Game details

N.Y. Giants (0-1) at Washington (0-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox

BetMGM NFL Odds: Commanders by 1 1/2

Against the spread: New York 0-1; Washington 0-1

Series record: Giants lead 108-71-5.

Last meeting: Giants beat Commanders 31-19 on Nov. 19, 2023, at Washington.

Last week: Giants lost to Vikings 28-6; Commanders lost to Buccaneers 37-20.

Giants offense: overall (26), rush (27), pass (17), scoring (32)

Giants defense: overall (19), rush (15), pass (21), scoring (t-9)

Commanders offense: overall (17), rush (19), pass (19), scoring (t-21)

Commanders defense: overall (26), rush (16), pass (29), scoring (31)

Turnover differential: Giants even; Commanders even

Commanders player to watch

CB Benjamin St-Juste got lit up by Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans last week. Although St-Juste was not solely to blame — a lack of a pass rush did not help — he could be tested again by Daniel Jones throwing over and over to Darius Slayton or first-round pick Malik Nabers.

Giants player to watch

LB Kayvon Thibodeaux has 5 1/2 sacks, seven tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in four games against Washington. He aims for his fifth consecutive game against Washington with a sack. He also should be motivated after getting one quarterback hurry and making no tackles in the opener.

Key matchup

Giants defense vs. the Commanders offensive line. Brian Burns and Thibodeaux were hardly difference-makers against Minnesota, and Washington is motivated to keep rookie QB Jayden Daniels upright and healthy. Daniels is expected to run less and stay in the pocket more, so there will be extra opportunities for New York to force the issue and more time for the offensive line to block.

Key injuries

Giants returner Gunner Olszewski (groin), CB Nick McCloud (knee) and rookie LB Darius Muasau (knee) were ruled out. … Slayton is a game-time decision after going through concussion protocol. … Nabers was limited in practice Thursday because of a knee injury before being full go Friday. … PK Graham Gano (groin) was added to the list Saturday but he is expected to play. … Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes is out after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. … DE Clelin Ferrell (knee), S Quan Martin (hamstring) and rookie DT Johnny Newton (foot) are questionable. Newton could make his NFL debut after missing Week 1 following offseason surgery.

Series notes

The Giants have won the past three and are unbeaten in four, including a 20-20 tie on Dec. 4, 2022. The last Washington win was 22-7 on Jan. 9, 2021, the final game for then-New York GM Dave Gettleman and coach Joe Judge. The Giants had so little offense, Judge elected to have quarterback Jake Fromm run sneaks on second and third down inside his 5 in the second quarter. … This is Dan Quinn’s first game against the Giants as a head coach since Oct. 22, 2018, with Atlanta. He coached against them six times over the previous three seasons as Dallas’ defensive coordinator.

Stats and stuff

Giants QB Daniel Jones is 5-1-1 in seven starts against Washington. He has thrown 10 TDs and run for one with three interceptions. Coming off ACL surgery, he struggled in the opener, completing 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards and two interceptions, including a pick-6. … RB Devin Singletary was limited to 37 yards rushing against Minnesota as the Giants fell behind and threw more. … Nabers had five catches for 66 yards in NFL debut, including two 25-yard receptions. … WR Wan’Dale Robinson had team-high six catches for 44 yards. … DT Dexter Lawrence had New York’s only sack last week, the 22nd of his career. … LB Bobby Okereke had a fumble recovery last week. He had 14 tackles and two forced fumbles in these teams’ last meeting. … Muasau had six tackles and his first interception against Minnesota. … Daniels was 17 of 24 for 184 yards and ran 16 times for 88 yards and two TDs in his NFL debut. … RBs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combined to catch seven passes for 101 yards against the Buccaneers. … WR Terry McLaurin was targeted just four times and made two catches for 17 yards in the season opener. … Zach Ertz is 38 yards away from becoming the 12th tight end in league history to reach 7,500 yards receiving. … DT Jonathan Allen is one sack from tying Brian Orakpo for sixth in Washington’s franchise history, since sacks became an official stat in 1982. … LB Bobby Wagner led the team with 10 tackles, including three for loss, in the opener. … Washington has a new kicker in Austin Seibert after cutting Cade York earlier in the week. York missed his two field goal attempts wide right last week.

Fantasy tip

Nabers could be Jones’ primary target, and the Commanders’ secondary is at best a work in progress and at worst has no answers in the passing game. Jones’ success against Washington in his career also should give pause to anyone thinking about picking up the Commanders defense.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Rael Enteen was fired, a Commanders source told News4’s JP Finlay a day after the team suspended him.

It does not appear Enteen was aware he was being recorded.

The Commanders released a statement Wednesday reading: “The language used in the video runs counter to our values at the Commanders organization. We have suspended the employee pending an internal investigation and will reserve further comment at this time.”

An outlet named O’Keefe Media Group published the video.

James O’Keefe is the CEO and creator. He was the founder of Project Veritas, which was a conservative activist group known for its use of undercover stings and other deceptive tactics in an effort to discredit mainstream media organizations and progressive groups.

