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Evaluating these Commanders is an exercise in perspective
“[W]e lost three in a row last year,” safety Quan Martin added. “We’re not worried.”
But … should they be? The answer might be in the eye of the beholder. Through four games, these Commanders have shown a bit of everything — giving their most optimistic fans plenty of evidence to expect a midseason surge once quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin return from injuries while also leaving plenty of ammunition for their critics.
In games at home against the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, Washington put up at least 400 yards of offense — including more than 200 yards on the ground — and manhandled opposing offensive lines. They pummeled New York, 21-6, with a mostly healthy roster, then cruised against Las Vegas, 41-24, without Daniels and a host of other key pieces.
Road losses to Green Bay and Atlanta, though, were wildly different — with slow starts, less effective line play and sloppy tackling on defense, particularly Sunday in Atlanta.
Injuries, of course, have been a factor. The defense already has lost four key contributors to injured reserve, including starting defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr., who suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury at Green Bay, as well as one of the men tasked with replacing him, Javontae Jean-Baptiste. Coach Dan Quinn said Monday that Jean-Baptiste needs surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle suffered in the Falcons game. While Quinn didn’t rule out the possibility that the second-year player could return this season, he said the recovery from such an injury is “usually something that’s months, not weeks.”
On offense, the absences of Daniels (sprained left knee), McLaurin (quad), wide receiver Noah Brown (groin/knee) and tight end John Bates (calf/groin) have made it difficult to get a read on how strong the unit is — or can be. Running back Austin Ekeler, who tore his Achilles against Green Bay, is out for the season.
You could argue Sunday’s performance exposed a lack of offensive depth. Former practice squad wide receivers Chris Moore (40 snaps) and Tay Martin (nine snaps), for example, got substantial playing time and were targeted a combined four times. Or you could argue that it was actually a promising showing to score 27 points with so many key pieces out.
The tape from this loss might be ugly. But what does the result say about the rest of the season? Well, that’s still a question of perception. Daniels, the reigning offensive rookie of the year, has been ramping up in practice and could return as early as next weekend at the Los Angeles Chargers. The proverbial seesaw could flip back.
5 takeaways from Washington’s loss to Atlanta
Special teams is still performing well.
No unit was perfect for the Commanders, but their special teams group had another solid showing against the Falcons.
Most of the success came on the kickoff return unit, which featured Luke McCaffrey as the primary returner since Deebo Samuel took on more offensive snaps. McCaffrey had six returns for 199 yards, including a 58-yard return that set up Washington’s offense at the Falcons’ 41-yard line. That helped put the Commanders at the top of the league in average kickoff return yardage (33.7) and sixth in total yards (506).
Washington’s other special teams units delivered strong performances as well. Gay had his best game of the season so far with four field goals, giving him his first perfect day of the season. The punt team allowed zero return yards, and Tress Way had 89 yards on two punts.
It wasn’t a mistake-free day on special teams — Jaylin Lane was held in check as a punt returner and nearly gave the ball away on a muffed punt — but the group has continued to find ways to help put the offense in good positions.
Final thoughts | The ups and downs of a 2-2 start
— The Commanders had 12 missed tackles against the Falcons, which Quinn said was “too high” of a number, even though they knew going into the game that was one of Bijan Robinson’s strengths. Quinn said there’s plenty they can do to fix that issue, like working on improving their angles, but the team is not pleased with how it tackled on Sunday.
— The Commanders’ pass rush has generally been effective so far this season, but last Sunday’s game was a different situation, as Michael Penix Jr. was sacked just one time for six yards. Quinn thought the Falcons did a nice job early of getting rid of the ball quickly, but as the game went on, Penix had more time in the pocket than the Commanders would have liked. He thought the front could have run more stunts to put the offensive line in more disadvantageous situations. They couldn’t capitalize on the several chances they had to put pressure on Penix, and that will be something for the group to work on later this week.
Frankie Luvu : Notches first sack of season Sunday
Luvu finished Sunday’s Week 4 loss to Atlanta with eight tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks. Luvu tied for second on Washington with his eight stops. Among his tackles was a second-quarter sack of Falcons QB Michael Penix. It was Luvu’s first sack of the campaign after he recorded a career-best 8.0 regular-season sacks over 17 contests in 2024.
