Does the Yo-Yo Stop in New York?

The Washington Commander New York Giant contest is a difficult game to pick. I want the Commanders to win, but I'm inclined to pick New York.

Because . . . I look at what the Commanders should do and ask myself "what is the likelihood they will do these things?"

I never seem to get a good answer to that question. 

They need to run the ball against the Giants BY DESIGN. As part of the Game Plan. I don't have faith they will do that. I hope I'm surprised. I have low expectations in that regard. My impression is the Giants will be grateful for the one-dimensional aspect to Washington's offense. It would be like Christmas Morning.

They'll be able to tee off on Sam Howell. Kayvon Thibodeaux may come up big.

I'd be interested to know what the receivers do in scramble drills for the Commanders. Maybe the only script they have is come back to the QB. 

Conversely, the defense needs to stop the run. They did not stop the Giants running game last year. Saquon Barkley is back. The Commanders need to muck up his running lanes. Get the Giants off the field and use the running game to keep them off. 

How likely are they to do that? If they are serious about winning, my feeling is they better run the ball and that pretty quickly. You run the ball to win in the playoffs. They're not in the playoffs? Look at the schedule. They are in the playoffs right now.

Two of the most perplexing mysteries in Washington this year: No running game and poor defensive performances.

We often heard the refrain, "the players have been in this defense for four years". They need to play like an experienced defense. They showed some knowledge in the Falcons game. Did they forget what they know this week?

They need to play different fronts and different coverages. Bring the blitz on occasion. Play smart. This means using your experienced guys. People who've been here and know the score. They're less likely to forget how to play football. They are a LOT LESS likely to forget their roles in the "system". As a result, there are less mistakes.

A little bit of George Allen goes a long way.

Part of the reason this has been a Yo-Yo team in the Rivera era is that they never seem to find and make use of what they do well, running, passing, defense, and instead focus mostly on the "sociological development" of the players. 

The effect is that they give off the impression they are a developmental league team. Stuck in Pop Warner. Practice dummies for "developed" football teams.

The reality is, for this team, the FUTURE IS NOW. Whether they know it or not.

So last week, I picked them to lose and they won. Maybe that's the way to go.

New York over Washington, 39-38.