O’Keefe responded to a request for comment in a video posted on Tuesday. 

“I’m not discrediting him. I’m actually, um, crediting him, showing him saying things in his, um, own words. It’s his words and I’m publishing his words that, um, came out of his mouth and it’s on video,” he said. 

It does not appear Rael Enteen was aware he was being recorded.

The Commanders released a statement reading: “The language used in the video runs counter to our values at the Commanders organization. We have suspended the employee pending an internal investigation and will reserve further comment at this time.”

An outlet named O’Keefe Media Group published the video.

James O’Keefe is the CEO and creator. He was the founder of Project Veritas, which was a conservative activist group known for its use of undercover stings and other deceptive tactics in an effort to discredit mainstream media organizations and progressive groups.

O’Keefe responded to a request for comment in a video posted on Tuesday. 

“I’m not discrediting him. I’m actually, um, crediting him, showing him saying things in his, um, own words. It’s his words and I’m publishing his words that, um, came out of his mouth and it’s on video,” he said. 

“Yeah, I think we’re going to get that done,” he said. “I mean, we’re talking to the league about it. It’s a question of timing and it’s going to be a few years off. They plan way in advance.”

Harris wants the draft to be held on the National Mall.

“Think about the idea of having — and I’m not breaking news here, it’s not done yet — but think about a draft on the Mall or whatever and how exciting that would be for the city of Washington, for the NFL,” he said.

Washington Commanders Aug 26

Josh Harris says he's ‘incredibly motivated' to move Commanders to DC

Washington Commanders Aug 26

Commanders announce new Sean Taylor statue after 1st was criticized

Last month, the Washington Post reported D.C. has been in talks with the National Park Service and the NFL about hosting the draft in 2027.

“There’s things that need to get done, but I think that, I believe that it will happen, and it’s a question of when,” Harris said.

Harris told reporters that Congress has to act this year, though, to keep D.C. in the running.

In some of his most pro-D.C. comments yet, Harris said Sunday that his heart is pulling him toward D.C. as the site of the team’s next stadium.

“Some of my earliest memories were of Washington football and walking into RFK,” he said. “[…] So, I’m incredibly motivated to bring it back.”

“This is emotional for me. You know, it’s not just business. It’s about the city, the franchise, the fans and doing what’s right to bring the team back to where it needs to be,” he continued.

Harris said, though, that he doesn’t want to wait until 2025 for the Senate to approve legislation giving D.C. control of the RFK Stadium land so a stadium can be built.

“It’s not really realistic to think that’s gonna happen before the election,” he said.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, who’s been a champion for moving the team back to D.C., said she’s in communication with Harris.

“It is clear to a lot of people that the best site in the region is one that is centrally located, it’s on Metro. It’s been a stadium, and it has also just a lot of emotional attachment for players and fans,” she told News4 on Monday.

Washington Commanders Aug 26

Commanders announce new Sean Taylor statue after 1st was criticized

Washington Commanders Aug 26

Commanders plan new Sean Taylor statue after 1st was criticized

Washington DC Aug 18

Dan Quinn: Commanders' myth buster?

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If the Senate fails to approve the RFK legislation this year, Harris would not commit to delaying a decision until next year, when a new Congress and administration are sworn in.

Harris targeted 2030 as the year he would like to see a new stadium open, wherever it’s built.

Taylor’s daughter, Jackie Taylor, made the announcement in a video posted on the team’s social media pages.

“I’m excited to announce along with the Washington Commanders plans to unveil a statue to honor my dad. I’m thankful for Josh Harris and the Commanders family for their continued commitment to keep my dad’s legacy alive,” Jackie Taylor said.

The Commanders unveiled a memorial for Taylor in November 2022, on the 15th anniversary of the star player’s death. Taylor was killed during a home invasion in 2007.

A hard-hitting safety and two-time pro-bowler, Taylor quickly became a fan favorite in D.C., and his tragic death made as much of an impact on the region as his life and career did.

To honor him, a full football uniform, complete with helmet, iconic #21 jersey and Taylor’s signature soccer cleats, now sits in a glass case at FedEx Field. It looked almost ghostly on a series of near-invisible wires.

Taylor’s family shared positive reactions, but many fans were disappointed. Some said the statue looked less like a memorial and more like something you’d see in the team shop.

“This is embarrassing,” one fan said on social media. “Complete lack of effort on your part.”

A team spokesperson released a statement, saying that installation fell short and it would be updated.

The installation was put in place when Dan Snyder still owned the team. Now, under new ownership, the team is set to collaborate with Taylor’s family on plans for the new memorial. There’s no word yet on when it could be unveiled.

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Maye, the rookie from North Carolina battling Jacoby Brissett for the starting job, made a good case, while the offensive line made it clear why first-year coach Jerod Mayo might not want to throw him in right away.

Brissett started the first series, and was sacked hard by defensive lineman K.J. Henry. Brissett finished the series, but left after that and the Patriots listed him as having a right shoulder injury.

Mayo said that Brissett would have been able to continue playing had it been a regular-season game, and he will be evaluated again Monday.

