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ABC7's Scott Abraham joins the Junkies to break down the exact game plan Washington needs to neutralize LA’s high-flying offense and grind out a win.

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Transcript
00:00I don't know how often you're in the locker room,
00:01but when you're around the guys,
00:02do you feel like the sense is that there's still a lot to play for
00:07or are guys a little bit more muted?
00:10No, there's still an engagement there of like, you know,
00:14they lost some games where they thought they should have won,
00:17self-inflicted mistakes, self-inflicted errors, pre-snap penalties.
00:22They believe these losses are on them
00:24and these are all correctable mistakes
00:26and they feel like there's still a lot of football left.
00:30That there's the messaging from the coaching staff, the players,
00:33they're all on the same page.
00:34There's no, you know, tanking.
00:37There's no one phoning it in.
00:39There's nobody turning their backs on the coaching staff to my conversation.
00:43So all systems go.
00:45I mean, they got another home game.
00:47I mean, I know it's hard to fathom, but this team is undefeated at home.
00:50They haven't lost at home yet this year.
00:52So they're hoping the West Coast trip,
00:55obviously from a West Coast team to a 1 o'clock Eastern start
00:59and having the home crowd, maybe they can get off to a better start
01:02because that's something that you have to work on
01:05when you look at the San Francisco game and the Eagles game,
01:08the slow starts offensively.
01:10They've really kind of trudged along and kind of a slog offensively
01:15those early portions of the game.
01:16So they want to get quicker starts, obviously, Matt.
01:20Go ahead.
01:21So you get the feeling when you're talking to the guys
01:22that they still feel they can win this division.
01:25Yes, absolutely.
01:27Correct.
01:28There's a lot of belief and confidence that the division is there for the taking.
01:34There's nobody that feels like it's out of reach.
01:37A couple of games here, a couple of games there.
01:39Maybe they get some help by the Eagles beating the Giants this week
01:42and it totally flips on its head again.
01:45So they feel like they're still in the mix, guys.
01:49Scott, how much concern that no Deron Payne, no Ken Law on the D-line?
01:53We know the Rams have kind of changed the way they've played in the last month
01:57with the two-pronged rushing attack of Williams and Coram that are coming in here.
02:02Do we have enough bodies to slow down this rushing attack
02:05the Rams are going to bring in here?
02:06That's certainly a layer to this game that is going to be interesting to watch
02:11because the depth is going to be tested on this D-line.
02:14Of course, you mentioned no Ken Law, no Payne, huge losses.
02:18I mean, they're just such foundational pieces on the inside.
02:21But you bring in a Tim Suttle and a Shai Tuttle.
02:25Dietrich Wise is going to have to help out in the run game.
02:27Johnny Newton's probably on his way back.
02:29So at least you're getting Johnny Newton back.
02:32That could be a little bit of a boost.
02:34But you're right about Sean McVay is a guy in the lab, a mastermind, offensive guru.
02:40You know without Devontae Adams, they're going to be leaning a little bit more
02:43in this running game.
02:44Of course, you have poop out there.
02:45But they've got a really good backfield in Kyron Williams, Blake Corham,
02:49a little homecoming from Blake.
02:50I believe he grew up in Fauquier County, Virginia.
02:53So he's kind of a local kid.
02:55So this is going to be a game where you know McVay is going to test that interior
03:00of the D-line.
03:01And it's up to Washington to slow them down and try to do the best they can
03:06against the run.
03:07They did a good job against the Eagles.
03:08Let's see if they can do it against kind of up that weight class with McVay
03:12in the running game.
03:13So Stafford, when he wants to go to Puka, gets it to him.
03:17All the time.
03:18All the time, right?
03:19I mean, he's probably in this game, I'm guessing he's going to have 12 to 15
03:22targets.
03:24I mean, yeah.
03:25And if he has 15 targets, he's going to catch 11 of them.
03:29So how do you kind of rein him in?
03:32It's a great question.
03:33I asked that to Revo.
03:35I asked that to Trey Amos.
03:37And it's all about, you know, they mentioned communication.
03:40Communication, you've got to over-communicate.
03:41It's not going to be just one guy on Puka because, you know, McVay, he loves to move
03:46Puka around all over the place.
03:48And listening to Durante Jones yesterday, he's not necessarily going to have somebody on the
03:53move constantly trying to follow him or shadow him because sometimes Puka runs his routes
03:58right through the line of scrimmage up the middle and they just move him all over the
04:02place.
04:03So people are just going to have to communicate, whether it's linebackers and the secondary
04:09and do the best they can.
04:10They did a nice job with JSN for maybe three quarters and then he kind of got going in the
04:15fourth quarter.
04:16But you're right.
04:17Puka is going to get his and you just got to hope that you kind of deflect the damage
04:22and make sure he doesn't go nuclear in a sense of like 15 catches for 250 and two
04:27touchdowns.
04:28You don't want that because you're not going to win the football game.
04:31So communication and obviously you're happy you have Trey Amos back.
