"According to Brad Gagnon from The Bleacher Report, it is fairly broad and fairly typical. The analyst cited the play of the Commanders' defense as the team's biggest roadblock to success. He admits there is a degree of nitpicking involved in this analysis. Washington played well across the board last season, far exceeding expectations on its way to a conference title game. The offense was exceptional, so perhaps defense will indeed be the key to equaling or surpassing last year's performance."
"General manager Adam Peters clearly recognized that he needed to upgrade the defense this offseason. Half of the starters (plus one) are new to the team. If they play as expected, Joe Whitt Jr.'s unit should achieve better production this year. It does look promising on paper. But nothing will be known for sure until they do it on the field, beginning against the New York Giants."
"Gagnon mentioned two specific areas where Washington's defense needs to improve. They finished with just 17 takeaways last year. And they were statistically among the worst in the entire NFL against the run. A fully healthy Marshon Lattimore and exciting rookie Trey Amos should help address the takeaway issue. Having future Pro Football Hall of Famer Von Miller rushing the passer should also assist. Rapidly improving central defenders Quan Martin and Mike Sainristil should be major ball-hawks this year."
Washington's primary vulnerability entering 2025 is its defense, which must improve to match the offense's high standard and sustain playoff contention. General manager Adam Peters added six new starters (plus one) to bolster the unit, aiming for better production under coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. The team needs more turnovers—only 17 takeaways last season—and a stronger run defense after ranking among the NFL's worst against the run. Personnel additions such as Marshon Lattimore, rookie Trey Amos, Von Miller, Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise Jr., Quan Martin, and Mike Sainristil target takeaways and run-stopping, but on-field performance will determine outcomes beginning against the Giants.
Read at Riggo's Rag
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