Commanders developing winning formula with Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler

Ekeler has also been Daniels’ most reliable target. He’s caught all seven of his intended passes, making him one of just 11 running backs to do so through two games.

Robinson had a feeling he and Ekeler would be an effective tandem. “We’re just figuring out how to play with each other,” Robinson said, but the returns have been good so far.

“We’ve given guys a great idea of what we’re gonna be and so much more to come,” Robinson said.

“We’re just playing the game how it comes to us,” Ekeler said. “He’s [Robinson’s] a playmaker. I get on the field and it’s the same thing with myself.”

The duo of Robinson and Ekeler has led to Washington producing one of the league’s most effective ground attacks through two games. The team is seventh in attempts (32.5), sixth in yards per game (176.5), second in rushing first downs per game (10.5), sixth in yards per attempt (5.4) and ninth in rushing play rate (52%). It’s a stark contrast from an offense that was 27th in rushing yards per game a year ago and had the sixth fewest total yards on the ground.

Robinson and Ekeler won’t always be the focal points of the Commanders’ offense. As Daniels continues to improve, Terry McLaurin, Zach Ertz and the rest of their weapons will get more involved in the game plan. The Commanders are learning as they go, which is expected for a team that overturned half its roster in the offseason.

Until then, it doesn’t hurt to have a pair of productive players in the backfield.

“B-Rob did his thing. Ek did his thing in the backfield,” Daniels said. “You got guys that could take a two-yard gain, break tackles and take it 60 [yards].”