Washington Commanders OC demands Death Ground energy to stay alive

The Washington commanders I know they no longer have to wait until the fourth quarter to come out. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is demanding the same sense of urgency and focus that the team did in the final minutes against Dallas – but this time from the start as they face the Tennessee Titans in Week 13.

“Yeah, I think the focus, the sense of urgency,” he said Commanders the offensive coordinator said when asked what the team can bring to this weekend’s matchup. “We’ve definitely talked about making sure we launch the game in this mode. The whole death ground strategy where there’s no other option but to score or it’s over.”

Kingsbury’s “death ground strategy” is a no-nonsense approach that forces players to act as if every snap could decide the season. It’s a mentality Washington struggled to find itself at the start of games and often had to catch up against strong opponents. For Kingsbury, the late-game energy can’t get stuck in the final minutes – she needs to lead the charge from the first drive.

“I think we have to find a way to get a sense of urgency and focus at the start of the game,” he said. “Playing at a much higher level and calling plays at a better level and training at a better level at the start of the game. And not to wait until our backs are against the wall.”

The slow starts were this team’s Achilles heel. They have the talent to compete, but overcoming early deficits requires too much energy and leaves little room for error. Kingsbury knows this isn’t just a player problem – coaches need to pay more attention to it, too.

“We’ve definitely talked about making sure we start the game in that mode,” he said. “Playing at a much higher level and calling plays at a better level and practicing at a better level at the start of the game.”

If the Commanders are serious about making the playoffs this season, they will need to bring the same sense of urgency from the start. Start strong, hang in there and turn those heartbreaking last-minute comebacks into decisive victories – something they must do to establish themselves as playoff contenders.

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