The Washington Commanders took a different approach with cornerback Marshon Lattimore in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. It had the desired effect.
Joe Whitt Jr. gave Lattimore his 10th-lowest rate of man coverage snaps at SoFi Stadium, according to Next Gen Stats. He allowed only one reception for six receiving yards, which played a significant role in Washington coming from behind to seal a memorable triumph on the road.
But as fans know all too well, the Ohio State product is always one play away from catastrophe these days.
Commanders need the dependable version of Marshon Lattimore against the Bears
Lattimore's gone through a rollercoaster start to the campaign. One game, he looks like the shutdown corner who took the league by storm once upon a time. Next, he's a liability, getting burned for significant gains or conceding crucial penalties in key moments. It's feast or famine for the four-time Pro Bowler right now, and that won't go unnoticed by Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson as part of his strategic planning for their Monday Night Football showdown.
Johnson, who was in strong contention for the Commanders' head coaching gig before pulling himself out of the running, is an innovative offensive mind. There is a lot of motion. There are numerous trick plays and misdirections. He's a master at exploiting weaknesses and capitalizing on the defenses he faces. It's been hard work installing his philosophy and raising standards in Chicago so far, but there have been signs of life from the Bears over the last couple of games.
The offensive guru also boasts an exceptional record coming off bye weeks, so it's a challenge Washington must be ready for. That bears special significance for Lattimore, who'll be up against either Rome Odunze or D.J. Moore throughout the contest.
Moore and Odunze are both first-round picks. They can both punish errors or lapses in concentration at will. They will also feel confident about getting the upper hand on Lattimore, who's found life testing against quicker receivers throughout the campaign to date.
And with the entire NFL audience watching on primetime, Lattimore must deliver.
It'll be interesting to see which version of Lattimore shows up at Northwest Stadium. Will the Commanders see the confident, lockdown presence in the face of one of the league's most explosive tandems, or will fans be forced to watch a shaky, confidence-sapped coverage presence in a must-win game?
Last game's boost should serve Lattimore well. But considering it's been one step forward and two steps back for the defensive back this season, it could legitimately go either way.