Maye then finished the first half, throwing an 18-yard scoring pass to Kevin Harris. The Patriots finished the preseason 1-2.

Mayo seemed to tip his hand on the upcoming quarterback decision when asked if he would allow Maye to back up Brissett if Brissett wins the starting job.

“I would like to sit here and say 100%, he’s our second-best quarterback on our roster right now,” Mayo said about Maye. “I’m not sure until I watch the film.”

Maye got little help from his offensive line, which was flagged eight times in the first half for false start, holding or illegal formation. At one point, Maye’s shoe flew off because he was stepped on so hard by left guard Sidy Sow. Brissett’s injury came on a play where two blockers ran into each other.

That could influence Mayo’s decision, particularly given that Washington did not play any of its starters on either side of the ball. Maye said he’s up for a Week 1 start if called upon.

“I think I’m ready for whatever this football team asks of me,” said Maye, the No. 3 overall draft pick.

Mayo said he was unhappy with the “undisciplined football” the line played, and added that the team will be aggressive in improving over the next week.

“Our job is to always look for better players,” Mayo said. “We’ll be very active on the waiver wire. There will be some good football players out there on the street, and we’ll try to get this team better.”

Commanders coach Dan Quinn, meanwhile, was content to run out the clock on the preseason, with quarterback Jayden Daniels among the 34 players sitting out Sunday.

Martavis Bryant caught a touchdown pass with 3:06 left to seal the victory for the Commanders (1-2).

Washington Commanders Aug 23

Training camp comes to a close for Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders Aug 19

Jayden Daniels officially named Commanders starting QB

Washington DC Aug 18

Dan Quinn: Commanders' myth buster?

D-line intrigue

The Commanders will have tough decisions to make at defensive tackle, particularly after a pair of strong performances against the Patriots.

Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne will be the starters, and rookie Johnny Newton is assured of a spot. On Sunday night, Phidarian Mathis and John Ridgeway both made strong final statements in the push to make the 53-man roster when it is announced Tuesday.

“I really felt his energy,” Quinn said about Mathis. “The guys did, too. So it was really cool to see him. We’ve had good conversations with he and some of the other guys about specifically what we’re looking for.

“Certainly (we’ll) go look at the tape but it was cool to see. I thought John had a couple big hits. The big guys were really pushing inside.”

Getting their kicks

New England kicker Joey Slye returned to Washington, where he played last year, and was allowed to try a 64-yard field goal just before halftime, which fell short, and a 60-yarder at the end of the game, which he missed left.

Sunday marked the first preseason action for Washington kicker Cade York, who was acquired in a trade with Cleveland earlier in the week. York was 2 for 2, from 34 and 33 yards.

Quinn said he deliberately passed up fourth-down attempts to give York some practice.

“In this one we were really wanted to make sure he had some chances to hit his kicks if those moments were there, so that’s what we did,” Quinn said.

Up next

Patriots: Open the regular season at Cincinnati on Sept. 8.

Commanders: Open the regular season at Tampa Bay on Sept. 8.

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The deal is pending York passing a physical.

York was drafted by the Browns in the fourth round in 2022 after starring at LSU. He spent one season with Cleveland before being released by the team when he struggled during training camp and exhibition games last season.

Now he’s on his way to Washington, which has been searching for a kicker since releasing Brandon McManus in June, when two women accused him of sexually assaulting them on a flight when he was with Jacksonville.

York handled the kicking duties during the exhibition season for Cleveland while Dustin Hopkins recovers from a hamstring injury. The Browns signed Hopkins to a three-year, $15.9 million contract extension in July.

Hopkins returned to practice this week and is expected to play in Saturday’s preseason finale in Seattle.

York made a 55-yard field goal in the preseason opener against Green Bay and a 33-yarder last week against Minnesota.

Washington Commanders Aug 22

Commanders trade wide receiver Jahan Dotson to NFC East rival Eagles

Washington Commanders Aug 19

Jayden Daniels officially named Commanders starting QB

Washington DC Aug 18

Dan Quinn: Commanders' myth buster?

The 23-year-old York said he had turned his life around during the offseason by finding his faith. He had hit rock bottom eight months ago when an injury prevented him from being called up by the New York Giants practice squad.

The Browns were so enticed by York’s powerful leg that they took him with the No. 124 overall selection in 2022. He made a game-winning, 58-yard kick in the final seconds to beat Carolina and had a relatively strong rookie season, making 24 of 32 field goals.

However, he struggled during last year’s exhibitions and the Browns cut him after a poor performance against Kansas City.

Dotson, a first-rounder out of Penn State in 2022, is one of several high draft picks from the previous regime under Ron Rivera who did not look to be part of the long-term plan moving forward with new general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn.

Washington’s first-round selections in 2023, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, and 2021, linebacker Jamin Davis, have also been buried on the depth chart.

The Commanders could have a roster turnover of more than 50% when the season opens.

Dotson had 49 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns last season and should serve in Philadelphia as the No. 3 receiver behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Washington Commanders Aug 19

Jayden Daniels officially named Commanders starting QB

Washington DC Aug 18

Dan Quinn: Commanders' myth buster?

