Sunday night at Northwest Stadium brings together two teams searching for answers, but the pressure lands very differently on each sideline. Washington returns from its bye at 1-4-1, with the season and Dan Quinn’s future both hanging over the franchise. Philadelphia, meanwhile, arrives at 2-5 after losing five straight, its longest winless stretch since 2016.
The Commanders’ offense has already taken a major hit with Terry McLaurin lost for the year in Week 6, while running back Bill Croskey-Merritt remains on injured reserve. Quinn expects Antonio Williams to see more snaps in McLaurin’s absence, and Chig Okonkwo is also set for a larger role as a receiver. In the backfield, Washington plans to lean on a committee featuring Rachaad White, Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols.
The opponent should at least create an opening. The Eagles have dropped five in a row, and the loss of Jalen Hurts to blood clots has only deepened the hole. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee has had a rough go, and the numbers reflect it: in two starts, he has thrown for 426 passing yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT with a QBR of 35.4 this season.
Philadelphia’s offensive line has been in constant motion since the trade of Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens and the retirement of long-time right tackle Lane Johnson. Jordan Mailata is the lone player who has appeared in 100% of the team’s offensive snaps this year, while Tyler Steen currently holds down right guard. Left guard Landon Dickerson and center/guard Drew Kendall both returned from injuries Monday night, and third-round rookie Markel Bell made his first career start in Week 4.
There’s also uncertainty around Saquon Barkley, who has been dealing with injuries over the past few weeks. The Eagles placed backup Dameon Pierce on injured reserve Wednesday and elevated practice squad running back Jaydon Blue to the active roster, putting Blue in line for more work if Barkley is limited or unavailable Sunday night. Through the passing game, Devonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks continue to lead the team in receiving, while first-round pick Makai Lemon turned in the best game of his rookie season on Monday night.
Even with all that offensive turbulence, Philadelphia’s defense was the unit that unraveled in its last outing. Vic Fangio’s group was thrashed by Dallas, giving up more than 200 rushing yards and over 400 total yards to a Cowboys offense that entered the game ranked 30th in the league on the ground. The Eagles were missing only two starters, but the defense still came apart at Lincoln Financial Field.
A bigger issue may be the workload. Through seven games, Philadelphia’s defense has been on the field for 67.3 plays per game, the fourth-most in the NFL, largely because the offense has led the league in three-and-outs.
Fangio’s unit is also spending an average of 32:19 on the field in time of possession, second-most in the league. No matter how the blame gets divided, the Eagles have been short on answers on both sides of the ball.
Washington hasn’t exactly been cleaner up front either, which is what makes this matchup so intriguing. Philadelphia’s defense ranks 31st with a 28.7% pressure rate, while the Commanders’ offensive line is allowing pressure 39.9% of the time.
On the other side, the Eagles’ offensive line is giving up pressure at a 41.7% clip, and Washington’s defense ranks 17th in pressures with a 34.4% pressure rate. Both teams have struggled badly in the trenches, and one side will have to break through Sunday night.
Coming out of the bye, it will be worth watching how Steve Wilks shapes Washington’s defensive plan. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is expected to be out, but this still looks like the kind of matchup that could finally get the Commanders’ defense rolling.
On offense, the expectation is that David Blough will continue the approach he used in the fourth quarter of the season opener, attacking Cooper DeJean in the passing game while allowing Jayden Daniels to create with his legs. DeJean’s play has dropped sharply this season in coverage and run support.
Howie Roseman may be more interested in losing this game than winning it, but Nick Sirianni will try to push his team to a primetime victory. For Washington, this is the kind of game that can alter everything about the rest of the season. The Commanders need it, and Dan Quinn does too.
The over/under sits at 40.5, a sign that oddsmakers expect a low-scoring Sunday night matchup.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Face A Big Trade Deadline Decision At Wide Receiver
The Commanders are weighing whether to add a wide receiver before the NFL trade deadline on November 10, and ESPN has already put a few familiar names into the conversation. Jerry Jeudy of the Browns, Rashod Bateman of the Ravens and Chris Godwin of the Buccaneers all surfaced as possible targets, giving Washington a short list with very different price tags, fit questions and levels of realism.
What makes the decision tricky is that the options do not line up the same way for a team trying to balance present needs with long-term sense. Bateman has been viewed as the cleanest match for Washingtons offense, while Godwin looks like the longest shot because of his injury history and age. With the deadline closing in, the Commanders have to decide whether this is the right time to strike or whether the market is better left alone. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Rookie Race Just Got More Complicated Behind Sonny Styles
After six games, the Commanders rookie class has given Washington a few different reasons to keep watching. Linebacker Sonny Styles has been the most productive of the group so far, piling up tackles even as his PFF grades have trended down from the early part of the season. Behind him, the rookie cast is starting to look a little more varied, with Antonio Williams flashing late in a recent game and kicker Drew Stevens giving the team some stability in an area that often becomes an issue for first-year players.
Williams role is the one that now feels especially worth tracking as Washington moves deeper into the season. He made a couple of key catches when it mattered most, and the opportunity for a bigger workload is there as the offense reshuffles around a major injury. Stevens has also carved out a notable place in the rookie picture with a run of clean kicking, while offensive lineman Matt Gulbin remains in reserve after making one start and then disappearing from the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Enter Eagles Rematch With A Growing Receiver Concern
Stefon Diggs was back in full practice as the Commanders began sharpening their plan for a rematch with Philadelphia, a welcome sign for an offense trying to get healthier at the right time. Washington spent the bye week tweaking personnel groupings and defensive coordination, and the staff also brought in Wilks to help with game-planning, another sign this is a team trying to squeeze every edge out of the second meeting.
There is still some uncertainty in the receiver room, though, with Treylon Burks missing practice because of a foot injury and Terry McLaurin still on injured reserve. JerZhan Newtons 21-day practice window is open, but Washington still has to activate him before he can get back on the field, leaving the roster picture fluid as the Commanders wait to see which pieces are ready when the Eagles come back into view. [Read more 🡒]