ASHBURN, Va. — After 11 consecutive weeks, a notable rib injury and a current two-game losing streak, Jayden Daniels embraced the Washington Commanders’ schedule break.
“I was able to reset and refocus, restart,” the rookie quarterback said. “It’s kind of needed in a long season. It was great to get away for a little bit, but I’m glad that we’re back now.”
Hopefully, each person did whatever they required physically and mentally during this recoup opportunity. The week-long bye is two games away. Daniels spent part of his Friday night onstage with Commanders fan Wale at the rapper’s local concert and watched countless hours of football on Sunday. While others went out of town, whispers of what was wrong with an offense that labored in last Thursday’s 26-18 loss at Philadelphia remained in the air.
GO DEEPER
Commanders went bold in fourth quarter vs. Eagles, but lack of execution left them cold
Sunday’s meeting against the franchise’s historic rival, the Dallas Cowboys, is the first chance for this group to rediscover the mojo it displayed after winning seven of its first nine games. Daniels, his teammates and the coaching staff returned to the practice facility this week after the latest loss dropped Washington’s record to 7-4 and 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the NFC East standings.
“It was major,” defensive end Dorance Armstrong said of the respite. “We’ve been grinding nonstop. And now that we had that time off, I think a lot of guys have got their body back right and their mental right. I’m looking forward to going into this big stretch.”
Coach Dan Quinn, sporting his usual positive demeanor, held court with local reporters before practice. The football lifer appeared particularly amped about returning to a regular practice schedule after playing two games in five days and missing some teamwork following Daniels’ injury leading into the Week 8 “Hail Mary” win over the Chicago Bears.
Quinn cited offensive “timing” as a primary downside of the odd weekly practice schedules, whether “matching a certain route to a coverage” or the linemen knowing when and where they need to be. Washington scored only 10 points against the Eagles until a final touchdown and two-point conversion with 28 seconds remaining.
“The individual skill work, the competition periods at practice … and the execution. All three phases working at full speed. That’s a big deal for us,” Quinn said.
On Monday, Quinn addressed the elephant in the room by declaring, “Jayden is not hurt right now.” Daniels said nothing on Wednesday to counter his coach, even if his explanation for wearing a wrap over his midsection to stay warm during games didn’t go over well with all corners of social media.
Daniels looked physically fine in the 27–22 Week 9 win at the New York Giants, where his pinpoint passes led to two touchdown throws to Terry McLaurin. The offense declined in losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Eagles, the two best overall teams Washington faced this season. Returning to form against a reeling Dallas team should quiet doubts.
There’s no debate that the explosive rookie has been off his high standards lately. The quarterback, who set a record with an 82.1 completion percentage through the first four weeks of a season, ranks 28th in completion percentage at 59.5 over his last four games. Like Quinn, Daniels sees the value in regular practice structure.
“I’ll just say practice is very important, especially in our sport,” Daniels said. “You practice more than you play, so the constant chase to get better and grow, that comes with practice reps.”
Jayden Daniels is asked about Dan Quinn saying various practice interruptions played a factor in recent hiccups offensively: pic.twitter.com/UV8PrGqs1A
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 20, 2024
Ten wins and in?
Despite the two recent losses, Washington’s chances for a wild-card berth remain strong. No win total automatically clinches a playoff spot, but based on the current standings, 10 should get it done for the Commanders.
They’re favorites over the Cowboys (3-7) and are projected to beat the visiting Tennessee Titans (2-8) in Week 13. Winning those two and taking one of their final four will get them to 10 wins. The road is far more challenging for other wild-card contenders, especially those in the NFC West.
Arizona leads the division at 6-4, with the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks at 5-5. The Seahawks have four games remaining against teams with winning records, including two against the Cardinals. The Rams open their final seven games Sunday night against the Eagles. After a road trip to New Orleans, they play the Buffalo Bills and then close with three of their final four games in the division.
The 49ers’ next two games are at the Green Bay Packers and Bills. They also face the Detroit Lions in Week 17 and the Cardinals in the regular-season finale. Speaking of Arizona, five of its final seven games are against teams with a record of .500 or better.
