There's a "Lull" but it's in the DNA!

[Stymietee]

Welp, after two straight losses albeit against teams that are now 8-2 on the season, there's a noticeable "lull" on this board and some are questioning why this has taken place. It seems to me that this football team like every other one in the NFL has what I like to call, a football DNA. Unlike biological makeup or human genetics, this DNA is learned, conditioned, and stored in memory.
When looking at Commanders' Nation there was a noticeable excitement around the teams' 7-2 start and a noticeable silence following two straight subsequent losses which I contend is in that group's historical DNA. So, how do I define the DNA that has brought on this sudden lull? Well, considering the sordid history of the franchise during the last 23 years or so, it can be best described as one of impending doom, a sense of unease that this recent bit of good fortune will soon be replaced by more of what those previous 23 years
bought them. So, Sty, you smart ass, how did we get here? Well, if you listened carefully and paid attention to them... there were two things mentioned that casually went under most individualistic radars but are at the heart of this uncomforting feeling.

1. The "rookie" QB wall (perhaps injury)
2. Questions about Kingsbury's play-calling and historical inability to adjust to opposing defenses as the season progresses.

Whatever the future holds, it's going to take time to rid Commanders Nation of its historical ghosts and begin to grow confidence in its new QB and play-caller, but it will help if both perform well against the Cowboys. That said, f this current two-game trend continues next week the historical DNA characterized by a sense of unease, impending doom, and the "lull" that some speak of here will become more palpable.

Your thoughts?

 

[j_y19]

You are correct, we have been conditioned to “expect” the other shoe to drop. Is this 2 game skid is the beginning of the truth? Personally, I don’t believe so. First, our schedule helps us get over the hump. Being honest, we must have one of the easier closing schedules of any team in the hunt. Second, I think this mini bye this week can help heal us up in key areas, most importantly at QB. Jayden has not played as well since his injury. I’m sure part of it is defenses are figuring him out, and designing schemes to counter. But Jayden also just hasn’t been himself. Hesitant to run, throwing off back foot, and a few other bad habits that have only appeared in the last few weeks.

As for Kliff, with BRob back and our OLine getting healthy, we need to lead with the running game to draw the pressure off of Jayden. We have the horses to do this. We can, and should, make the playoffs this year. Once in, anything can happen, but most importantly , we are breaking the cycle of losing and we can all hope again.

 

[Sportster 72]

Pretty much agree j_y.

There could be a lot of things at play and maybe all of those things have caused the two game losing streak:

Playing better teams
More tape on Jayden and the offense
More tape on Kliff
Injury to BRob
Injury to Jayden

We seemed to have a good scheme on defense against Philly through 3 quarters and I think the D just got worn down in the 4th.
Looking forward to Lattimore playing

I agree we have a somewhat favorable schedule down the stretch.
Dallas just looks lost and it is likely we won't see Dak at all
I am not as worried about Atlanta as I was a couple of weeks ago .... probably just jinxed us
NO is playing better
We should look good against the Titans

I am still hoping for 11 wins.

 

[Skin'EmAll]

Welp, after two straight losses albeit against teams that are now 8-2 on the season, there's a noticeable "lull" on this board and some are questioning why this has taken place. It seems to me that this football team like every other one in the NFL has what I like to call, a football DNA. Unlike biological makeup or human genetics, this DNA is learned, conditioned, and stored in memory.
When looking at Commanders' Nation there was a noticeable excitement around the teams' 7-2 start and a noticeable silence following two straight subsequent losses which I contend is in that group's historical DNA. So, how do I define the DNA that has brought on this sudden lull? Well, considering the sordid history of the franchise during the last 23 years or so, it can be best described as one of impending doom, a sense of unease that this recent bit of good fortune will soon be replaced by more of what those previous 23 years
bought them. So, Sty, you smart ass, how did we get here? Well, if you listened carefully and paid attention to them... there were two things mentioned that casually went under most individualistic radars but are at the heart of this uncomforting feeling.