Problems mount for Commanders’ defense, particularly against motion
It’s still early. They’ve just got to execute better. They just have to get off the field.
That’s what the Washington Commanders’ defensive players say needs to happen. It’s why they say they’re not panicking. But it’s also what’s not happening enough — certainly not in the 34-27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
They didn’t get off the field. They didn’t execute. And if they’re not careful, it’ll get too late.
The problem wasn’t so much that the Commanders lost to Atlanta. They were missing five offensive starters, including quarterback Jayden Daniels and top wideout Terry McLaurin. Rather, it was how the defense played — and how many big plays it allowed — that was concerning.
In each of the next six weeks Washington’s opposing quarterback ranks in the top 15 for Total QBR — and four in the top nine. Five of them rank in the top 12 for pass plays that gain 15 yards or more; Washington ranks last in number of such plays allowed.
Communication breakdowns still plaguing Commanders’ secondary
The secondary looked lost and or beaten much of the day, Sunday, as Michael Penix had his best day by far this season.
More than a few times, Washington defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has mentioned that communication is a necessity.
Whitt discussed it during training camp, the preseason, last season, and this season. However, with the Commanders’ pass defense leaving the Falcons open repeatedly on Sunday, the question about communication in the secondary was bound to be raised on Monday when Dan Quinn conversed with the media.
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On a day when not much went right for the Commanders, their struggling kicker was (almost) perfect. Gay connected on all four of his field goal attempts, including one from 52 yards, to improve to 7 for 10 on the season. The only thing that could have made his performance better was if his onside kick after his 42-yard field goal with 1:29 remaining hadn’t bounced directly to Pitts.
Fail: Commanders’ pass rush
The Commanders saw their streak of eight consecutive regular season games with at least two sacks snapped; Frankie Luvu registered the only takedown of Penix. With ample time to operate in the pocket, Penix was 20 for 26 for a career-high 313 yards and two touchdowns. He completed nine consecutive passes during one stretch in the first half and led scoring drives on Atlanta’s first three possessions. The Falcons played nothing like the team that was shut out by Carolina last week.
After scoring the first touchdown of his career in last week’s win, the Commanders’ second-year wideout found the end zone again, on a five-yard pass from Mariota in the second quarter. McCaffrey, who finished with two catches for 21 yards, was even more impressive as a kick returner. He averaged 33.2 yards on six returns, including a 58-yarder he nearly took to the house. Washington managed only a field goal on that drive.
Commanders need to unleash Preston Smith after latest injury blow
It further depletes a position group that isn’t exactly blessed with great depth, to begin with. This leaves the Commanders with one move to offset the blow.
The Commanders recently signed veteran Preston Smith after a season-ending injury to Deatrich Wise Jr. This is his second spell in Washington after being drafted by the franchise at No. 38 overall in 2015. He spent four profitable years in D.C. before taking his game to new heights with the Green Bay Packers. Now, he’s back, and his get-up-to-speed process needs to increase significantly.
Smith has been a healthy scratch over the last two games as he gets himself into genuine football shape. With Jean-Baptiste now set for an extended spell on the sidelines, the Commanders have to get him ready to log reps this weekend on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Although Smith’s powers have declined over the last two years, he’s still got 70.5 career sacks to his name. No other pass-rusher in Washington boasts those credentials, so throwing him into the rotation is imperative with options dwindling.
Top 15 NFL rookies through Week 4
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders (83.4)
Croskey-Merritt played only eight snaps against the Falcons, but he carried the ball seven times for 47 yards. He opened up the second half with a 16-yard carry, one of his three first downs on the day. He also forced a missed tackle and averaged 4.4 yards after contact per attempt (eighth best). Despite the light workload, he produced a 78.0 PFF rushing grade (sixth best).
Croskey-Merritt leads all running backs in PFF rushing grade (90.6) entering Week 5. He has now gained 172 yards on 29 carries and is averaging 3.97 yards after contact. Croskey-Merritt has forced seven missed tackles and has tallied four rushes of 10-plus yards, with his longest gaining 42 yards.
NFL Week 4 Recap: Commanders fall to Falcons 27-34 | Booth Review | Washington Commanders | NFL
Washington Commanders vs Atlanta Falcons Game Highlights | 2025 NFL Season Week 4
Offense ranks 1st, but Cowboys defense is dead last after 4 weeks
Last night, the Dallas Cowboys went blow for blow with the Green Bay Packers without CeeDee Lamb or Tyler Booker in a game that nobody gave them a chance to win.
