten a lot of credit this year, mostly because it must have been hurt. But they're starting around out in the shape. You're starting to see the old logan. You see him moving around catching the ball,

you see him moving around blocking. John Bates has always been a solid blocker who knew he can go out catch touchdowns, Like I'm just kidding, Kudos to John. And then we got two young guys that are you know, splitting time because one's injured, the other, one's healthy. Other one's healthy, the other one's injured, But those two guys also have a bright future here. You know, col and Armandi just have both been really good rookies for US.

Congratulations coach again. On one hundred, I already talked to Taylor Heinekey. He said he might need to get you some high tops. I appreciate that, all right, thanks, go enjoy this one, right you guys, relations man, how do how do victory? That's big time for all of your news and analysis. Be sure to tune into Command Center weeknights if I've thirty and ten pm on NBC Sports Washington. You can also stream on YouTube and Commanders dot com.