Commanders Collapse in Second Half as Eagles Pull Away: Six Key Takeaways from Week 16
For two quarters on Saturday, the Washington Commanders looked like they might be ready to play spoiler. They led the Philadelphia Eagles 10-7 at halftime, thanks to a strong start and some early defensive disruption.
But whatever momentum they had vanished after the break. The Eagles took control in the second half and never looked back, rolling to a 29-18 win at Northwest Stadium.
Washington opened the third quarter with the ball and some promise, pushing into Eagles territory. But the drive fizzled out at the 44-yard line, and things took a turn from there.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota, who had been managing the game well, appeared to injure his throwing hand after being pushed down and bracing his fall. Though he cleared concussion protocol, the hand injury left his status uncertain, and he didn’t return.
That opened the door for veteran Josh Johnson, who came in cold and threw an interception on just his fourth pass attempt. Philadelphia capitalized immediately, taking over at the Commanders’ 37-yard line and continuing their second-half surge. By the time Washington found the end zone again, it was too little, too late.
The Commanders are now 4-11, and the season is firmly in evaluation mode. Here are six takeaways from Saturday’s loss:
1. Treylon Burks Is Giving Washington Something to Build On
It’s been a rough year in D.C., but Treylon Burks continues to flash the kind of talent that makes you believe he can be part of the solution. His stat line - two catches for 30 yards - doesn’t jump off the page, but the impact went beyond the box score.
One of those catches was a tough 24-yard snag, and he had another wiped out by penalty. He also drew what looked like a clear hold in the end zone that wasn’t called.
Burks brings a physical presence to Washington’s receiving corps, using his size to create separation and make contested catches. With only Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane under contract next season, Burks is making a strong case to stick around.
The key for him, as always, is staying healthy. But when he’s on the field, he looks like a guy who can make plays for this team moving forward.
2. Mike Sainristil: The Ultimate Mixed Bag
Mike Sainristil is a bit of a rollercoaster right now. On one hand, he's the only defender consistently generating turnovers - he forced a fumble on the very first play of the game and later broke up a big third-and-11 pass to A.J.
Brown. On the other hand, he gave up a touchdown to DeVonta Smith after getting beat off the line, and he’s been vulnerable to big plays all season.
The Commanders need to figure out where Sainristil fits best. Is he a nickel corner?
A safety? A hybrid?
He’s got playmaking instincts, but he’s also been inconsistent. With so many young players regressing this year, it’s fair to wonder how much of that is on the coaching staff.
Either way, Sainristil has the tools - now it’s about putting him in position to succeed.
3. The Quan Martin Dilemma
The Commanders were hoping for a breakout season from safety Quan Martin. Instead, they’re left wondering if he’s even a starter moving forward. Martin struggled again on Saturday, giving up a touchdown to tight end Dallas Goedert and missing multiple tackles in space.
It’s been a tough year for the former second-round pick, who still has one year left on his rookie deal. But the question now is whether Washington can count on him at all.
Do they need to bring in two new starting safeties this offseason? Martin’s athleticism is there, but the instincts and tackling have been inconsistent at best.
The Commanders need answers - and soon.
4. Dan Quinn’s Conservative Calls Raise Eyebrows
With the Commanders sitting at 4-10 entering the game, you’d expect a little more aggression from head coach Dan Quinn. Instead, he opted for a field goal on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line after a strong opening drive. Later in the game, down by 11, he punted twice near midfield.
Yes, Washington was on its third quarterback. But Johnson is an 18-year veteran, and the Commanders had nothing to lose.
In a lost season, those are the moments to take chances and evaluate your offense under pressure. Instead, Quinn played it safe - and it cost them a shot at keeping the game close.
5. If Mariota’s Out, It’s Going to Get Ugly
We don’t yet know the extent of Mariota’s hand injury, but if he’s out for the final two games, Washington’s offense could be in for a rough finish. With Jayden Daniels already sidelined, that would leave Josh Johnson as the likely starter and Sam Hartman potentially elevated from the practice squad.
Johnson has experience, but the offense looked stagnant with him under center. And while Hartman is unproven, it might be worth giving him a look.
At this point, the Commanders are playing for evaluation, not wins. If Mariota can’t go, it might be time to see what the rookie can do - because fans are already tuning out, and the team needs a spark.
6. Where’s Frankie Luvu?
Last season, Frankie Luvu was one of Washington’s most impactful defenders - a playmaker who seemed to be everywhere. This year?
Not so much. He had eight tackles against the Eagles, but none of them stood out.
No splash plays, no momentum-shifting moments.
Luvu has struggled all year to recapture the form that made him such a difference-maker. And that’s a problem.
When you're facing a high-powered offense like Philadelphia’s, you need your top guys to step up. Luvu hasn’t been that guy this season, and it raises a tough question: Is he still a foundational piece, or is it time to start looking for an upgrade?
Final Thoughts
The Commanders had a chance to make a statement against a playoff-bound Eagles team. Instead, they let it slip away in the second half, undone by injuries, conservative coaching, and defensive lapses. At 4-11, the focus now shifts to the offseason - and to the many decisions that will shape the future of this franchise.
Whether it’s evaluating young talent like Burks and Sainristil, or deciding what to do with veterans like Luvu, Washington has no shortage of questions. The next two weeks won’t be about wins and losses. They’ll be about figuring out who’s part of the solution - and who isn’t.