I totally understood why that was the case, but through four weeks, the Cowboys have the No. 1 offense in the NFL entering Monday Night Football at 404.3 yards per game.
They have the WORST defense, sitting at No. 32 defense at 420.5 yards given up per game.
Let’s be honest with ourselves here, this was probably the best game Dak Prescott has ever played.
They needed everything they got from him, and he went blow for blow with the team everyone had as Super Bowl champs after three weeks. A defense that was second in scoring coming into this game.
Dak lit them up and that is what he is going to have to do every single game if this team wants a chance.
Seriously, what is going on with this Eagles offense?
You could envision a scenario this year where, under a first time play-caller in Kevin Patullo, the offense struggled to find its identity in the early part of the season, struggling to move the football and put up some low-scoring efforts. You could also envision a scenario where an offense that returned 10 of 11 starters, most of them Pro Bowlers who have played with each other for the last three seasons, led by a franchise QB who is beginning his fifth season as a starter with more talent around him than any team in the league, would hit the ground running, even with a first time play-caller.
Over the last two weeks, we’ve seen both scenarios play out, segmented into two separate halves in each game. The differences between the two version of the offense have been jarring to watch, and confounding.
The offense shouldn’t be like this. It makes absolutely zero sense for it to be like this.
[I]t’s mystifying that an offense that is this familiar with each other and that has shown the ability to play at a high level, could also be as hot-and-cold as they are, in-game. It hasn’t cost them yet, but the concern is valid that, one of these weeks, it will.
Giants lose star wide receiver for season with torn ACL
An MRI Monday confirmed the New York Giants’ fears that star wide receiver Malik Nabers is out for the remainder of the 2025 season with a torn ACL suffered Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Nabers collapsed to the MetLife Stadium with 6:18 left in the first half Sunday when his right leg buckled while he was trying to compete for a long pass from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. Nabers was carted off the field.
Nabers had two catches for 20 yards before being injured in the 21-18 victory over the Chargers.
How will the Giants replace him?
That is virtually impossible. There is no way to acquire a receiver as talented as Nabers right now.
The Giants turned to the little-used Jalin Hyatt and undrafted rookie free agent Beaux Collins during Sunday’s game. Hyatt played 29 snaps and Collins 21. Neither was targeted.
On the free agent market, of course former Giant Odell Beckham Jr. is still looking for work. Beckham, though, is 32 and a shell of the great player Giants fans remember. He caught nine passes in nine games for the Miami Dolphins a year ago.
2 winners, 2 losers from Chargers-Giants: Hampton, Johnston put up numbers despite loss
Left tackle Joe Alt left the Giants game in the first quarter after getting rolled up on. Later it was deemed that he suffered a high ankle sprain that will likely sideline him for a handful of weeks.
Without him, Austin Deculus took over at left tackle. That wasn’t idea after the Chargers already entered the game without right guard Mekhi Becton who is still in the concussion protocol.
By the end of the game, Herbert was pressured 21 times. Deculus allowed a team-high six. Jamaree Salyer was behind him with five and Bozeman was third with four.
That’s just no acceptable. At all.
Herbert has been hit 40 times in the last two games. At some point, these guys up front have to look within themselves and decide whether or not they’re going to continue being punching bags on the way to the quarterback or if they’re gonna put their foot down and say enough is enough.
I’m really not sure what’s happening with the team’s WR1 from a year ago. This was the first game in his young career that McConkey had less than two receptions and certainly his first where he had more drops than completions his way (two). When McConkey dropped the surefire first down on the opening drive, you just knew it was going to be a day to forget.
Through four games, McConkey has 16 catches for 174 yards and zero touchdowns. The numbers will grow as the regression to the mean hits, but right now things are not looking all that hot.
Broncos, defense jump on Bengals early, snap 2-game skid
By winning their first two games of the season, the Bengals were off to their best start during coach Zac Taylor’s tenure. But that feels like a distant memory, even though it was just two weeks ago.
