INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Dan Quinn believes his team is finally headed in the right direction.
After scuffling through a 2-2 start to the season that included losing his brilliant starting quarterback Jayden Daniels to a sprained knee for two games, the Washington Commanders finally looked like the team that advanced to the NFC Championship game in the LSU product’s first game back from injury – and his first time playing in Southern California as a pro.
“It means a lot,” Daniels said about playing back home. “I’ve dreamt of moments like this to play in front of my family in my hometown. Whether that was here or wherever else I was blessed enough to get drafted to.”
1. Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s big day
While Daniels was the headliner, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt announced his presence to the rest of the league with 111 rushing yards and two touchdown – the first time he topped 100 yards in his pro career. Croskey-Merritt’s lone mistake was fumbling on the opening play of the fourth quarter with Chargers defensive lineman Teair Tart recovering. However, the Commanders still kept the Chargers out of the end zone when cornerback Mike Sainristil intercepted Justin Herbert at the goal line.
[Related: Jacory Croskey-Merritt Wins Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game]
After a powerful coaching camp, Washington traded Brian Robinson to the San Francisco 49ers to open up extra enjoying time for Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round select of Arizona whose nickname is Invoice. However the win towards the Chargers was the primary time head coach Dan Quinn gave Croskey-Merritt the lion’s share of the carries.
“I could make performs when my title is known as,” Croskey-Merritt mentioned when requested what his breakout efficiency confirmed the league. “Clearly, I’ve received a whole lot of work to do. However I really feel like that is just the start, and I really feel like I’ve received much more to point out.”
Tom Brady’s LFG Participant of the Sport: Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt 🏆 Week 5 DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
2. Quentin Johnston’s fumble turns into the turning level
Down 10-0 with 8:58 within the second quarter and the Chargers driving, Johnston caught a cross over the center of Washington’s protection and turned as much as get extra yards. Nevertheless, Commanders security Quan Martin delivered an enormous hit, knocking the ball unfastened with teammate Marshon Lattimore recovering at Washington’s 26-yard line.
The Commanders turned that miscue right into a Croskey-Merritt 15-yard landing run and by no means seemed again, scoring 27 unanswered factors. Quinn known as the play the turning level.
“I felt just like the turnover was the massive shift within the recreation,” Quinn mentioned. “It was intentional for us to guarantee that we needed to come back out and play with the proper perspective, the proper boldness about how we undergo it.
“None of us had been happy with how we began final week. So, we needed to ensure it was an perspective we’d exhibit proper off the bat.”
3. Justin Herbert working for canopy
The Chargers performed with a makeshift offensive line that failed to guard their franchise quarterback.
Herbert entered Sunday’s contest being pressured a league-high 73 occasions. In opposition to the Commanders, Herbert was sacked 5 occasions and hit 9 occasions.
Los Angeles misplaced two extra offensive linemen to accidents throughout the recreation: proper deal with Trey Pipkins (knee) and proper guard Mekhi Becton (hand), together with rookie working again Omarion Hampton, who was seen leaving the locker room with a strolling boot defending an injured left ankle.
The Bolts already had beginning offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (out for the season) and Joe Alt unavailable on account of accidents and struggled to guard Herbert. Nevertheless, head coach Jim Harbaugh believes the offensive line woes are fixable.
“When issues are taking place exterior the crew’s character, we’ll give attention to these points,” Harbaugh mentioned.
4. Omarion Hampton struggles after back-to-back productive efforts
Hampton had 294 scrimmage yards during the last two video games coming into Sunday’s contest towards Washington. Nevertheless, the North Carolina product was held to simply 44 dashing yards on 12 carries and completed with one other 26 receiving yards earlier than leaving the sport with an ankle damage.
Per Subsequent Gen Stats, Hampton gained 81.8% of his dashing yards after forcing a missed deal with, the third-highest fee in a recreation this season (min. 10 carries).
With the Chargers struggling to guard Herbert, having Hampton out for an prolonged interval might additional restrict the offense.
4 ½. Keenan Allen makes historical past
Keenan Allen is the sixteenth participant in NFL historical past to surpass 1000 profession receptions.
One of many lone vibrant spots for the Chargers was the play of Allen. The 33-year-old Cal product completed with 5 catches for 58 yards, surpassing Marvin Harrison Sr. to develop into the quickest participant in NFL historical past to achieve 1,000 profession receptions.
Allen is the sixteenth participant in NFL historical past to surpass 1000 profession receptions. Allen reached the mark in profession recreation 159, eight fewer than the Corridor of Famer Harrison (167).
“It was enjoyable,” Allen mentioned about reaching the milestone. “I’m simply stacking, persevering with to attempt to be constant. Ensuring I’m there when the quarterback seems my means and making an attempt to come back down with it.”
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, overlaying the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Comply with him on X at @eric_d_williams.
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