Brian Robinson Jr. Thinks Commanders Need to 'Invest' In Run Game

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. disagreed with their play-calling after their loss to the Buffalo Bills.
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The Washington Commanders ran 51 offensive plays against the Buffalo Bills, and an overwhelming majority were pass plays — much to the chagrin of their starting running back.

Brian Robinson Jr. didn't hold back when asked after the game how the Commanders' offense could have done better in their 37-3 loss to the Bills Sunday.

“Invest in the run game," Robinson said. "Numerous amounts of time we put in positive yards in the run game. I would love to stick to it as a running back but sometimes that’s not what’s best for the offense. With that being said, I’ve just got to control what I can control. When my number’s called, I’ve just got to make the most of it.”

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. runs the ball against the New York Giants.
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson against the New York Giants / Geoff Burke, USA Today

Last week, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields made comments that coaching clouded his vision and muddied his headspace instead of letting him go out and play his game.

Was Fields wrong with his comments? No, not necessarily. Should he have said them publicly? Once again, probably not.

Robinson's comments, much like Fields, are not wrong at all but probably could have been saved for the team's meeting this week.

The Commanders dropped back 38 times against Buffalo. Sam Howell was 19-for-29 for 170 yards with four interceptions getting sacked nine times.

Washington only handed it off 13 times for a whopping average of 8.1 yards per carry. Robinson ran it 10 times for 70 yards.

The Commanders' defense didn't do offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy any favors with the play-calling, letting Buffalo score twice in the first quarter. Trailing 16-0 at halftime, that could have influenced his play-calling. 

It's not exactly easy to stick to a run-first approach when down two scores and as many two-point conversions in the second half.

These conversations will likely take place in the offense's meetings — as well as a lot of other topics — before they face the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday.


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