Commanders Week 9 Team Captains Announced Against Giants – Sports Illustrated

Ashburn, Virginia. — The Washington Chiefs went week-by-week with their team captain selections, opting to have no permanent captains identified for a team that values ​​the individual efforts of many who help create a total that has won six games in eight tries.

The Commanders’ announced captains each week also tend to follow some themes, including defenseman Frankie Luvou, selected the week the team faced off against his former team, the Carolina Panthers.

This week, after a miraculous Hail Mary win over the Chicago Bears, it’s no surprise that Washington wide receiver Noah Brown is one of the captains along with safety Quan Martin and tight end John Bates.

“I love the toughness that these guys have, what they bring, so it’s a fun part every Friday to talk to the team about those three,” Quinn said before sharing details about each man. “Noah, just his toughness and self-denial, and Quan just the handling and the hitting that he brings us, and then John, just all the energy that he brings, (he) does a lot of the dirty work that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, so all three will lead us this week.”

When looking for additional themes that also apply to this weekend’s opponent, Brown will likely play a big role as the Giants’ defense not only looks to pressure quarterback Jaden Daniels, but looks to take away his No. 1 target, Terry McLaurin.

In the Week 2 win over New York, Brown had three catches for 56 yards, including two big ones that put Washington in plus territory and set up the final two field goals for kicker Austin Seibert, which ultimately led to the team’s first win in season.

Speaking of the Giants trying to pressure Daniels, chip blocks have been a big part of the Commanders offense this season and figure to play an even bigger role in a game like this one where the opponent boasts the most the league’s passing efficiency through eight weeks.

Bates will be one of several players looking to add to the pass protection scheme as a chip blocker who has shown the ability to handle a pass and then quickly become a receiver for his quarterback. Of course, Bates also appears on nearly half the team’s special teams snaps, showing that his value extends well beyond the offensive side of things.

For Martin, Washington defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons praised his somewhat overlooked leadership ability. This goes unnoticed to the general public as it is not a leadership style, but it is effective nonetheless.

He also provides a great backstop for secondary teammates in front of him and great support for front seven players who want to play close to the line of scrimmage, who may need reinforcement from time to time.

Certainly, in his first year and a half in the NFL, Martin has shown that he can contribute to a successful defense no matter where he is on the line of scrimmage.

The trio certainly exhibited many of the qualities coach Quinn and general manager Adam Peters identified as the hallmarks of the ‘Commanders’, so it’s no surprise to hear their names among the many who have served as game captains.

Brown, Martin and Bates will lead their teams onto the field this Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ for a 1:00 PM ET kickoff against the Giants.

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