The Washington Commanders face a crucial Week 13, standing at a challenging record of 3-8. With quarterback Jayden Daniels sidelined due to an elbow injury, the team has appointed Marcus Mariota as the starting quarterback for their upcoming match against the Denver Broncos.
Quarterback Change: Marcus Mariota Takes the Lead
Marcus Mariota steps into the spotlight as the Commanders look to turn their season around. He has shown potential this season, ranking among the top ten quarterbacks in the index three times in six appearances. His highest performance came in Week 3, where he achieved a grade of 81.2.
Special Teams Adjustments: Matt Gay is Released
In addition to the offensive shift, the Commanders are making significant changes to their special teams. They recently released kicker Matt Gay after a disappointing performance, which included converting only 68.4% of field goals and missing five attempts from over 50 yards.
Following his release, Gay quickly signed with the San Francisco 49ers. In his first two games with the 49ers, he performed flawlessly, converting four field goals and four extra points.
Jake Moody Joins the Commanders
To fill the gap left by Gay, the Commanders signed Jake Moody. Moody, a former third-round pick by the 49ers, has had a tumultuous career and previously played with the Chicago Bears, where he converted 3-of-4 field goal attempts. Over 34 games in his NFL career, he has maintained a field goal success rate of 76.1% and an impressive 98% for extra points, with a longest field goal of 57 yards.
Team Performance and Future Outlook
Washington’s offense has struggled throughout the season, averaging just 17 points per game during their current six-game losing streak. Conversely, the defense achieved a grade of 76.2 against the Miami Dolphins, marking a slight improvement.
As Week 13 progresses, there is cautious optimism that Jayden Daniels may return next week, providing much-needed support for the team.
- Marcus Mariota’s Performance: Ranked 16th among 40 qualified quarterbacks this season.
- Team Record: 3-8, hoping to end a six-game losing streak.
- Matt Gay’s Stats: 68.4% field goal conversion rate during his time with Washington.
- Jake Moody’s Achievements: 76.1% field goal success rate over 34 NFL games.
Fans and analysts are keenly awaiting Mariota’s performance and Moody’s contributions as the Commanders prepare for their tough matchup against the Broncos. The upcoming game will be crucial in determining if Washington can begin to turn their season around.