Washington Commanders Aug 17

Jayden Daniels again shines in preseason, but doesn't slide

The 5-foot-11 Dotson brings needed speed and explosiveness and fills a dire need as that third option.

The Eagles had tried a combination of receivers in camp that included Britain Covey and Johnny Wilson, but it was clear a more reliable option was needed.

“I think it’s been an awesome battle for this receiver room,” Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said this week. “Obviously A.J. and DeVonta have done an excellent job. I think we have got a really fun group of different skillsets, and they have all been able to highlight those skillsets and it’s a really fun process for the guys.”

Game details

N.Y. Giants (0-1) at Washington (0-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox

BetMGM NFL Odds: Commanders by 1 1/2

Against the spread: New York 0-1; Washington 0-1

Series record: Giants lead 108-71-5.

Last meeting: Giants beat Commanders 31-19 on Nov. 19, 2023, at Washington.

Last week: Giants lost to Vikings 28-6; Commanders lost to Buccaneers 37-20.

Giants offense: overall (26), rush (27), pass (17), scoring (32)

Giants defense: overall (19), rush (15), pass (21), scoring (t-9)

Commanders offense: overall (17), rush (19), pass (19), scoring (t-21)

Commanders defense: overall (26), rush (16), pass (29), scoring (31)

Turnover differential: Giants even; Commanders even

Commanders player to watch

CB Benjamin St-Juste got lit up by Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans last week. Although St-Juste was not solely to blame — a lack of a pass rush did not help — he could be tested again by Daniel Jones throwing over and over to Darius Slayton or first-round pick Malik Nabers.

Giants player to watch

LB Kayvon Thibodeaux has 5 1/2 sacks, seven tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in four games against Washington. He aims for his fifth consecutive game against Washington with a sack. He also should be motivated after getting one quarterback hurry and making no tackles in the opener.

Key matchup

Giants defense vs. the Commanders offensive line. Brian Burns and Thibodeaux were hardly difference-makers against Minnesota, and Washington is motivated to keep rookie QB Jayden Daniels upright and healthy. Daniels is expected to run less and stay in the pocket more, so there will be extra opportunities for New York to force the issue and more time for the offensive line to block.

Key injuries

Giants returner Gunner Olszewski (groin), CB Nick McCloud (knee) and rookie LB Darius Muasau (knee) were ruled out. … Slayton is a game-time decision after going through concussion protocol. … Nabers was limited in practice Thursday because of a knee injury before being full go Friday. … PK Graham Gano (groin) was added to the list Saturday but he is expected to play. … Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes is out after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. … DE Clelin Ferrell (knee), S Quan Martin (hamstring) and rookie DT Johnny Newton (foot) are questionable. Newton could make his NFL debut after missing Week 1 following offseason surgery.

Series notes

The Giants have won the past three and are unbeaten in four, including a 20-20 tie on Dec. 4, 2022. The last Washington win was 22-7 on Jan. 9, 2021, the final game for then-New York GM Dave Gettleman and coach Joe Judge. The Giants had so little offense, Judge elected to have quarterback Jake Fromm run sneaks on second and third down inside his 5 in the second quarter. … This is Dan Quinn’s first game against the Giants as a head coach since Oct. 22, 2018, with Atlanta. He coached against them six times over the previous three seasons as Dallas’ defensive coordinator.

Stats and stuff

Giants QB Daniel Jones is 5-1-1 in seven starts against Washington. He has thrown 10 TDs and run for one with three interceptions. Coming off ACL surgery, he struggled in the opener, completing 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards and two interceptions, including a pick-6. … RB Devin Singletary was limited to 37 yards rushing against Minnesota as the Giants fell behind and threw more. … Nabers had five catches for 66 yards in NFL debut, including two 25-yard receptions. … WR Wan’Dale Robinson had team-high six catches for 44 yards. … DT Dexter Lawrence had New York’s only sack last week, the 22nd of his career. … LB Bobby Okereke had a fumble recovery last week. He had 14 tackles and two forced fumbles in these teams’ last meeting. … Muasau had six tackles and his first interception against Minnesota. … Daniels was 17 of 24 for 184 yards and ran 16 times for 88 yards and two TDs in his NFL debut. … RBs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combined to catch seven passes for 101 yards against the Buccaneers. … WR Terry McLaurin was targeted just four times and made two catches for 17 yards in the season opener. … Zach Ertz is 38 yards away from becoming the 12th tight end in league history to reach 7,500 yards receiving. … DT Jonathan Allen is one sack from tying Brian Orakpo for sixth in Washington’s franchise history, since sacks became an official stat in 1982. … LB Bobby Wagner led the team with 10 tackles, including three for loss, in the opener. … Washington has a new kicker in Austin Seibert after cutting Cade York earlier in the week. York missed his two field goal attempts wide right last week.

