Even though the Washington Commanders didn’t end up beating the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football, several positives emerged. That can provide head coach Dan Quinn with at least some solace amid the almost constant doom and gloom.
The Commanders aren’t making the postseason. They won’t even have a winning record after Denver handed Quinn his ninth loss of the campaign. This is all about taking slight positives into the offseason. After that, it’ll be up to general manager Adam Peters to implement the necessary improvements.
Quinn was eager to take a glass-half-full approach to Washington’s latest defeat. This wasn’t a blowout. Had it not been for a failed two-point conversion attempt, the Commanders would have knocked off one of the league’s best teams. There is no such thing as a moral victory in the NFL, but this was pretty close.
Dan Quinn priases Sam Cosmi for best performance since Commanders return
The coach also confirmed what fans saw with their own eyes during the clash. Quinn singled out veteran right guard Sam Cosmi for special praise, stating that he felt like it was his best game by a considerable margin since coming back from a torn ACL.
“It might have been Sam’s [Cosmi] best game, so that was good. That I would feel like, bigger comp, I’m talking about across the board for them to go. I think they hadn’t played talented guys. He knows that all the time, but I just thought their stunts, their blitz package, that part was good. I felt like him and Josh [Conerly Jr.] have felt more cohesive and like that continuity is helping because now they’ve been in that rhythm good bit together.”
Dan Quinn via Commanders.com
It’s hard to argue. Cosmi was among the NFL’s most prolific interior linemen before getting hurt against the Detroit Lions in the divisional playoff round. He worked exceptionally hard to get back sooner than expected. It was always going to take time, but the former Texas standout is finally starting to look like his old self.
With rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. demonstrating encouraging growth after his early-season baptism of fire, the Commanders have the right-hand side of their offensive line secure. Laremy Tunsil is an elite blindside presence, and center Tyler Biadasz is solid without being spectacular. If left guard Chris Paul is re-signed, Washington will have all five starting linemen back next season.
That sort of continuity is only going to help. And if Cosmi stacks good performances over Washington’s five remaining games, he’ll resume his position as a franchise cornerstone.
Not that there was any doubt about that, to begin with.
