Washington Commanders Week 18 Preview

Introduction

As we wrap up the 2023 NFL regular season, the Washington Commanders find themselves in a familiar position—navigating the ups and downs of a challenging campaign. After a disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17, we’re here to dissect our performance and stats, and take a look ahead at our Week 18 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Spoiler alert: it’s not going to be an easy ride. But hey, that’s what makes football so thrilling, right?

Power Ranking

In Week 17, our power ranking took a hit, landing at a disheartening 25th in the league with a win rate of just 40% against a median opponent. This isn’t exactly the kind of ranking you want to flaunt at a family gathering, but it’s reflective of our struggles throughout the season. As we head into our final game, we’re looking to claw our way up the rankings and end on a high note. A win against the Cowboys could do wonders for our confidence—and our ranking.

Overall Drive Efficiency

Our overall drive efficiency ranked 25th in the league, which isn’t exactly a badge of honor. While we managed to move the ball at times, our inability to sustain drives consistently has been a recurring theme this season. In comparison to Week 16, where we showed some flashes of life, our performance against the 49ers highlighted our struggles to convert key plays into points. It’s time to tighten up and find a way to keep those drives alive, especially against a formidable opponent like the Cowboys.

Defensive Drive Efficiency

On the defensive side of the ball, our drive efficiency ranked a woeful 30th overall. This means we’ve been more like a welcome mat than a brick wall, allowing opposing offenses to march down the field with relative ease. The 49ers exposed this weakness, and it’s something we must address if we hope to stand a chance against the Cowboys’ high-octane offense. With our defense needing a serious pep talk, we’re hoping to turn this ship around before the season ends.

Offensive Drive Efficiency

Our offensive drive efficiency ranked right in the middle at 16th, which is a slight silver lining in an otherwise cloudy performance. While we’ve shown some ability to move the ball, the two turnovers against the 49ers were killer. We can’t afford to give the Cowboys extra possessions; they’ll capitalize on any mistakes we make. If we can clean up our execution and maintain possession, we might just surprise some folks in our final game.

Defensive Turnover Efficiency

Unfortunately, our defensive turnover efficiency ranked dead last at 32nd. Yikes! This means we’ve been about as effective at generating turnovers as a screen door on a submarine. The inability to create turnovers has left our defense vulnerable and put additional pressure on our offense. As we prepare for the Cowboys, we need to channel our inner ball hawks and find a way to flip the script. A timely turnover could be the spark we need to ignite a victory.

Offensive Turnover Efficiency

Our offensive turnover efficiency ranked 23rd, which isn’t exactly a glowing endorsement of our ability to protect the football. Two turnovers against the 49ers didn’t help our cause, and we need to prioritize ball security against a Cowboys team that thrives on creating chaos. If we can keep the ball out of their hands, we’ll have a fighting chance. Let’s hope our offense remembers that the football is not a hot potato!

Drive Time

Our drive time ranked 11th, indicating that we’ve been relatively efficient in terms of time management on our drives. This is a double-edged sword; while it’s great to move quickly, we also need to ensure we’re maximizing our opportunities to score. Against the Cowboys, we’ll need to strike a balance between being quick and being methodical. If we can sustain drives and keep their offense off the field, we might just have a shot at pulling off an upset.

Preview For Next Week

Looking ahead to Week 18, we face the Dallas Cowboys, who are favored by 13.5 points. The simulations predict a common final score of 34-17 in favor of the Cowboys, which isn’t exactly encouraging. However, this is football, where anything can happen! We’ll need to bring our A-game, tighten up our defense, and find ways to exploit any weaknesses in the Cowboys’ game plan. It’s a tall order, but we’re ready to give it our all and finish the season on a high note.

Conclusion

As we prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys in our final game of the season, we know we have our work cut out for us. With a mix of determination, strategy, and a bit of luck, we can end this season on a positive note. Let’s rally together, Commanders fans, and hope for a performance that makes us proud. Here’s to a thrilling conclusion to the 2023 season!

Stay tuned to advancedfootballstats.com for more data-driven insights and analysis as we continue to follow the Washington Commanders' journey throughout the 2023 NFL season.