Fantasy tip

Nabers could be Jones’ primary target, and the Commanders’ secondary is at best a work in progress and at worst has no answers in the passing game. Jones’ success against Washington in his career also should give pause to anyone thinking about picking up the Commanders defense.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

It happens every year and isn’t that hard to figure out why. In the absence of real games, the absence of wins and losses, fumbles and touchdowns, brilliant plays and bonehead blunders, the minutia becomes the meat.

Thus fans and analysts alike examine the details that likely aren’t actually telling the story that snap counts or formations in an August football game might portray.

Attempting to solve that problem? Enter Dan Quinn – Washington’s head coach and self-ordained myth buster.

“I think there’s a narrative that can happen for any ball player outside the building versus inside the building,” Quinn said late Saturday night after the Commanders’ 13-6 loss to Miami in the second week of the preseason.

Quinn was answering a question about second-year cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, but the answer could have applied to a number of positions. Forbes has had his struggles this preseason (and certainly last season) but he’s firmly on the 53-man roster and is a player that Quinn and company hope can show significant improvement this fall.

That doesn’t match with some of the vitriolic comments made about Forbes – and other players – on social media. And Quinn is over it.

“I wanted to make sure he was aware of the decisions that we’ll make, Adam [Peters] and I, are the ones that come from inside the building, not from outside. I love the way he’s competing at practice,” Quinn said about Forbes.

The comments came as Forbes said during the team’s game broadcast that sometimes he feels under a microscope and that his mistakes get taken out of proportion by the fanbase. To an extent, Forbes is right.

Fans take far too much stock in preseason performances, particularly as often coaches are trying to put players into different and more difficult roles to test what might work in the regular season.

While his 2023 rookie season was subpar, Washington’s entire season was subpar. How much of that is on Forbes? How much of that was on the situation?

Those questions won’t have answers, at least for a few months, but Forbes isn’t the only player with lingering questions. Many if not most of Washington’s players from the 2023 season can’t be happy with their play. The Commanders went 4-13 and dramatically overhauled their roster this offseason.

So as fan angst rises from players that didn’t perform their best for a coaching staff that has been almost entirely replaced, how much does that carry over to this season? For Quinn, not much. And for the storylines forming based on last year’s production and early preseason returns, the head coach doesn’t want to hear it.

“I know that’s a narrative in here but it’s not as much as me. I want to be clear on that,” the coach said. “We’re trying to feature all the things players can do.”

Specifically, Quinn was asked if a hierarchy was emerging for the Commanders’ wide receivers, which has been a hot topic as fourth-year pro Dyami Brown continues with a strong camp. But the comments could have been made about just anybody.

Far too much has been made about a seemingly down camp for 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson, who has three catches so far this preseason. Like Forbes, Dotson is firmly in the Commanders’ plans for this fall and has a close relationship with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Quinn went out of his way to say he “loves” the way Dotson runs his deep and in-breaking routes and that showed during the Commanders’ joint practice with the Dolphins.

“I don’t see it as one person has to be in this space. I just want the guys to be absolutely flying and at their best and competing and playing with urgency. It’s not about a number at a position, it’s really about just the urgency, competitiveness, contested catches, route running, getting away from press coverage, beating man-to-man. Those are all the things I look for.”

It is interesting to note the shift in Quinn’s tone when talking about the wide receiver group. Earlier in the week the head coach stressed competition for the second wideout – Terry McLaurin has the WR1 role locked up. So in a way, Quinn bears some responsibility for the WR2 conversation emerging as a hot topic, but in much the same way the conversation about Forbes went overboard, the same happened with Dotson.

“It doesn’t have to be a 1, 2, 3; it just has to be really consistent,” Quinn said of his wideouts. “I like the group.”

In just three drives this preseason, Daniels has completed 12 of 15 passes, spreading the ball around to a number of pass catchers. If the rookie can maintain that efficiency and accuracy in the regular season, there will be plenty of work for all the wideouts.

Quinn’s reputation around the NFL is of a stand-up guy who builds strong relationships. Sure it was just a few minutes of a postgame interview after a preseason game, but in trying to shut down emerging narratives and support the organization’s 2022 and 2023 first-round picks, Quinn is showing why he has that reputation.

Since his arrival as Washington’s head coach back in early February, Quinn has stressed competition. Now it’s happening, but not without some compassion against the social media tides.

“I think belief is a big deal for a player,” Quinn said. “I think the best of the best players can have a lot of confidence and are still going to have some times where it fails and doesn’t do them good. And so in those moments, you want to remind them: this is how to create it and correct it because if you keep hanging onto that to the next play or the next down, it can certainly affect you.”

Confidence matters for NFL players, especially in August. Quinn wants his group confident. He can control narratives now, but a month from now, the results speak for themselves.

Daniels called his own number on a rush play and busted down the right sideline for a first down, only on the run, the rook decided not to slide or get out of bounds. It wasn’t a major collision, but it was still a quarterback getting tackled, and for Daniels that was his first real NFL contact.

He popped up just fine, nothing to worry about, but it was a big reminder for Commanders fans that Daniels is definitely a good runner and that will be a facet of the game plan all season.

When he wasn’t running, Daniels was throwing, and throwing it well.