Last week, Cincinnati was handed its worst loss in franchise history, a 38-point defeat on the road against the Vikings. Monday’s loss to the Broncos didn’t feature the turnovers that plagued Cincinnati a week ago, but the longer the game went on, the more it carried the same vibe. Both games had one thing in common: The offense mustered just three points through the first three quarters.
But this defeat could be more concerning. This was as comprehensive a defeat as the Bengals have suffered in some time. Cincinnati’s offense never got rolling. The defense was gashed throughout the night. And the Bengals were whistled for 11 penalties for 65 yards, with several of those coming while the outcome was still in question. And it will not get any easier with games against NFC powers Detroit and Green Bay coming up next.
Tyreek Hill injury: What it means for recovery, the Dolphins
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill likely will miss at least the remainder of the 2025 regular season after suffering a dislocated left knee in Monday night’s 27-21 win over the New York Jets.
All we can say at this point is that Hill’s 2025 season is over. The timetable for recovery is dependent on which structures are specifically involved and the extent of surgical repair.
The expectations for recovery are predicated on the specifics of the injury and the surgery or surgeries. There have been athletes who have returned to their sport following a knee dislocation, but it is hard to compare one player’s situation to another’s given the variance between injuries.
Marcus Lattimore comes to mind as a player who suffered a memorable in-game knee dislocation that resulted in his leg being visibly repositioned. Lattimore, a running back at South Carolina at the time, took a helmet to the knee against Tennessee in 2012 that resulted in an immediate dislocation. He was fortunate to not suffer either arterial or nerve damage, but it was still a complex multiple-ligament injury that required months of rehabilitation. Prior to getting hurt, Lattimore was expected to be a first-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft. He fell to the fourth round, where the San Francisco 49ers selected him, but would never play in an NFL game.
Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb also dislocated his knee in college. In 2015, as a sophomore at Georgia, Chubb dislocated his left knee, tearing the MCL, LCL and PCL — three of the four primary stabilizing ligaments of the knee — and sustaining cartilage damage. As devastating as that injury was, Chubb also was fortunate to not suffer nerve or arterial damage. He underwent reconstructive surgery, rehabbed his knee and returned to play the 2016 season, during which he posted over 1,000 yards rushing for the Bulldogs.
Hill agreed to a restructured contract last offseason that added $65 million in guaranteed money to the four-year, $120 deal he signed in 2022. Without knowing his recovery timetable, it’s tricky to speculate on his future with the team — but there is a digestible out for the team next offseason.
A post-June 1 cut or trade would save Miami $36 million in salary cap space, while creating roughly $15.9 million in dead cap in 2026 and $12.4 million in 2027. Hill will be 32 years old when the 2026 campaign begins and coming off the worst two-year stretch of his career (1,224 yards and seven TDs in 21 games).
Judging biggest overreactions for NFL Week 4 games
This is the year the Falcons overtake the Buccaneers to win the NFC South
The Bucs almost orchestrated yet another late-game comeback but fell short for the first time this season. While the Falcons were racking up touchdown after touchdown in Atlanta, the Bucs were at home giving up special teams touchdowns and falling behind 24-3 to the Eagles before their offense got going.
What do you mean? They won their first game of the season on Sunday! They beat the previously unbeaten Chargers to do it! Rookie QB Jaxson Dart looked as exciting as we all hoped he would! Cam Skattebo!!!! What’s there to be upset about??? Oh … right.
Star wide receiver Malik Nabers injured his knee, and it sounds like it could end his season. Dart had to leave the game because of an injury, too, but he returned, so that was some good news. But if you’re a Giants fan, you’re probably at least as upset about the Nabers injury as you are happy about the win.
But only because I don’t believe in curses.
The Titans will have the first pick in the draft again next year
Wow, do the Titans look bad. They lost 26-0 on Sunday to the previously winless Texans, who hadn’t done much on offense in the first three weeks. Houston has a really good defense, but still, 175 total yards of offense and 10 first downs is not a representative performance from an NFL team in the 2020s. The 1920s, maybe, but not the 2020s.
Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the top pick in the 2025 draft, shows a lot of promise but hasn’t gotten going as his teammates have failed to come together in any meaningful way. Tennessee is 0-4 and has been outscored 120-51 this season. If there’s a turnaround coming, it will need to announce itself soon because September didn’t leave Titans fans with much reason for optimism.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Someone must pick first, and no one has looked worse than the Titans.