LANDOVER, Md. — So, is this all a plan?
Is the inability to break off big runs part of a calculated, playing-the-long-game approach by Cam Skattebo?
“Yeah, for sure,’’ the second-year running back said. “I think early in the year, I kind of like to punish my opponents. When game seven, eight, nine comes around, they’re not going to want to do that. That’s when you kind of just get to run past them. When they lower their shoulder and close their eyes.
“Right now, I’m just doing me. I obviously could probably make a move here and there, but sometimes it’s better for the team, beating up on the other team, lowering the shoulder. I’ve got to be better, obviously, in the run game. I could definitely make a couple different cuts a game and completely change the outcome. I’m going to continue to work on that and continue to grow.’’
Skattebo’s longest run this season is 13 yards. He has the most rushing attempts (68) of any player in the NFL without a gain of 15 or more yards.
Quinshon Judkins of the Browns is second with 59 carries without a long run. Next for the Giants, Najee Harris’ longest run is 11 yards.
The Giants are averaging 3.7 yards per rushing attempt. Quarterbacks Jaxson Dart (22 yards) and Jameis Winston (15) have the two longest gains for the Giants in the first four games.
“Yeah, I mean, we’re just not good enough yet,’’ coach John Harbaugh said. “Defenses are playing us pretty well. As we get better, we’ll probably have more longer runs. Also, if we make them pay a little more with play action, I think that’ll loosen them up a little bit, probably.’’
The Commanders are sixth in the NFL in run defense, allowing only 93.9 yards per game. They are 25th in pass defense.
The forecast of heavy rain Sunday could magnify the importance of the running game for both sides.
“Linemen, we like to run the ball,’’ guard Jon Runyan Jr. told The Post. “We’ll throw the ball if we have to, but we like to establish the run as much as we can. It makes our jobs a little bit easier, it makes it a lot more fun.’’
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers were teammates at LSU in 2022 and 2023. Both players have flashed greatness but also vulnerability, as far as debilitating injuries that kept them off the field for long stretches.
“Things have been really tough for me and him this past year and ongoing, really,’’ Nabers said. “But it’s always exciting to see your brother get back on the field after seeing a lot of things go bad. So, I’m excited to see him. I’m excited to see him go back out there and do what I know he’s capable of.’’
First-year Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is a believer in Brian Flores’ system from their time together with the Vikings.
No team in the league blitzes more than the Vikings, and Jones brought that approach to Washington.
The Commanders blitz 46 percent of the time in passing situations. Only the Vikings bring pressure more often. This might not bode well for Winston. He has the second-lowest passer rating in the NFL this season against the blitz.
