Before Sunday’s 37-3 thrashing loss got out of hand, the Washington Commanders had an opportunity to establish their run game. Despite lead back Brian Robinson gaining 70 yards on ten carries, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy elected to pass more.
“I feel like we had success in the run game; numerous amount of times we picked up positive yards in the run game,” Robinson said after the 34-point loss (h/t Scott Abraham of ABC7 News). “I would love to stick to it as a running back. Sometimes, it’s not what’s best for the offense. With that being said, I have to control what I can control. When my number [is] called, I have to make the most of it.”
In a game in which quarterback Sam Howell got sacked nine times, a run game may have alleviated some of the protection issues. The Commanders had an opportunity to go to Robinson near the goal line in the second quarter down 10-0.
Howell passed on both first and second-goal-to-go downs. The Commanders turned to Robinson on 3rd-and-goal at the one from a shotgun formation. The Bills got to Robinson for a one-yard loss. Washington turned the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass from Howell to tight end Cole Turner on fourth down.
By halftime, the Commanders were in a 16-0 hole.
Eric Bieniemy should have leaned more on Brian Robinson in third quarter
At the start of the third quarter, the Commanders initially relied on the running backs. Robinson and Antonio Gibson netted 47 rushing yards and 10 receiving yards. Robinson’s longest run, a 23-yard gain, got Washington into Buffalo territory.
Gibson broke a 13-yard run on the very next snap. However, the promising drive ended on a Howell interception in the end zone.
The Commanders’ defense returned the favor when cornerback Kendall Fuller intercepted Bills quarterback Josh Allen on the ensuing drive. Robinson opened Washington’s next offensive possession with 19 rushing yards on the first two plays.
The drive stalled as Howell got sacked on back-to-back plays. An ineligible receiver downfield penalty on a 3rd-and-17 screen pass pushed the Commanders into an insurmountable 3rd-and-22 situation.
The game sailed out of Washington’s hands after that. Gibson fumbled on a screen pass to start the fourth quarter, and Buffalo capitalized with a touchdown. At 23-0 with just over 10 minutes to play, the Commanders were now in a pass-only situation.
Howell put a dagger in those efforts, gifting the Bills with a pick-six to Buffalo’s defensive end A.J. Espenesa, which put the game out of reach at 30-0.
The Commanders rushed for 105 yards as a team, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. That included two runs for 17 yards by Gibson and an 18-yard scramble by Howell. Bieniemy should undoubtedly note he missed the opportunity to continue leaning on the run game behind Robinson.
Commanders run game could be an aide for Sam Howell’s growing pains
Robinson has emerged as the Commanders’ most reliable running back. He produced with his chances. And before the game turned ugly, it was worth feeding him the football more to keep the Bills vaunting defense on its heels.
Robinson gives the Commanders a dynamic Bieniemy didn’t have in his five years as offensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs. Bieniemy could lose track of a run game with Patrick Mahomes behind center. Howell isn’t there yet, not with four NFL career starts.
Through three games, it’s evident that run blocking, particularly in the interior, is the strength of the Commanders’ offensive line. A great run game could aid the team’s young quarterback and struggling pass protection.