1. The "rookie" QB wall (perhaps injury)
2. Questions about Kingsbury's play-calling and historical inability to adjust to opposing defenses as the season progresses.

Whatever the future holds, it's going to take time to rid Commanders Nation of its historical ghosts and begin to grow confidence in its new QB and play-caller, but it will help if both perform well against the Cowboys. That said, f this current two-game trend continues next week the historical DNA characterized by a sense of unease, impending doom, and the "lull" that some speak of here will become more palpable.

Your thoughts?

I agree. The feeling of imploding affects us or dulls our confidence. I do believe we are at point where we won't rest until we have secured our playoff spot. Its possible jayden needs to rest one more game but i have confidence that we will sweep dallas, beat the titans, and now with the way ATL is playing, we can beat them and N.O.
I no longer believe we can beat the eagles, unless several unexpected things go our way.
At this point im just focused on winning our first playoff game in centuries

 

[Stymietee]

I agree. The feeling of imploding affects us or dulls our confidence. I do believe we are at point where we won't rest until we have secured our playoff spot. Its possible jayden needs to rest one more game but i have confidence that we will sweep dallas, beat the titans, and now with the way ATL is playing, we can beat them and N.O.
I no longer believe we can beat the eagles, unless several unexpected things go our way.
At this point im just focused on winning our first playoff game in centuries

Things were too good too soon for some around Commander's Nation and learning to properly handle prosperity blinds some people. As they climbed to 7-2, I heard talk of a Superbowl and just as quickly talk of the "same old ______" (insert name) after the loss to Philly. I honestly wish that people wouldn't do that to themselves! Confidence is a tricky thing, and after so many years under Snyder, people want to believe, but you simply don't discard that much disappointment in year one under new management.

 

[Breed]

I think the rookie wall is real. I also think JD is playing at less than 100% due to his rib issues which won't totally heal till he stops playing/practicing this year. There's a part of me that wishes he'd take a couple weeks off, no practice, no playing n commit to healing 24/7 n getting 100% healthy. We all know that's not how NFL football works though.

As for KK being figured out. Sure, that's possible I guess. If he were truly figured out though. I would think his scheme wouldn't work at all or at any point in the season. As things stand now. That would imply, at least imo, that the people who have figured KK's scheme out had somehow forgot what they figured out n had to start over figuring it out again. That seems unlikely to me.

Regardless of scheme or anything else really. The game of football comes down to 2 fundamental things. If your team blocks better and tackles better than the other team. You're going to win more games than you lose. Overall team health is also a big factor as well and one could opine that's where luck or fortune, good or bad, comes into play. Having that bye week at the right time is so important. The problem is no one can know when that is. I generally prefer that it comes later in the season, but that can be too late at times. Hopefully that isn't the case this year.

I do wish KK's scheme wasn't so dependent on the QB being a ball carrier as much as it does, but it is what it is.

 

[Sportster 72]

I think the rookie wall is real. I also think JD is playing at less than 100% due to his rib issues which won't totally heal till he stops playing/practicing this year. There's a part of me that wishes he'd take a couple weeks off, no practice, no playing n commit to healing 24/7 n getting 100% healthy. We all know that's not how NFL football works though.

As for KK being figured out. Sure, that's possible I guess. If he were truly figured out though. I would think his scheme wouldn't work at all or at any point in the season. As things stand now. That would imply, at least imo, that the people who have figured KK's scheme out had somehow forgot what they figured out n had to start over figuring it out again. That seems unlikely to me.

Regardless of scheme or anything else really. The game of football comes down to 2 fundamental things. If your team blocks better and tackles better than the other team. You're going to win more games than you lose. Overall team health is also a big factor as well and one could opine that's where luck or fortune, good or bad, comes into play. Having that bye week at the right time is so important. The problem is no one can know when that is. I generally prefer that it comes later in the season, but that can be too late at times. Hopefully that isn't the case this year.

I do wish KK's scheme wasn't so dependent on the QB being a ball carrier as much as it does, but it is what it is.