Washington’s remaining schedule is far more advantageous. Games against Philadelphia in Week 16 and Atlanta in Week 17 are the only two against teams with winning records currently, and the Falcons (6-5) are coming off a 38-6 loss at Denver. In their seven wins over teams with a combined 21-40 record, Washington outscored foes 220-122.
The closing stretch isn’t only about advancing to the postseason but also about showing they can contend. The Commanders’ opponents through Week 11 included four teams currently with winning records. Washington went 1-3. The lone victory, a lopsided romp in Arizona, came against a squad that went from losing three of its first four games to winning five of the next six.
Perhaps the losses to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia were a matter of Washington hitting its head against the ceiling of its potential. The Steelers and Eagles are among four teams (Buffalo, Detroit) with active winning streaks of five or more games and among five teams with two or fewer losses. The Commanders’ overhauled roster is respectable but lacks the collective experience of the Steelers and can’t match the Eagles’ talent pool.
Let’s not focus too much on the past or look too far ahead. Quinn’s team handled struggles with aplomb. As longtime fans and observers of this franchise know, that’s never a given, regardless of records or point spreads. Keep that up over the final six games — the schedule works in its favor — and Washington will have a playoff spot, its first 10-win season since 2012 and perhaps reach 11 victories for the first time since 1991.
Commanders are (mostly) healthy
The bumps and bruises have escalated recently — hardly unusual in this physical sport — and the wait for cornerback Marshon Lattimore may take another week. Of course, Daniels missed the final three quarters of the Week 7 rout over the Carolina Panthers. Still, the Commanders have fared better than others.
Using the Week 1 starting lineup — and counting both members of the left tackle rotation — players have missed a total of 18 games. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (pectoral) is the lone primary player out for the season. In contrast, the Cowboys have been without quarterback Dak Prescott, edge rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, and wide receiver Brandin Cooks for 18 games total. Prescott is out for the season and Lawrence remains on injured reserve.
Wednesday’s injury report reflected the team’s overall health. Three players did not practice: Tight end Zach Ertz (rest), linebacker/special teams stalwart Nick Bellore and Lattimore (hamstring). The four-time Pro Bowler acquired in a trade deadline deal with the Saints has missed two games and has yet to participate in a full practice.
Quinn said Lattimore would work on a side field during practice after a “speed day” over the weekend. The training staff will assess his progress before increasing the workload.
“I’ll have a better sense probably (Thursday) afternoon and into Friday where we’ll go,” Quinn said, “but he’ll work off to the side today.”
The top three offensive tackles — Andrew Wylie, Brandon Coleman and Cornelius Lucas — were full participants Wednesday after missing at least one game each over the past four weeks. Kicker Austin Seibert (hip), replaced by Zane Gonzalez the past two games, was one of four “limited” participants. That’s a short list any team would take eight days before Thanksgiving.
Washington’s secondary has improved significantly throughout the season. Since Week 7, the Commanders’ defense ranks fourth in completion percentage (60.0), fifth in passing yards allowed (730) and tied for ninth in touchdown passes (five), according to TruMedia.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts appeared confused in the first half against Washington’s coverage and blitz schemes. According to Next Gen Stats, Hurts started 0-for-2 with two sacks against the blitz. However, when the pass rush faded after halftime — he was not pressured on any of his 11 dropbacks — Hurts completed 8 of 9 passes for 120 yards.
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Commanders general manager Adam Peters acquired Lattimore to have a high-end cornerback on the field, no matter the circumstances elsewhere on defense. His contract through 2026 helps Washington’s long-term plans.
Cowboys standout wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (67 receptions, 774 yards, four touchdowns) is the level of opponent Washington envisioned when adding Lattimore’s coverage skills. Quarterback Cooper Rush targeted Lamb 22 times in two starts, leading to 14 receptions for 114 yards.
Should Lattimore miss another game, numerous matchups elsewhere on Sunday favor Washington. However, the Commanders have upcoming games against the Titans’ Calvin Ridley, Eagles’ A.J. Brown, Falcons’ Drake London and a Week 18 rematch with Lamb. The projected playoff teams all have at least one playmaking receiver.
(Photo: Eric Hartline / Imagn Images)