For the game he completed 10 of 12 passes for 78 yards. Daniels led the Commanders offense on their first two drives and both ended with scoring chances for Washington. Kicker Riley Patterson missed a field goal attempt on the first drive but buried his second opportunity.

Throughout his preseason work Daniels has looked poised and prepared, particularly for a rookie, and in command of his new offense. The ball comes out quick and the decisions are sound.

For example on Washington’s first drive, Daniels faced immediate pressure on a third down pass from the right edge. He quickly gathered himself and tossed it deep down the left sideline towards Terry McLaurin, throwing to a spot where only his wideout could make a play or the ball just goes out of bounds, which it did.

It was a heady play, and by not taking a sack the Commanders got a chance at a field goal. That field goal attempt was missed, and kicker seems like a major problem, but quarterback does not.

Other notes from Daniels’ two series in Miami:

• It’s undeniable that Dyami Brown has established himself as the Commanders second wideout. His chemistry with Daniels is clear and he was the leading pass catcher while Daniels was on the field. Brown also showed good vision on a quick WR screen in the first quarter. Terry McLaurin remains the alpha of the Washington WR room.
• Daniels missed a big gainer with a quick seam throw to John Bates. It was still a completion and picked up a first down, but a better throw could have been a 20-yard+ gain.
• For the second straight week, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury dialed up a screen pass to running back Austin Ekeler. Last week, Daniels audibled out of that play and hit Brown for a big gain, which prompted some funny comments from head coach Dan Quinn. This week? Daniels ran the play and found Ekeler for four yards.

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Washington cut kicker Ramiz Ahmed on Tuesday to clear a roster spot and give Bryant another comeback chance.

The Dallas Cowboys released Bryant in May after he was on their practice squad last season.

The 32-year-old played his last game on Nov. 11, 2018, for the Oakland Raiders before the franchise moved to Las Vegas.

Pittsburgh drafted Bryant out of Clemson in the fourth round a decade ago and he had eight touchdown receptions in 10 games as a rookie.

Just before he started his second season, he was suspended for the first of three times for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He returned from the suspension n 2015 and had a career-high 765 yards receiving in 10 games.

Bryant was banned from the league for the 2016 season and played played 15 games for the Steelers in 2017 before an offseason trade to the Raiders.

“He’s earned that right to do that,” coach Dan Quinn said. “I had high expectations for him coming in, but I’d say he’s definitely surpassed even my expectations. He’s just got that way about him. You see the other players gravitate toward him. They recognize how hard he’s worked at it.”

Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury mentioned Daniels’ preparation as the reason why he’s setting himself apart in camp.

“He works really hard,” Kingsbury said. “He must study all night because he gets back the next day in our early morning meetings and he has it nailed. He’s putting in the work, there’s no doubt. I’m not sure what the process is but he gets it.”

Daniels, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner from LSU, is ahead of veteran free agent signing Marcus Mariota at QB on the initial depth chart.

Mariota, also a No. 2 pick when he was drafted in 2015, most recently played for the Eagles before moving within the division in March. According to Quinn, Mariota has given Daniels a solid challenge throughout training camp.

“Marcus has had a really good camp, too,” Quinn said. “This was not something that was easy to do. That’s what competition is about and couldn’t think of a better teammate than Marcus for Jayden.”

Quinn confirmed Sunday that Daniels would play against the Jets but did not specify how much.

“I just love playing football, so I’m happy about it,” Daniels said. “I mean, I always knew I was going to play. I don’t know when I’m going to play but at least I have the opportunity to go out there and play so I’m excited for it.”

Daniels is one of three rookies currently listed as starters on the Commanders depth chart along with second-round picks Brandon Coleman at left tackle and Mike Sainristil at cornerback.

In a bit of a surprise, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. — Washington’s first-round pick in 2023 — was listed as a second-string cornerback. Forbes played in 14 games as a rookie last season, benched at one point by then-coach Ron Rivera.

Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders Aug 5

Chopper4 video: ‘FedEx' removed from Washington Commanders stadium

Washington Commanders Aug 4

Jayden Daniels to play in the Washington Commanders' first preseason game at the New York Jets

Washington Commanders Jul 26

Jayden Daniels says it's ‘not a problem' not to be named the Commanders' starting QB yet

Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis join Sainristil as the three listed starters at cornerback, while Quinn said that Forbes would be in the competition.

Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said Forbes has been working hard at putting on weight. The Mississippi State product was listed at 166 pounds at the scouting combine prior to his draft. Earlier in the summer, Quinn mentioned that Forbes had put on as much as 15 pounds.

NOTES: Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs was in attendance on Tuesday. Gibbs led Washington to four Super Bowl appearances, while winning three titles in his first of two stints with the franchise. … Former Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer agreed to terms on a contract, according to his agency.

The stadium had been called FedExField since 1999, about two years after it was completed, according to the team.

FedEx pulled out of the naming rights agreement two years early; it wasn’t due to expire until 2026. The team announced the decision in February.

The team is still searching for a new partner for the stadium naming rights — and still searching for a new stadium site.

