Commanders (5-5) Quick Preview Vs. The Struggling Texans
The Commanders are 5-5 but have looked like a different team since Taylor Heinicke replaced Carson Wentz at quarterback. With Wentz returning to practice after a broken finger as soon as this week, this could be Heinicke’s last chance to secure the job for the remainder of the season.
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Salute to Service
Will the Commanders Get Chase Young Back?
Commander fans haven’t seen 2020 No. Two overall picks, Chase Young on an NFL field in over a year. The 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year tore his ACL and MCL on November 14, 2021, and hasn’t played since.
That could change in the Commanders-Texans game, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Young “is expected to be activated this week to play Sunday.”
Sources: Chase Young — the former No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft who was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year — is expected to be activated this week to play Sunday in his first game since tearing his ACL and MCL in a game against the Buccaneers last November. A boost for Wash D. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2022
Best RB Duo: Gibson & Robinson Jr.?
Running back Brian Robinson Jr. being shot in an attempted car-jacking in the preseason and coming back to play in his rookie campaign is one of the most amazing stories of the 2022 NFL season. The next part of that story is that he and fellow Commander RB Antonio Gibson are quietly becoming one of the best running back tandems in the NFL.
Last week, when the Commanders upset the Philadelphia Eagles and ended their undefeated season, Robinson has 26 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown. In comparison, Gibson added 44 yards on 14 carries, a score, and three catches for 14 yards. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner’s commitment to the run and Robinson and Gibson’s performances in recent games are quickly climbing the ranks of best running back duos in the league.
With another performance like Week 10 in the Commander’s Week 11 matchup, Robinson and Gibson will be right up there with the likes of the Dallas Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, the Minnesota Vikings’ Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, the Green Bay Packers Aaron Jones and AJ Dillion, and the Cleveland Browns Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
Commanders Capitol Affiliate Dr. Squatch
Texans Continue To Struggle In Lovie Smith’s First Year Back As HC
Head coach Lovie Smith talked in detail about the leadership of one defensive player, Christian Kirksey, in comments to the media at the Texans’ Wednesday press conference. He admitted that the defense hasn’t played particularly well in every game to this point in the season but told reporters that with Kirksey in a key role in both the locker room and on the field, the unit is trending up following their loss to the New York Giants in Week Ten.
“I think defensively as a whole we haven’t played as well as we need to, and Christian [Kirksey] has been a part of that,” Smith explained. “Last couple games, I think you can see him trending in the right direction too. He’s provided great leadership. All those things you expect from a captain is exactly who he is. Just what we’re looking for defensively, not just Christian, everybody. One area is more possessions. We haven’t taken the ball away. I know it’s been documented how we play the run, and we haven’t taken the ball away. All of us are a part of that. There’s a reason why Christian leads our defense still. I think he’s been great for Christian Harris also, veteran presence that is showing him exactly how to do it.” Lovie Smith – Houston Texans
Kirksey’s mentorship of Harris is a key development that hasn’t been talked about enough by the media since the rookie’s debut a few weeks back. Harris is a hard-hitting playmaker at the linebacker position. He could become one of Houston’s most valuable assets in the future with continued tutelage by a veteran like Kirksey weekly.
Time will tell if this Texans’ defense can step up to ensure Houston another win with a shutout performance over the next eight games, but for the time being, the team is in good hands, with Kirksey overseeing the development of players on his side of the ball. Their first test is the Washington Commanders, who are coming off an epic win in primetime verse division foe Philadelphia Eagles.
Which team will get the victory? Check out these NFL Week 11 picks and predictions for the game. Tune in to watch this Sunday at 11 a.m. MST on Fox. The Commanders are a 2.5-point favorite in the game. And that’s…”The Lex Of It”