The Washington Commanders are set to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8 on Monday Night Football.

Entering this week, the Commanders have lost two games in a row and are now under .500 for the first time since Week 1 of the 2024 season. If the Commanders want to get back on the winning track, they’ll have to do it without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels as he will miss this game with a hamstring injury.

While the Commanders have lost two in a row, the Chiefs enter this game having won two in a row. It’s been an up-and-down season for the Chiefs, but Patrick Mahomes has been playing like his elite self lately and this won’t be an easy game by any means.

Now, let’s identify what the Commanders need to do to win against the Chiefs on primetime.

Establish the run game early

Against the Chicago Bears two weeks away, Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the Commanders in rushing with 61 yards. Last week against the Cowboys, Jayden Daniels led the team in rushing with just 35 yards.

That simply isn’t good enough, and it’s not a coincidence the team lost both of those games. If Croskey-Merritt gets going early in Week 8, the Commanders should have a good chance to win. The Chiefs are a mediocre run defense, so it shouldn’t be hard to get going. Marcus Mariota can use his legs as well, and it would help if he could break some long runs.

The secondary has to play better

On paper, this is a terrible matchup for the Commanders’ defense. The team’s secondary has been bad lately, and allowed CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens to both have big games last weekend.

The Chiefs have an elite pass attack as well, and there are plenty of weapons like Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce that can hurt you. Marshon Lattimore, in particular, has to play better in Week 8 than he has lately if the Commanders have any chance. Don’t let Mahomes hit the home run plays and you can keep this game within in reach.

Find a way to get pressure on Mahomes

It’s not going to be easy, but the Commanders need to find a way to pressure Mahomes and make him uneasy.

The Chiefs have been solid in pass protection this year, though, as the team is only allowing 1.6 sacks per game. Additionally, the Commanders recently lost Dorance Armstrong for the year, and Armstrong leads the team with 5.5 sacks. Going against a solid offensive line without your top pass-rusher isn’t ideal, so the Commanders are going to need someone to step up and make some plays.

Protect Marcus Mariota and allow plays to develop

Getting to Mahomes is going to be important, but just as is important is going to be protecting Marcus Mariota.

The Chiefs can get after the quarterback. Four different players have at least two sacks already, and George Karlaftis leads the way with 4.5. The Commanders haven’t been the best in pass protection this year, either, as the team allows 2.6 sacks per game. Mariota has traditionally struggled, like most quarterbacks do, when he’s constantly under pressure. Allow plays to develop, though, and Mariota can make things happen.