Commanders vs. Bills TEs Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid: Key to Victory?

Underdogs at home for the first time there are three things the Washington Commanders need to do in order to defeat the Buffalo Bills in Week 3.

The Washington Commanders are on the cusp of doing something that hasn't happened since Joe Gibbs was coaching this franchise for the second time. 

With a win against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday the Commanders will be 3-0 for the first time since 2005, and in order to overcome the 6.5-point hole the oddsmakers are putting them in they'll have to do three things near perfectly.

Key No. 1 - Account for Buffalo's Tight Ends

Dawson Knox was already a solid tight end for the Buffalo Bills before they drafted Dalton Kincaid out of Utah in the first round of the NFL Draft. 

Now, with Kincaid arriving and getting more comfortable by the week, the Bills are leaning heavily on the duo they invested so heavily in already. 

After using 12 Personnel (one running back and two tight ends) near the lowest in the league last year, they're at the top in using it through two weeks this year. 

When Washington defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio's defense last saw Buffalo's offense it faced 12 Personnel less than 30 percent of the time, but will likely see it this weekend more than 70 percent.

Whether it's in the passing game or rushing, the tight ends have taken a major role in the Bills offense this year and how the Commanders counter that presence is going to play big in which side gets the win.

Mandatory Credit Mark Konezny USA TODAY Sports

Key No. 2 - Ride With Robinson, and Friends

Brian Robinson Jr. isn't just arriving on the NFL stage after showing tons of potential as a rookie despite missing the first four games of the season. 

After Week 2, however, many are wondering if Robinson is poised to take the next step as one of the up-and-coming young backs in the league.

With a strong showing against Buffalo this weekend his name would not only be on the radar, it'd be on the list of priority trade targets in every fantasy league there is.

More importantly, he'd help his team get an all-important upset win at home against a presumed Super Bowl contender in the process.

But he isn't alone and fellow running back Antonio Gibson has proven his value over the years, especially in the passing game, and rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. brings plenty of potential to contribute in what could turn into a very physical back-and-forth affair.

Potentially wet conditions are going to make ball security and the ground game more important than most weeks.

Considering the Bills' tendency to play with light defensive boxes 51 percent of the time this season it's critical Robinson and Co. take advantage of a defense currently allowing 5.28 yards per carry.

Key No. 3 - Bring the Stickum

Okay, wet weather usually allows for some wiggle room in the drops department and we try not to kill guys for the occasional greased-pig mishap.

But the Commanders are on pace right now to have 14 more drops this year than last, and that's no way to support a young quarterback I Sam Howell who is making just his fourth career start. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Washington has converted just 25 percent of opposing passer turnover-worthy plays according to Pro Football Focus into interceptions.

Given the young quarterback and new offense, and the fact the Commanders specifically targeted getting more takeaways this offseason, these are not acceptable numbers.

Drop a pass against the Bills this weekend and it could result in an extra possession or premature termination of one of Washington's own. 

Let another interception slip through the Commanders' fingers and it could mean extending a scoring drive for Buffalo that should've gone the other way. 

Regardless, if Washington can't cleanly field catchable balls on Sunday, it'll hurt the chances that coach Ron Rivera joins coach Gibbs in at least one piece of modern franchise history.