Coach Dan Quinn confirmed Sunday that Daniels will be playing. He did not say if Daniels would start or how much the No. 2 pick would play.

“I just love playing football, so I’m happy about it,” Daniels said. “I mean, I always knew I was going to play. At least I have the opportunity to go out there and play, so I’m excited for it.”

The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU is Washington’s presumptive Week 1 starting QB even though Quinn has not named Daniels as such. Daniels said he does not consider that a problem.

Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders Jul 26

Jayden Daniels says it's ‘not a problem' not to be named the Commanders' starting QB yet

Washington Commanders Jul 24

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is the focus of Washington Commanders training camp

Charity Jul 19

A locker of love: Washington Commanders' Terry McLaurin launches charity in DC

“There’s been a whole process,” Quinn said of the decision to play Daniels against the Jets. “It’s not been a secret at all — but a process of how we’re going to go and get guys ready. And so, the games are important to go and play and get ready.”

Daniels has been splitting training camp snaps with veteran Marcus Mariota. The Commanders visit Tampa Bay on Sept. 8 to open the regular season.

Just don’t include Daniels among that group.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 pick in the NFL draft feels good about where he is as he continues to learn a new system. The fact that he’s yet to be anointed the starter less than a week into training camp is the least of his concerns.

“For me it’s not a problem at all,” Daniels said about his status after practice on Friday. “I’m a competitor, so regardless of if I was announced the starter or not, you still got to compete. You can’t be content with your job and be comfortable. I like competing.”

Daniels continued to take snaps during individual and team drills at practice alongside veterans Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel and undrafted rookie Sam Hartman. Daniels and Mariota continue to share the work with the first-team offense.

“That’s up to (Quinn and general manager Adam Peters) for their decision,” Daniels said. “For me, I can control how I go out there and practice, how I compete.”

In fact it was only two summers ago that Daniels found himself in the same uncertain spot after transferring out of Arizona State to SEC powerhouse LSU.

Daniels won that job. The rest is history.

As for the present day, Quinn joked a bit with reporters about the amount of questions he has fielded concerning Daniels but the former Atlanta Falcons coach and Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator did offer an early assessment of his prized rookie.

“We’re really going to stay true to this; we have a really good plan,” Quinn said about Washington’s strategy with bringing along Daniels during camp.

“He’s really doing a good job but with the team we’re going into our third day. He’s doing outstanding, and we’re really pleased where we’re at but we’re not changing timelines or guidelines.”

Of course being selected so high in the draft by a downtrodden Washington franchise, which has seen a revolving door at the position for years, comes with lofty expectations.

Like it or not, Daniels is already the face of the franchise. A walk past a temporary team store just to the side of practice prominently features his No. 5 jersey.

Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders Jul 25

Ekeler's journey from undrafted running back to NFL star

Washington Commanders Jul 24

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is the focus of Washington Commanders training camp

Daniels understands and acknowledges the role of a QB and is ready for everything that comes with it.

“I’ll just say for me I’m ready to embrace the teammates, the fanbase, everything that just comes with playing quarterback,” Daniels said.

“You have to be able to embrace everything that comes with it, the good, the bad. For me it’s how can I prepare myself mentally, physically and emotionally to go out there and compete every day on the practice field and then help out when it comes to game time if my name is called.”

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Game details

N.Y. Giants (0-1) at Washington (0-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox

BetMGM NFL Odds: Commanders by 1 1/2

Against the spread: New York 0-1; Washington 0-1

Series record: Giants lead 108-71-5.

Last meeting: Giants beat Commanders 31-19 on Nov. 19, 2023, at Washington.

Last week: Giants lost to Vikings 28-6; Commanders lost to Buccaneers 37-20.

Giants offense: overall (26), rush (27), pass (17), scoring (32)

Giants defense: overall (19), rush (15), pass (21), scoring (t-9)

Commanders offense: overall (17), rush (19), pass (19), scoring (t-21)

Commanders defense: overall (26), rush (16), pass (29), scoring (31)

Turnover differential: Giants even; Commanders even

Commanders player to watch

CB Benjamin St-Juste got lit up by Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans last week. Although St-Juste was not solely to blame — a lack of a pass rush did not help — he could be tested again by Daniel Jones throwing over and over to Darius Slayton or first-round pick Malik Nabers.

Giants player to watch

LB Kayvon Thibodeaux has 5 1/2 sacks, seven tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in four games against Washington. He aims for his fifth consecutive game against Washington with a sack. He also should be motivated after getting one quarterback hurry and making no tackles in the opener.

Key matchup

Giants defense vs. the Commanders offensive line. Brian Burns and Thibodeaux were hardly difference-makers against Minnesota, and Washington is motivated to keep rookie QB Jayden Daniels upright and healthy. Daniels is expected to run less and stay in the pocket more, so there will be extra opportunities for New York to force the issue and more time for the offensive line to block.

