Can Carson Wentz Lead The Commanders To The Playoffs?

The Washington Commanders are going into 2022 with Carson Wentz as their quarterback.

While the team drafted a quarterback in the fifth round, he shouldn’t see action unless Wentz is injured.

However, the best player they drafted came in the first round when they drafted Jahan Dotson.

The move to draft him gives their quarterback an added weapon on offense to use.

But they didn’t address the loss of guard Brandon Scherff until the seventh round.

So while Wentz got one weapon, but not a proven pass protector, can he lead the Commanders to the playoffs?

Commanders Schedule Could Help Wentz In Playoff Chances

Of the 17 games the Commanders will play in the 2022 NFL season, only eight games are against teams above .500 in 2021.

The Commanders have the easiest 2022 strength of schedule #takecommand🫡 pic.twitter.com/2m1s5xThl9

— Wizskins (@Itswizskins) April 4, 2022

Only five teams were playoff teams in 2021, meaning the schedule isn’t too difficult for Washington.

However, they can find hope in games against the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers.

The Packers are without Davante Adams in 2022, their top receiver last season.

Without him, and the Packers history of struggling against excellent defenses, the Commanders have a chance.

Their defense was a top-rated defense before and they could repeat it again.

The game against the 49ers might work for them if the Deebo Samuel saga in San Francisco isn’t resolved.

These things could give the Commanders hope for a playoff push.

Current And New Weapons Could Give Wentz Just The Edge He Needs

Terry McLaurin and Dotson are the two chief weapons in the passing game for Wentz in 2022.

While McLaurin saw a slight decline in his numbers in 2021, his new quarterback might help him improve.

He accrued 3,090 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns over three seasons with Washington.

#Commanders Terry McLaurin stats:
47 games
222 receptions
3090 yards
16 TDs
62.1% catch rate
8 QBs played with

Terry is better

— Bennett C (@itzbnut) April 5, 2022

If Wentz gives him opportunities to catch the ball, he could have a breakout season this year.

However, he needs to work on his catch-to-target rate from 2021.

Dotson comes to Washington after having 1,182 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns with Penn State in 2021.

That now means the Commanders have a pair of 1,000-yard receivers for Wentz to use each game.

They also have Antonio Gibson in the backfield.

The running back gives Wentz someone to keep pressure off himself.

Gibson rushed for over a 1,000 yards in 2021 and seven touchdowns.

With production like that, Washington’s chances of sneaking into the playoffs increases.

Could Washington’s Defensive Secondary Hurt Wentz?

The Commanders finished 2021 as a top ten run-stopping defense.

However, their secondary was some of the worst in 2021.

They ranked 29th against the pass, allowing 4,333 passing yards.

The Commanders also ranked 32nd in passing touchdowns allowed with 34.

While they addressed defensive secondary issues in the 2022 NFL Draft, the results might not be immediately felt.

As well as their defensive front four are, they can’t win games against teams giving up so many passing yards and touchdowns.

It will be that secondary preventing them from making the playoffs in 2022.

While Wentz can give Washington a shot, he can’t win games when the defense puts him in a bind.