At the start of the second quarter, Shoya once again led his teammates into battle. Provocations, discussions, and questions made no sense to him. On the field, the slightest distraction is not allowed.
In an instant, Shoya decided on offensive tactics. He follows the instructions given by Coach Johnson: "For the time being, avoid turnovers but calculate the risks."
Looking at the defense, he instructed the offensive linemen based on a very specific code. 1st & 10, in the Commanders' 15-yard line, they decided to run for a 15-yard gain from Foreman.
Robinson again made a 5-yard run down the middle. He hears Johnson's instructions: "The next action attempts a read option."
Shoya is starting to gain confidence and sense that something is to be achieved in this drive, and it's his job to make it conclusive for the Commanders. Washington's receiver team is young, without big names and stars.
Noah Fant has never been one of the best in the league, and in a way, that's perfect for Shoya. He doesn't have the burden of passing the ball to anyone in particular, and he can choose based on his ideas.
After the next play was set up, he moved the ball back while the other running back, Gibson, rushed forward. A play-action starts with what looks like a racing game but turns out to be a pass.
Shoya passes left for Copperfield for a 13-yard gain.
Johnson was more than satisfied when speaking with Rogers, the QB's coach and offensive coordinator: "His choices are simple, but they are choices that must be made. So, has he always been so smart and wise? »
Roger nodded. Not just his coaches, analysts, and teammates are watching him without him knowing... or rather, without him paying attention.
Then, he put the ball back in the hands of Gibson, who gained 9 yards. The offense on the ground was at full throttle, and the Titans had a hard time stopping him, especially since Shoya himself, after a run feint, would have the way clear for an 8-yard run.
Still, the linemen's blocks were well done on the run, and Gibson ran left for 5 yards. The playbook opens up little by little for Shoya. It's not that he didn't know it, but he lacked real-time practice.
He made a laser pass to Noah Fant in the middle for a 5-yard gain. On top of that, Titans linebacker King was fouled for an illegal contact penalty and added 5 yards to the Commanders, who gave a 1st down.
In the Titans' 26-yard line, the defense tightens up, and as a result, defensive backs have less surface area to cover, making defenses stronger.
After restarting the offense, Shoya reapplied the trick, making a false pass, calmly backing up, and finding LeJay Thomas, a receiver from the driving squad, for a valuable 16-yard gain.
For the first time in the game, the Commanders were in 1st & Goal, and the Titans were open, but they were proud. After crushing the pocket, Shoya didn't try to understand and immediately got rid of the ball by throwing it at an improbable height.
Incomplete pass!
"Coach, I'm going to the ground. The Saints all sacrificed to prevent a pass! Shoya said the coach heard him in his headset connected by an earpiece. He didn't hear anything, and the few seconds seemed long.
"Triple option," Johnson replied. Shoya passed the message on to the rest of the players on the field.
2nd & Goal for the Commanders. According to Jerrod Johnson's instructions, players enter I-formation with a full back and a running back.
"READY! ATTACK! Shoya picked up the ball and turned around. With his large size, he has no problem seeing above the line of scrimmage. The offensive line pushes to the left while he makes a feint to the full-back who plays the play and pretends to have received the ball.
But it was already too late. Foreman and Shoya had already run to the right, and taking advantage of a Foreman block on the safety, he had a clear path to the touchdown. No.51 is the only one that can stop me from scoring now, and it's a one-on-one.
But how can it be stopped so easily? Shoya took the ball and accelerated. Seeing the defender's tackle, he put his arm in opposition. At that point, the size advantage was reflected. The linebacker couldn't completely stop his run.
The referee raised his hands for confirmation.
At 11:49 in the second quarter, Shoya Barthelemy scores her first NFL regular-season touchdown. On a 10-yard run!
"TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN! The Commanders scored another touchdown! In the studio, the announcer couldn't help but excitedly yell again, "Rookie quarterback Shoya Barthelemy scored his first career touchdown with a 10-yard run! »
Niklas Oberg rushed, Mustafa Copperfield rushed, and D'Onta Foreman rushed in with their bodies heavy and robust. As they all run to the auditorium, venting their depression, Shoya doesn't.
He just clenched his fists and celebrated briefly. The game isn't over.
The happiest person is somewhere in the stadium. Widad is absolutely thrilled that Shoya's work is paying off. She sees him walking towards the bench, waving to all the defensive players and the coach.
Despite the distance, she could only see him. He didn't jump for joy on his first career touchdown; she's drawn to that calm in all circumstances, and the seed is too heavy for her to keep hiding it.
Special teams from both teams took the field, and the Commanders scored extra runs without suspense. Washington has widened its lead and now leads "0:14," the situation looks dire for NOLA.
Especially since Washington's defense is in great shape, boosted by an offense that seems to be working, Sweat and Payne will crush Derek Carr's pocket and get a sack each for a loss of -7 yards in back-to-back.
The Saints saved the honor at the end of the game, but the most challenging part was done by Shoya and his team, who managed to get three field goals to ensure victory for his team. It's not that yet for Shoya, who has his excuse that wasn't helped by his receivers, but with a 15/27, 191 yards, and a run-TD, we can say that he did what was necessary to win.
"10:20" That's the final score in favor of the Commanders, and Shoya leaves with his first victory. The first of many, but the losers will write history for him.
The referee blew the whistle for the end of the game, and he walked up to and shook Carr's hand. This is mandatory etiquette.
Even if it's just one game among many for Derek Carr, it's the most important game of Shoya's career. There have been ups and downs despite the preparation.
Even the elite quarterback is different every season and has to be prepared for every game, and Shoya is only a rookie, so that applies to him, too.
He still has a long way to go, and each game will get more complicated and complex. He's far from complacent.