The Washington Commanders fell to the Atlanta Falcons 34-27 on Sunday, bringing their 2025 regular season record to 2-2. It means they split the two games Jayden Daniels has missed, but the most recent loss doesn’t fall on the shoulders of backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. No, the loss falls on the defense, which was unable to stop the Falcons’ passing game.

The Commanders‘ defensive front took hits with injuries early in the season, but that doesn’t explain what’s happening in the secondary. Marshon Lattimore is struggling, Mike Sainristil doesn’t resemble the same player he was a year ago, and rookie Trey Amos has been the team’s top cornerback. The Commanders lost veteran corner Jonathan Jones to injured reserve. At safety, Will Harris fractured his fibula, while Percy Butler missed last week’s game. Quan Martin has remained in the lineup, but, like Sainristil, doesn’t quite resemble the player he was in 2024.

Injuries aside, the Commanders’ defense needs some serious help. Offensively, the issues don’t seem to be as big a problem, so defensive coordinator Joe Whitt has to get a handle on his guys before they face the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Week 5.

Let’s take a look at what fans and analysts are talking about with the Commanders as we head into Week 5 action.

Poor defensive play

The Commanders’ defense is, by far, its weakest link, allowing the Falcons to put up 435 total yards of offense on them in Week 4. This is the same Falcons’ team that the Carolina Panthers shut out in Week 3, a 30-0 shellacking from a division rival. Unacceptable is an understatement, considering they also allowed the Las Vegas Raiders to rack up 354 total yards, and the Green Bay Packers had 404 total yards, while holding the New York Giants to 261 total yards.

The Chargers have played very well this season, losing last week to the Giants on the road in New York’s first win of the season. And that’s the only loss the Chargers have this season. People are taking notice, too, and understand that something has to change from a defensive standpoint.

If the defense for the Washington Commanders doesn’t get better soon, we are in for a long azz season. #RaiseHail

— Linda Taylor (@LT3aylor3) September 30, 2025Injuries

The Commanders have been without several players for a few games, and some of them will not be returning this season. Deatrich Wise was lost for the season, requiring surgery on his quadriceps muscle. Jonathan Jones is on injured reserve with a designation to return, but it is unclear if or when that will occur. Jayden Daniels has missed two games due to a knee injury, as have John Bates (groin) and Noah Brown (groin/knee). Terry McLaurin missed last week’s game, while Austin Ekeler is done for the season, and there are others with nagging injuries they are playing through.

The Commanders hope to get Daniels back this week, as well as McLaurin, but we won’t know unless they practice.

John Bates on returning for the Commanders in Week 5: “I’m hoping that’s the case…I think I’m going to get phased back into practice this week.”

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) September 30, 2025Joe Whitt controversy

Some fans and analysts want to blame Whitt for the Commanders’ defensive failures, while others want to keep him around.

@Commanders if Whitt Jr. is still DC in the morning. Washington is an unserious team. This is Dan Snyder Era football. Totally unprepared and uninspired

— Bjjace1 (@bjjace) September 28, 2025A couple of bright spots

Behind every loss, behind every team that’s struggling, there are always positive things to take away from it. For the Commanders, the offense has plenty of weapons and is working well together, regardless of who lines up under center. Deebo Samuel has emerged as a reliable target, the offensive line looks much better this year, and the Commanders are still scoring points.