'Snowball' Effect Led to Washington Commanders Parting Ways With Coaches, Says Ron Rivera

The Washington Commanders parted ways with Jack Del Rio and Brent Vieselmeyer after the loss to the Dallas Cowboys, with Ron Rivera stating it was a culmination of poor performances.

The Washington Commanders suffered their eighth loss of the season as they were humbled 45-10 by the Dallas Cowboys after yet another poor defensive performance.

As such, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer were both moved on.

But head coach Ron Rivera detailed that the decision to move the pair on wasn't a snap judgment but more so off the back of a host of poor defensive performances throughout the season.

“Well, it is something that I was probably thinking about for a little bit," Rivera said. "But the culmination, obviously for me was yesterday. It just snowballed again. And again, just thinking this might be the thing that could help it. Again, I just think that everything that Jack and Brent did was to do the best they can to help us. And unfortunately, we just didn't get it done. And like I said, the blame is, we're all culpable, players and coaches. We have to be better.”

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera will now call the defensive plays after Jack Del Rio was relieved of his duties :: Geoff Burke/USA Today

The Commanders now have the worst defense in the NFL in points allowed per game (29.2), and Rivera will now pick up the defensive play-calling duties in an attempt to make the unit tougher to score against.

The only way to go is up as the Commanders face the Miami Dolphins before their bye week, and things don't exactly get easier for Washington either. The Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and the Dallas Cowboys are still on Washington's schedule.

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Del Rio and Vieselmeyer were casualties for a poor defensive unit that gave up 30+ points seven times this season.

With a tough schedule coming up and the team reeling after multiple poor performances, particularly on the defensive side, the only way is up for the Commanders.