The Washington Commanders finally have something to build on.
After a rough start, Dan Quinn’s team steadied itself on Sunday Night Football and handled an under-strength Philadelphia Eagles squad the way most people expected it to. It was the kind of win that can change the mood around a team, even if only for a little while. The Commanders needed it badly, because one victory doesn’t erase the problems that have followed them all season.
There’s still plenty hanging over this group. The injuries haven’t let up, and Quinn knows better than to treat one good night as a turning point on its own.
Still, the schedule opens up a bit over the second half of 2026, and the next six games will go a long way toward deciding what this season becomes. If Washington can keep the pressure on, the NFC East race may not be over yet.
The next test comes against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10, on Sunday, November 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET at Northwest Stadium on FOX.
On paper, it’s still a tough ask. The Rams came into the season with higher expectations, but they’ve fallen short of them so far.
Even so, they’re 4-4 and riding a two-game winning streak, so this is no soft landing for Washington. Sean McVay’s offense remains dangerous, and the Rams’ healthy rushing attack could create problems if the Commanders aren’t sharp early.
There’s also the matter of Myles Garrett. McVay said Garrett will return, and if practice goes well, he’ll likely play at Northwest Stadium. That would be a major challenge for a Washington offensive line that hasn’t exactly impressed through the first seven games.
This one has the feel of a game that could swing on a few key plays. The Rams may have the edge in talent, but they’re also making a cross-country trip for an early kickoff, and that could work in the Commanders’ favor.
In Other News...
Jayden Daniels Has A Good Reason To Ignore Outside Criticism
Jayden Daniels has been hearing the noise all season, even with the kind of start that usually quiets a lot of it. He has yet to throw an interception, but the conversation around him has shifted anyway, with analysts like Kurt Warner and Dan Orlovsky arguing that he needs to be more aggressive and push the ball downfield more often.
There is a reason Daniels and the Commanders have leaned the way they have, though, and it starts with the personnel around him. Washington has been dealing with injuries to key receivers, including Terry McLaurin, and the result is a passing game that has not offered Daniels many clean chances to take those bigger shots. Until the options around him improve, the safer approach may look conservative from the outside, but it is also the one that makes the most sense. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Be Getting The Rams Defense They Didnt Want
The Rams have spent the week moving toward a significant boost on defense, with pass rusher Myles Garrett trending toward a return just in time for their Week 9 matchup with Washington. Garrett has been working back from knee surgery, and his full week of practice has pointed to a player who is close enough to be cleared for game action as the Rams line up the final steps before Sunday.
For a Commanders offense that would rather not see a fresh edge threat added to the mix, the timing is notable. Los Angeles is expected to evaluate Garrett one more time before making the move official, but the signs have been pointing in one direction all week, and Washington may be dealing with a defense that looks a lot different than the one it expected to face. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Face A Brutal Test With Their Offense Under Pressure
The Rams head into Week 9 with some momentum after bouncing back from an earlier loss and now have a chance to push their record above .500. For Washington, the matchup arrives with the kind of pressure that tends to follow a win rather than erase the concerns around a losing season, especially with injuries still complicating the picture. It is the sort of game that can tell you a lot about where a team really stands, even before the first snap.
Los Angeles brings a clear edge in how it can attack, with advantages both on the ground and through the air against a Commanders defense that has struggled to hold up. Washingtons offense has its own burden here too, because the margin for error gets thin quickly when the other side can dictate pace and field position. The Rams look like the more complete team on paper, but the Commanders still have enough in front of them to make this more than just a routine road test. [Read more 🡒]