Nothing like a runaway victory and a week off to revive the Washington Commanders waning playoff hopes.
The 42-19 victory over the visiting Tennessee Titans on Sunday was the get-well tonic Washington needed after three straight losses. The Commanders led 21-0 in the first quarter with everything succeeding while the Titans contributed 11 penalties in the first half alone.
Jayden Daniels proved he’s a cold-weather quarterback in the 42-degree afternoon. Washington scored touchdowns on its first four drives while Daniels finished 25 of 30 with three touchdowns plus another running. Receiver Terry McLaurin scored twice off eight catches. Indeed, the offense possessed a 20-minute advantage over Tennessee.
So much for the midseason slump versus two division leaders and a rival, Washington gained a feel-good effort leading into its bye week.
“The guys really dug in on, had a good plan and No. 5 [Daniels] felt electric tonight,” head coach Dan Quinn said. “In terms of connecting, making plays, being decisive and to do all those things when it all comes together. It's a big deal, especially, it takes a lot when you're in those tough, dark couple weeks and you know there's something good just beyond the other side of the really hard . . . that you keep pushing it through.”
Washington (8-5) likely needs to win two of its remaining four to seal a wild card slot, though one win might do it. It’s not the easiest schedule, though. Washington returns at New Orleans, a team capable of an upset, before facing Philadelphia after losing an earlier meeting to the Eagles. Washington then faces playoff contender Atlanta before finishing at Dallas, which might need the win to reach the postseason.
It’s a fight through the final month much like the last four weeks have been for the Commanders. The bye can create a mindset reset and rest.
The upsides: Daniels is back in form after a few rough weeks combatting a rib injury. The running game is clicking again and the offense rediscovered McLaurin. The run defense has improved greatly and the pass rush has a pulse. Linebackers continue to be the Commanders’ best unit with Frankie Luvu emerging as the defense’s best player. The secondary hasn’t been bombarded regularly.
The downsides: Kicker is still shaky after losing Austin Seibert for the second time to injury and Zane Gonzalez missing a pair on Sunday. The return game hasn’t been anything special. The offense has lost playmaker Austin Ekeler until at least the season finale with his second concussion this year. The secondary is still vulnerable to a top passing game.
The key throughout the season has been Daniels, but the running game’s resurgence may really be the difference. Brian Robinson has three 100-yard games this season, including 103 versus the Titans. While sporting knee, ankle and hamstring injuries, he’s still tough enough to pound away with occasional breakaways. That backups Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez are also quality spot players takes the pressure off Daniels.
Yet, when those late-season games come down to big plays, they need to come from Daniels. Washington requires more targets than Terry McLaurin, but as a group the Commanders have several fair pass catchers in Noah Brown, Luke McCaffrey and tight end Zac Ertz. By committee seldom works, but Washington must make it work. The offense needs to win time of possession like its 20-minute edge over Tennessee. In its past three losses, Washington’s opponents each gained a 10-minute offensive advantage.
“[Players] do need this break. I think that's a big deal for us, going right for a while here,” Quinn said. “But to see us respond through the hard games, I think that's a big deal for us. To know that there's a lot out there for us and they do need this break. Our times together are really intense, as players and coaches and so they've really put in the work and that's one of the reasons I love coaching these guys is there's not, what are we doing? It’s honestly been just the opposite and looking at me, ‘What do you want Q? What's next?’
“And so, for them, I can't wait for this time, get a break cleared out, and then we come back and we go after it really hard. And my message for them, can we have the discipline to not look ahead? Can we really get our football in order and just take it to the next one and take it to the next one. The narrative is always so far out. Oftentimes, people talk about what's there and I'd much rather be, the most important thing is the fight that you're in. And so, when we come back, I won't talk much about the month ahead, I'll talk about the week ahead then knowing if we take care of those weeks, then they turn into more weeks. But I won't look ahead with them.”