04:36He's starting to play better.
04:38Russell Douglas has been pretty good.
04:40They just got to be all on the same page, guys, because Puka is going to be all over
04:43the place.
04:44By the way, speaking of receivers on the commander side, how concerned are we about
04:48trailing Burke's foot issue heading into this weekend?
04:52Concerning, especially with listening to AP on your wonderful program just a half hour
04:58ago and De'Ami Brown, he's he's he's he's certain that doesn't look good according to
05:03AP.
05:04So that means a little bit more emphasis on, hey, trailing Burke's missed the last two
05:08practices.
05:09What's he going to look like today?
05:10Is he going to get a limited session or is he going to be out again?
05:13So we'll know more probably today.
05:15Dan Quinn will speak.
05:16So you hope Trelon is up.
05:19If not, then the depth once again will be tested because you got Antonio Williams, Stephon
05:23Diggs.
05:23And then what do you get Luke McCaffrey?
05:25And do you get a Van Jefferson and Van Jefferson going up against his former team, the Rams that
05:29he won a Super Bowl with.
05:30So that's something to look at if Trelon can't go because obviously De'Ami looks like he's
05:35going to be on the outs.
05:37And don't forget on the opposite side of that ball, you're going to have a little reunion
05:40because you got Cam Curl and maybe the return of Emmanuel Forbes as well.
05:44So a little game within the game there with Forbes and Cam Curl back there in the secondary
05:49with the Rams.
05:50I don't know if you talked to Blau or DQ or anything about this topic, but we talked about
05:55it a couple of times this week.
05:57Some of these, you know, these former quarterbacks who kind of criticize Jaden when they watch
06:02him on film that he's not taking chances downfield or he's missing guys downfield.
06:08And, you know, I think Aikman was one of those guys.
06:11Kurt Warner was one of those guys.
06:12Dan Orlovsky said that he should actually put the ball in harm's way.
06:17I don't like how that's worded.
06:18It doesn't sound too good.
06:20But, you know, they're criticizing the fact that he's not taking chances and maybe missing
06:24some guys.
06:24Is that something you talked to Blau about?
06:27I mean, do they have any insight on that at all?
06:29Is that accurate?
06:30And I think from their perspective, Blau and Quinn, would you like the other side of the
06:37coin of, OK, so you take your chances, you try to really push the ball down the field,
06:42then you're going to get maybe some turnovers or interceptions or issues in that regard.
06:48So I think they appreciate the fact that there's really an emphasis on ball security and being
06:54smart with the football rather than take unnecessary risks or chances.
07:00So I think, you know, and I know AP said that to you guys today as well, that they're comfortable
07:05with what they've been seeing from Jaden in terms of picking his spots.
07:09He hit a couple of great deep balls against the Eagles, one specifically to Traylon Burks.
07:14So I think for the most part, they're happy with the ball security because they're winning
07:18the turnover margin in these games and in this season.
07:21I know the record maybe doesn't reflect that, but I think they're happy with the ball security
07:26and kind of having Jaden pick his spots.
07:29This could be a critical week.
07:32You know, obviously the commanders have to win, but let's just say they beat the Rams and
07:36then one of the two teams ahead of them lose, especially if the Giants lose to Philly.
07:41It's going to be a tall task because Philly's going to start Joe Milton, but it's a home
07:45game for the Eagles, so who knows, right?
07:47It could be a critical week if the commanders could pull off this win and then the Giants
07:52lose and then, you know, so you're one game back because then, of course, you know, they
07:57play the Giants next Thursday.
07:59It could be a huge week if they beat the Rams.
08:02Bish, that's exactly why there's belief.
08:06There's hope in that locker room because there's a lot of football left.
08:10A game here, a game there that doesn't go against the conventional wisdom can flip this
08:16division upside down, so you're right.
08:18If they somehow, someway beat the Rams, somehow, someway the Giants coming off a bye lose on
08:23the road in Philly, which very easily can happen.
08:26Anybody can beat anybody in this division.
08:28Then it's a brand new ball game going on Thursday night on the road against the Giants, so there's
08:34a path here, guys.
08:36Can they thread that needle?
08:38I don't know, but there's an opportunity.
08:41Scott, are we going to see double-digit targets for Antonio Williams this weekend?
08:46With McLaurin out this week, he led Washington's wideouts in snaps and routes.
08:52Saw seven targets last week.
08:54Do we get an uptick this week against the Rams, and what could be a high-scoring game?
08:58I mean, I think you've got to.
08:59I mean, the dude is always open.
09:01His separation, his route running, he's been so good this year.
09:06And when he's given the opportunity, he produces.
09:09So you've got to believe Blau and this offensive coaching staff are going to try to get him
09:15more involved, especially if Traylon can't go.
09:18So I would not be surprised if he's near the 8-10 target range against the Rams because he's
09:25just producing every time he catches the football.
09:28And I spoke with Antonio about being on the same page of Jaden and building that rapport
09:34and growth.
