LANDOVER, Md. — Following an exhilarating last-minute victory where he threw a dramatic Hail Mary touchdown pass, Jayden Daniels’s thoughts quickly shifted to areas needing improvement within his team. “I’m glad we secured the win, but there’s still a lot we could have done better,” Daniels, who played through a rib injury, expressed. “We need to refine our offensive plays, address penalties, and enhance our communication. Winning feels good; it’s always easier to learn from a victory.”
The Commanders’ unlikely win, marked by a thrilling 52-yard touchdown pass to Noah Brown as time expired, improved their record to 6-2. However, red zone struggles and third-down inefficiencies remain critical challenges that could jeopardize their playoff aspirations. “It’s clear we can’t continue to falter in the red zone; converting touchdowns instead of settling for field goals is essential,” center Tyler Biadasz noted. “We should focus on the fixable issues while celebrating this moment.”
During the game, Washington faced difficulties by failing to score on three red zone attempts and only converting five out of 15 third downs, culminating in four field goals from Austin Seibert. Coach Dan Quinn described the match as frustrating, mirroring similar offensive struggles witnessed in their earlier win against the New York Giants in Week 2, when the offense was solely supported by Seibert’s franchise-record seven field goals. That game also had the potential for a different outcome had the Giants not lost their kicker, Graham Gano, early on.
With the Commanders set to face the Giants again on Sunday, they aim to straighten out their issues. Washington enters the matchup as a 3.5-point favorite according to BetMGM Sportsbook. “We have plenty to work on going forward,” receiver Terry McLaurin stated. “Next week’s challenge will be tough since it’s a divisional game, but we’ll be prepared.”
On a positive note, the defense managed to keep Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears scoreless until late in the third quarter. They forced a turnover close to their own end zone and allowed only 15 points, fulfilling their responsibilities effectively. “The defense played a crucial role in securing our victory through their ability to stop plays and regain possession for offense,” Daniels remarked.
After a dominant performance against Carolina, Washington achieved the noteworthy feat of holding its opponents scoreless in the first half for two consecutive games—a first since 1997. The restructured defense, featuring several new starters, now ranks among the top 10 in scoring defense and 14th overall in the NFL, an impressive turnaround from their earlier season standing of 29th. Williams faced relentless pressure, recording just 10 completions out of 24 attempts and being sacked twice. “Our strategy focused on keeping Williams contained and forcing him to scramble out of the pocket,” linebacker Frankie Luvu explained.
Nevertheless, penalty problems persist, with a significant play negated due to an ineligible man downfield call that voided a 32-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Olamide Zaccheaus. The Commanders registered five penalties for a total of 30 yards. While the number of penalties may seem manageable, their timing raises concerns. Coach Quinn expressed that he supports aggressive play, but they are endeavoring to minimize mistakes born from lack of focus.
General manager Adam Peters’s roster revamp has shown promising results, especially with key signings like Noah Brown, Austin Seibert, and Jalyn Holmes, who stepped up after Jonathan Allen’s injury and recorded a sack against Williams.
On the downside, despite the offensive line’s surprising strength, Daniels sustained excessive hits after making throws, which is particularly concerning for a rookie dealing with rib issues. “It’s vital to limit the hits he takes, yet he continues to showcase his resilience,” running back Brian Robinson said.
In terms of injuries, the left tackle position might become problematic if rookie Brandon Coleman remains sidelined due to a concussion. Cornelius Lucas exited the Bears game with an ankle injury, elevating Trent Scott into the crucial role of protecting Daniels’ blind side.
A notable stat emerged as Daniels scrambled for 12.79 seconds before launching the game-winning Hail Mary from the 35-yard line, marking the first time since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger that the franchise won a game with a final-play touchdown.
As they prepare for their next game, the Commanders must be cautious of the Giants, particularly given quarterback Daniel Jones’s strong record in this division rivalry, with 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions in his career against them. The upcoming schedule is daunting, with critical matchups against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia within a five-day window, from November 10-14.