The play that should have put the Washington Commanders in control turned into another one of those moments they’ll be talking about long after Sunday night ended.
With the Commanders leading 16-10 in the fourth quarter, cornerback Trey Amos stepped in front of Tanner McKee and came away with an interception deep in Philadelphia territory. Washington looked set to take over at the Eagles’ 29-yard line, already close enough for a field goal and in position to stretch the lead to two possessions.
Then the flag came out.
Officials called Commanders linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson for roughing the passer, and the interception was wiped away. Instead of Washington getting the ball in prime field position, the Eagles got a fresh first down.
It was the kind of call that immediately had Washington fans bracing for the worst, and it wasn’t the first time this season they’ve seen a big defensive play disappear in the fourth quarter. In the Week 5 tie against the Giants, Amik Robertson intercepted Jameis Winston with Washington up by two touchdowns, only for the play to be erased by a weak pass-interference call on Robertson. New York scored on the next snap.
Washington has also had touchdowns wiped out by penalties this season, some deserved and some that felt a lot more debatable.
Chaisson wasn’t hiding how he felt about the latest one.
“Obviously, we gotta be careful how we speak on that, but, I mean, some of those calls are questionable,” Chaisson. “I gotta do better; I can’t put my team in harm’s way for sure, but obviously with stakes being what it is tonight, the Sunday night game, the referees been under a lot of scrutiny, with the calls they’ve made throughout the year.
So, I know they’re trying to do their part and protect the game, and make sure they play it both sides fair. With grace give it to them.”
The expression on his face said plenty before he even started talking. The frustration was obvious, and so was the understanding that saying too much in that moment wouldn’t help.
Even with the penalty hanging over the sequence, Chaisson was one of Washington’s most active defenders all night. He spent plenty of time in McKee’s face and finished with a sack, a strong individual performance that only made the disputed call sting more.
In Other News...
Trey Amos Is Giving Commanders Fans A Reason To Believe In This Secondary
Trey Amos has started to look like one of the more encouraging pieces in Washingtons young secondary. The 2025 second-round pick returned from injury in Week 6 and has quickly settled back in as a steady presence, flashing the kind of coverage skills the Commanders hoped to see when they drafted him. In Sunday nights win over Philadelphia, Amos was again part of a defensive effort that gave Washington fans a little more reason to trust what this back end might become.
The bigger takeaway is not just that Amos has been active around the ball, but that he has helped limit what opposing receivers can do when targeted. Multiple pass deflections and a knack for staying in phase have made him stand out during a stretch when the Commanders are looking for defensive stability to take hold. For a team trying to build something lasting on that side of the ball, Amos is already making the case that he can be part of the answer. [Read more 🡒]
Sonny Styles Is Already Rewarding Washingtons Biggest Draft Gamble
Seven games into his NFL career, Sonny Styles already looks like the kind of rookie linebacker Washington can build around. The Commanders have seen enough to feel good about their decision to make him a centerpiece of the defense, and the early returns have matched the buzz that followed him into the league. His athleticism, feel for the position and ability to affect plays have stood out enough that he is already drawing praise as more than just a promising young defender.
The latest reminder came in a prime-time setting against Philadelphia, where Styles once again showed why Washington was willing to make such a bold draft move. For a team trying to raise the ceiling of its defense, the encouraging part is not just what he has done so far, but how quickly he has started to look comfortable in a demanding role. The bigger question now is how far that growth can go, and how soon he can turn a hot start into something even more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Offense Suddenly Has Another Injury Worry After Eagles Win
The Commanders picked up a needed win over Philadelphia in Week 8, but the victory came with another offensive concern layered on top of an already battered roster. Jeremy McNichols suffered a foot injury during the game and is now undergoing additional testing, leaving the team waiting to learn whether the issue will cost him more time.
McNichols had only recently come back from injured reserve after dealing with a quad injury, so the timing makes the setback especially frustrating. Washington is already navigating major offensive losses, including season-ending injuries to Terry McLaurin and Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and the latest uncertainty only adds to the pressure on a unit trying to stay afloat. [Read more 🡒]