09:35And he described how trust is earned and how he has to be in the right spot for Jaden.
09:41And when he gets that opportunity, he has to make sure that he produces.
09:45And so far, it's going really well.
09:48So I think it's just the smart aspect of just, okay, you've got a guy that's producing every
09:54opportunity he gets.
09:55He's getting open.
09:56And let's see if we can get him more involved throughout the course of the game.
10:00I think it's a no-brainer.
10:02Time of possession, huge in this game.
10:04I was reading that the Rams are, I think they're ninth in the league in time of possession.
10:08Washington's a little bit further down.
10:11But they've got to win the time of possession.
10:13Also, another matchup is since Adams is out, they're starting to throw to Kyron Williams out
10:19of the backfield a little bit more.
10:21So Kyron Williams coming out of the backfield and Sonny Stiles kind of eyeing him is going
10:27to be a big matchup too.
10:28So time of possession is going to be huge for this game.
10:32Getting after Stafford, maybe forcing him a couple turnovers.
10:35But I think time of possession will be huge.
10:37I think Jaden just has to run a little bit more.
10:39What do you think about that?
10:40I think you don't want to get into a shootout with the Rams, especially with their offensive
10:47weaponry.
10:48I would love to see Washington somehow, some way, develop some sort of a running game with
10:54their running backs.
10:55I know they're kind of thin back there.
10:58You have a Rashad White.
10:59You don't necessarily want Jaden being Superman and having those design runs.
11:05I think that's another position of, you know, if he's feeling the rush and the pocket collapsing
11:11and they're in man coverage, maybe you see him take off and use his legs.
11:17But I think it's going to be about really, you want to muddy up this game a little bit.
11:23You want to kind of get this to be a dirty game in the trenches.
11:26And I think that starts with trying to develop this run game.
11:30You mentioned the time of possession.
11:32Let's see if they can get in those short third downs, the third and twos, the third and
11:36threes.
11:37I think that's an important aspect of really trying to get this running game going because
11:41you don't want Stafford going nuts to puka and trying to slow them down if they're kind
11:47of rolling and getting into a rhythm.
11:49So, and you mentioned getting Stafford off his spot.
11:52I mean, he's a veteran quarterback.
11:53We talked to Owe.
11:54We talked to Caleb on chase on.
11:56He's an MVP for a reason, Stafford, and he's seen everything in the NFL.
12:01You're not going to surprise Matthew Stafford with any disguises or blitzes.
12:06So somehow you have to get him uncomfortable and get home, get pressure with four.
12:12Don't blitz him necessarily just to blitz him because he'll pick you apart.
12:16So you've got to be smart and calculated when going up against a Matthew Stafford.
12:20Scott, do you imagine any moves from AP after the game?
12:26He said it wasn't going to matter if they won or lost, whether or not they make a move.
12:30It's only going to be if it makes sense sort of in the long term.
12:34I don't think they're going to give up any draft.
12:35I honestly don't think they're going to make any moves.
12:38I just don't.
12:39I don't see, like, draft capital is such a premium, especially with this upcoming draft,
12:44guys.
12:45Like, again, AP's got to be smart.
12:48And I just, I don't think he's going to make a move just to make a move.
12:53Maybe, I know he says, you know, win or loss, it doesn't matter.
12:57But I think if they do somehow beat the Rams guys, it definitely changed the complexion in my eyes.
13:03Maybe they go in the market for a receiver, like a Josh Downs from Indy or somebody, if they win.
13:12Do they need Downs?
13:12I don't think it makes sense if they lose.
13:14Go ahead.
13:15Do you think they need another receiver?
13:17I think it would help.
13:18I mean, it doesn't hurt, right?
13:20I mean, you have a Diggs.
13:22You have a Traylon Burks, who's in and out of the lineup sometimes, injury-prone.
13:27You have an Antonio Williams.
13:29So, no Terry McLaurin.
13:31I don't think it would hurt.
13:32But obviously, they have a lot of, you know, needs per se.
13:36I mean, they could need a running back.
13:38I could see that more than receiver, honestly.
13:40So, but I'm kind of in the camp of don't make a move just to make a move, especially where
13:47the record is right now.
13:49But if they do, I love AP, and sometimes I don't believe him.
13:55But I do feel like if they do beat the Rams, maybe he's more inclined to make a move, knowing
14:00the Giants are coming up on Thursday night.
14:02All right, Scotty.
14:03What's your prediction, bro?
14:06Give me, I think it's a hard-fought game.
14:08I think it could be a little muddied-up, dirty game, what I think they should do.
14:15I think it'll be close, but I think the Rams walk away, give me 27-23 Rams win.
14:2127-23.
14:23All right, that would hurt.
14:24And it's interesting, the numbers moved, by the way.
14:26I don't know if you saw that, the spread.
14:27I think it was at plus six.
14:28I think it's down to four and a half.
14:29So that's something interesting as well.
14:32Okay.
14:32All right, thanks, Scott.
14:33Appreciate the time, man.
14:34Have a good week.

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