Commanders Look to Bounce Back Against Raiders After Primetime Setback
The Washington Commanders enter Week 3 needing a statement performance after a difficult Thursday night loss to the Green Bay Packers. A home matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders now becomes a must-win for Washington, which cannot afford to let the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning Super Bowl champions, extend their early lead in the NFC East. At 2-0, Philadelphia already looks every bit the powerhouse that lifted the Lombardi Trophy last February after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2.
Head coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels know the urgency of the moment. Washington’s defense against Green Bay, missed opportunities, lacked communication, and had costly mistakes throughout. Falling to 1-2 in a division featuring the defending champions would put the Commanders in a precarious position just three weeks into the season.
Raiders Matchup Offers Redemption Opportunity
The Raiders present a winnable challenge for Washington, but the Commanders cannot take anything for granted. Las Vegas has weapons on both sides of the ball. Daniels must deliver a sharper performance than he did against the Packers, particularly in sustaining drives.
Collectivley, Running backs Bill Croskey-Merritt and either Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Jeremy McNichols need to establish the ground game early to set up play action opportunities. The offensive line must also improve its communication and protection after struggling against Green Bay’s pass rush. Defensively, the Commanders must contain the Raiders’ explosive plays and tighten their coverage in the secondary, areas where they faltered on Thursday night. Brock Bowers must be bracketed and not allowed to feast on a Commanders defense that struggles to contain TE’s.
A strong showing against Las Vegas would not only erase some of the sting from Week 2 but also rebuild confidence as to what the Commanders aspire to be. Washington knows it must capitalize on opportunities like this to remain competitive in a sure to be tight NFC playoff race.
NFC East Pressure Mounts Early
The NFC East remains one of the toughest divisions in football, and Philadelphia’s hot start raises the stakes for Washington. The Eagles’ win over Kansas City in a Super Bowl rematch showed their ability to dominate on both sides of the ball. For the Commanders, falling two games behind this early would be a significant uphill climb, particularly with the Dallas Cowboys also lurking as an improved team within the division.
The Commanders have the talent to compete with any team in the league, but consistency will determine their fate. Quinn’s leadership and Daniels’ poise under center will be critical as they attempt to rebound. Washington’s fan base has shown unwavering support, but another loss could raise doubts about whether this roster can contend with the NFC’s elite.
The matchup with the Raiders is more than just another game on the schedule. It is a chance for the Commanders to reassert themselves as a legitimate contender and to keep pace with a surging Eagles team. A win at home would send a message across the league that Washington remains firmly in the NFC East hunt, even after a primetime setback.
Dolphins’ Defensive Struggles Mirror Joe Barry’s Troubling Past in Green Bay
When a coach with a controversial track record joins a new team, their performance is placed under immediate scrutiny. For many Green Bay Packers fans, the name Joe Barry is synonymous with a defensive philosophy that often felt frustratingly passive. The news that Barry had landed with the Miami Dolphins as their linebackers and run game coordinator was met with a sense of knowing trepidation by his former critics. Now, with the NFL season underway, the Dolphins’ defensive struggles are raising familiar questions about Barry’s impact.
While Barry is not the defensive coordinator in Miami, his influence on the linebacker corps and run defense is significant. The team’s poor performance in these areas has not gone unnoticed, and for those who followed his tenure in Green Bay, the results look eerily familiar. The Dolphins’ defense is currently facing significant challenges, and the statistics paint a troubling picture that aligns with a career-long trend for the veteran coach.
Green Bay Packers Fans Are All Too Familiar With Joe Barry
Joe Barry’s time as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 2021 to 2023 was marked by consistent fan frustration. Despite having a roster loaded with first-round talent, his defenses were often criticized for playing a soft, “bend-don’t-break” style that allowed opposing offenses to dictate the terms of engagement. The scheme frequently gave up easy completions underneath and struggled to get off the field on third down, leading to long, sustained drives that wore down the defense.
This approach was particularly maddening for a fanbase that saw Pro Bowl talent at every level of the defense. The disconnect between the talent on the field and the results on the scoreboard ultimately led to his departure from Green Bay. His defenses, while occasionally posting respectable total yardage numbers, often failed to make critical stops in key moments. This history has created a narrative that follows him, one where his units look good on paper but fail to play with the aggressive, game-changing style that modern NFL defenses require.
The Dolphins’ Defensive Woes in 2025
The Miami Dolphins brought in a new defensive staff to elevate a unit that has its own share of high-end talent. However, the early returns have been alarming. Through the first part of the season, the Dolphins’ defense ranks among the worst in the league in several critical categories, particularly in the areas under Barry’s purview.
According to the latest NFL defensive rankings from Fox Sports, the numbers are stark:
- Total Defense: The Dolphins are ranked 29th, allowing an average of 418 yards per game.
- Scoring Defense:They are also 29th in points allowed, surrendering 33 points per game.
- Rushing Defense: The run defense, a key responsibility for Barry, is ranked 27th, giving up 156 yards per game.
These statistics are not just numbers on a page; they represent a fundamental inability to stop opposing teams. The struggles in the run game are particularly concerning, as a weak run defense puts immense pressure on the secondary and makes it difficult to control the clock. For a team with championship aspirations like the Dolphins, having a defense that is consistently on its heels is an unsustainable formula for success. The high number of yards and points allowed suggests a systemic issue, and it’s a pattern that closely mirrors the criticisms leveled against Barry’s units in the past.
Is History Repeating Itself?
While it is unfair to place all of the blame on one position coach, Barry’s role as the run game coordinator makes the team’s struggles in that area impossible to ignore. His career has been marked by stops where his defenses have underachieved relative to their talent level. His first defensive coordinator stint with the Detroit Lions in 2007-08 was a disaster, and his time in Washington from 2015-16 produced similarly uninspiring results.
The recurring theme is a defensive philosophy that appears to prioritize preventing the big play over aggressively attacking the offense. This often results in allowing opponents to methodically move the ball down the field, controlling possession and wearing down the defense. In Miami, we are seeing this play out again. The defense is not just giving up yards; it is failing to create negative plays or force turnovers at a rate needed to win consistently.
For the Dolphins, the hope was that a new coaching staff could unlock the potential of a talented group. Instead, the early season struggles have brought a familiar sense of disappointment. Joe Barry’s presence on the staff, combined with the team’s porous run defense and overall poor statistical rankings, suggests that a change in scenery has not necessarily led to a change in results. The pressure is mounting in Miami, and the defensive coaching staff, including Barry, will need to find answers quickly before the season slips away.