Part of what made Jayden dynamic early was his ability to run. All that said he is not a big guy so he needs to get down when he runs. Otherwise the chance of injury is greater.

Team still needs to add some players but we have known that all along.

 

[Skin'EmAll]

Things were too good too soon for some around Commander's Nation and learning to properly handle prosperity blinds some people. As they climbed to 7-2, I heard talk of a Superbowl and just as quickly talk of the "same old ______" (insert name) after the loss to Philly. I honestly wish that people wouldn't do that to themselves! Confidence is a tricky thing, and after so many years under Snyder, people want to believe, but you simply don't discard that much disappointment in year one under new management.

I know for those of us who predicted a winning season, we are actually doing better than expected. I thought 10 wins was are absolute max. I didn't account for injury.
This team will be done in the 2nd round of the playoffs and thats one heck of a year in rebuilding. Hopefully we can capitalize on Dallas and NYG falling apart next year too

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I had gotten over my PTSD around win #5 or so. From that point on I put unrealistic expectations on Jayden Daniels. His level of play was not sustainable but even though I know this when he misses throws I get a bit puzzled. I won't lie, I'm nervous about the next game. If he is missing wide open receivers and looking hesitant again I'll be a bit concerned. I"m pretty convinced he is hurt more than they are letting on, there is a reason KK called such a conservative game last week. But that would imply he was more hurt in the Philly game than in the previous 2 and that makes no sense.

But I always believed defenses figure out KK, it's happened everywhere he has been. It's up to him to get that straightened out.

 

[skinsdad62]

If you have a true evaluation of this team then going 3-1 over the next 4 games is doable

JD5 injury has caused a drop off as well as playing tougher defenses .
Yes rookie wall is in play .

As for drop off I. Traffic I look at lull in action

 

[gkekoa]

If you have a true evaluation of this team then going 3-1 over the next 4 games is doable

JD5 injury has caused a drop off as well as playing tougher defenses .
Yes rookie wall is in play .

As for drop off I. Traffic I look at lull in action

The better defenses are also showing deficiencies in the OL and WRs.

 

[Skin'EmAll]

I will say Pittsburgh and Philadelphia do have a great defense. Great as in, great enough to shut down a rookie or even a 2 time MVP

 

[Stymietee]

The rookie wall is real but to me there's a question of how long that wall stays as an impediment to previous play and this is where the schedule comes into play. Generally that rookie wall hits as the season progresses and young QBs face tougher competition down the stretch. For Washington, that wall appears to have been a two-game one that has the potential to completely disappear if you look at the remaining schedule. It is also no coincidence that the two game walll came at a time when the offensive line had some issues, although the defensive efforts in this two-game stretch was pretty good, that is more an indication of a young team not playing overall complimentary ball.
As for Kingsbury, I don't buy any of that stuff about getting figured out eventhough it has happened at all of his previous stops. As @DGF said, the fundamental aspects of the game don't suddenly disappear, so, just outvof sheer curiosity I looked up the criticisms, rationale behind them and looked at what he's doing here in D.C. comparatively. Here's what I found:

Some say that other teams have criticized Kliff Kingsbury's offense for its stationary formations and alignments. For example, one criticism was that Kingsbury prefers to have his best receiver line up in the same spot instead of moving him around to create the best matchups.
Kingsbury is known for his innovative Air Raid offense, which is characterized by a high-tempo, pass-heavy approach. The goal of the offense is to spread out the defense and get the quarterback to face man-to-man coverage. Some key tools in the passing game include the shallow cross and attacking cover-2
He was previously the head coach at Texas Tech, where he modified the Air Raid offense to be more pro-oriented and that has already been seen in Washington where there's more motion in his sets. As for the question about WRs remaining in the same place game in and game out, that too has changed as demonstrated by TM who got his first catch of the game on Thursday when he was moved from his usual position to the other side where he faced the other rookie corner.
Bottom line, if you're looking for changes in Kingsbury's offensive system, you might not notice them because they've already been made.

 

[Sportster 72]

My thought is the kid is still a rookie and still learning. I don't have a problem with that, there is room for growth.