LANDOVER, Md. -- The Washington Commanders saw what they wanted to become on offense, especially in the run game. Brian Robinson powered the ground game between the tackles, while Antonio Gibson did so to the edges. They scored their most points since Week 2.

The Commanders also saw who they could be on defense -- limiting big plays, controlling the ground game and getting off the field on third downs. They allowed a season-low yardage total.

That formula -- riding the run game and defense -- allowed Washington (3-4) to beat the Green Bay Packers, 23-21, on Sunday. But it’s also one they need to use if they’re going to build on a two-game winning streak, starting Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)).

It also happens to be the same formula Washington used during its best stretch in 2021, a four-game winning streak that helped it climb out of a big hole.

“I think the sign of a team that has a chance to turn around, is some of the formula we put together [Sunday],” Washington receiver Terry McLaurin said.

He was speaking about the offense, but it applies to both sides of the ball -- not to mention special teams, which has recovered two muffed punts that led to points the past two games.

The Commanders held the Packers to 232 total yards, limiting them to 38 rushing yards on 12 carries. Green Bay was 0-for-6 on third downs. Meanwhile, Washington rushed for 166 yards and held the ball for over 37 minutes.

It’s not always the prettiest way to win, except when it’s a team that hasn’t won a lot lately. Results, not beauty, determine the postgame mood.

During a four-game win streak last season, helping Washington reach 6-6 before COVID-19 issues and injuries wrecked them, it was the run game and defense that won games.

“The biggest thing, more than anything else, is just you go win, you can win pretty, you can win ugly," Washington coach Ron Rivera said. "I mean if you are going to win ugly, who cares?”

While backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke started for the injured Carson Wentz on Sunday, it was the run game that paved the way. And it worked the way the Commanders hoped it would in training camp: Robinson (20 carries, 73 yards) was the muscle and Gibson (10 carries, 59 yards) was the burst.

In a Week 6 win over Chicago, those two combined for 76 second-half rushing yards -- Gibson averaged 7.0 yards per carry, Robinson 4.1.

“That is kind of what we envisioned,” Rivera said. “You have a guy [Robinson] that’s pretty much a hammer that is a very physical runner inside. Then you see Antonio use his athleticism, his vision, his speed and quickness to take that ball and bounce it outside and turn the corner. He did that a couple times and it was very impressive.”

Rivera said having two distinct backs helps both players. It starts with Robinson running the ball inside, softening the middle. Then they turn to the speedier Gibson, who weighs 220 pounds.

“He bounces it a couple times, now it stretches the defense,” Rivera said. “You come back, you hand the ball back off to Brian going inside and all of a sudden there's a crease or two that wasn't there earlier.”

They need more such success Sunday. The Colts' defense ranks fourth in yards per carry, but 24th in rushing yards allowed per game.

Meanwhile, Washington's defense has played well, too. For the season, they rank 12th in yards and 19th in points. But over the past five games, Washington ranks 11th in points and seventh in yards. During the win streak, the Commanders have faced two struggling offenses in Chicago (29th in points, 30th in yards) and the Packers (26th in points, 20th in yards).

However, they also like what they’ve seen on film, too. Their defensive line has played more consistent, working more successful stunts than last year, and getting more vertical. Washington ranks ninth with 19 sacks and likely will get defensive end Chase Young back from his ACL injury soon, possibly for Week 9 versus the Minnesota Vikings.

“The boys are eating; all those boys are eating,” safety Bobby McCain said of the line. “We tell them you keep rushing like that, you’re going to make it easy on us.”

The Commanders also implemented a new coverage scheme this year, using more of a zone match defense that applies man principles in zone coverage.

“I know it’s the same staff running [the defense] but we’re running different stuff,” Washington linebacker Cole Holcomb said. “We had to go through that process all over again.

“We were trying to figure it all out. I think we’re starting to figure it out.”

Sunday, Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger will make his first NFL start after Indy benched Matt Ryan for the season. The run game, with Jonathan Taylor, has struggled this season -- they’re 29th in yards per carry and 30th in total rushing yards.

But, opponent aside, the secondary has been more communicative and the linebackers in recent weeks have been more consistent. They’ve mixed it up with their looks, too, alternating between three safeties or three corners when using a nickel package.

They have been fooled less when motion has forced last-second shifts or assignment changes, as happened to corner William Jackson III multiple times earlier this season.

They allowed a combined 17 plays of 20 yards or more in the first three games. They’ve allowed 13 in the past four. Lately big plays have resulted less from a confused defensive player and more from a good offensive play.

It helps, too, that they’re second in third-down defense after ranking 31st last season.

“In the beginning of the season, we were like, ‘OK, how’s this scheme work? Where do I fit in the scheme?'” corner Benjamin St-Juste said. “Now, we're comfortable; people know each other, how to play off each other. You can see it on the field how comfortable and how close we are.”

If the Commanders want to make the next 10 games interesting, they found the formula. The question remains: How long can they make it work?