Key injuries

Giants returner Gunner Olszewski (groin), CB Nick McCloud (knee) and rookie LB Darius Muasau (knee) were ruled out. … Slayton is a game-time decision after going through concussion protocol. … Nabers was limited in practice Thursday because of a knee injury before being full go Friday. … PK Graham Gano (groin) was added to the list Saturday but he is expected to play. … Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes is out after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. … DE Clelin Ferrell (knee), S Quan Martin (hamstring) and rookie DT Johnny Newton (foot) are questionable. Newton could make his NFL debut after missing Week 1 following offseason surgery.

Series notes

The Giants have won the past three and are unbeaten in four, including a 20-20 tie on Dec. 4, 2022. The last Washington win was 22-7 on Jan. 9, 2021, the final game for then-New York GM Dave Gettleman and coach Joe Judge. The Giants had so little offense, Judge elected to have quarterback Jake Fromm run sneaks on second and third down inside his 5 in the second quarter. … This is Dan Quinn’s first game against the Giants as a head coach since Oct. 22, 2018, with Atlanta. He coached against them six times over the previous three seasons as Dallas’ defensive coordinator.

Stats and stuff

Giants QB Daniel Jones is 5-1-1 in seven starts against Washington. He has thrown 10 TDs and run for one with three interceptions. Coming off ACL surgery, he struggled in the opener, completing 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards and two interceptions, including a pick-6. … RB Devin Singletary was limited to 37 yards rushing against Minnesota as the Giants fell behind and threw more. … Nabers had five catches for 66 yards in NFL debut, including two 25-yard receptions. … WR Wan’Dale Robinson had team-high six catches for 44 yards. … DT Dexter Lawrence had New York’s only sack last week, the 22nd of his career. … LB Bobby Okereke had a fumble recovery last week. He had 14 tackles and two forced fumbles in these teams’ last meeting. … Muasau had six tackles and his first interception against Minnesota. … Daniels was 17 of 24 for 184 yards and ran 16 times for 88 yards and two TDs in his NFL debut. … RBs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combined to catch seven passes for 101 yards against the Buccaneers. … WR Terry McLaurin was targeted just four times and made two catches for 17 yards in the season opener. … Zach Ertz is 38 yards away from becoming the 12th tight end in league history to reach 7,500 yards receiving. … DT Jonathan Allen is one sack from tying Brian Orakpo for sixth in Washington’s franchise history, since sacks became an official stat in 1982. … LB Bobby Wagner led the team with 10 tackles, including three for loss, in the opener. … Washington has a new kicker in Austin Seibert after cutting Cade York earlier in the week. York missed his two field goal attempts wide right last week.

Fantasy tip

Nabers could be Jones’ primary target, and the Commanders’ secondary is at best a work in progress and at worst has no answers in the passing game. Jones’ success against Washington in his career also should give pause to anyone thinking about picking up the Commanders defense.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The Washington Commanders will open training camp next week in Ashburn, and with that comes the opportunity to reset the organization. New owner, new general manager, new head coach, new quarterback. That’s a lot of new.

With all the changes for the Washington organization — no NFL team flipped its roster more — it’s time to take a look at how things could unfold this fall. The truth is after a 4-13 season last year where no Commanders players made the Pro Bowl, it would be hard to be worse this year. Still, looking at some of the changes made, personnel moves and coaching changes, there are some real reasons for encouragement. Let’s take a look.

1. Need balance: The Commanders offense lacked any semblance of balance last year. Washington led the NFL in passing attempts and came in dead last in rushing attempts. And that imbalance happened with a young quarterback in Sam Howell and a spotty offensive line. Despite new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s reputation for the “Air Raid” offense, expect much more running. In four seasons as the head coach of the Cardinals, Kingsbury’s teams averaged out to be 13th in the NFL in rush attempts. In 2021, Kingsbury’s best year in Arizona, when the team finished with an 11-6 regular season record, the Cardinals finished seventh in the NFL in rush attempts. Now, it’s important to remember that Kyler Murray, a highly capable runner, quarterbacked those teams, but Washington is now expected to start Jayden Daniels at quarterback, another highly capable runner.
2. Two-piece combo: During Kingsbury’s successful 2021 season in Arizona, running backs James Conner and Chase Edmonds combined for more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns. Conner was the bruiser, a power back who averaged less than 4 yards-per-carry but was able to regularly move the chains and win at the goal line. Edmonds had 43 catches on the season and averaged more than 6 yards-per-touch. Does a duo like that sound familiar? The Washington backfield of Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler could try to follow that same pattern.
3. Take care: In his last two seasons at LSU, Jayden Daniels threw seven interceptions. Twenty-six games played, seven INTs. Sure, that was on the college level and life in the NFL is much more difficult, but Daniels has a proven ability to protect the ball and not make dumb mistakes. Compare that with Sam Howell, the Commanders starter last season, who was comparable to a rookie. Howell threw 16 interceptions over 24 games in his last two seasons at North Carolina. The turnovers followed Howell to the pros, as he threw 18 interceptions last year in 17 games.
4. Get them to the ground: Last year, Cody Barton led the Commanders with 121 tackles. In 2022, Jamin Davis led the Commanders with 104 tackles. Last year, Bobby Wagner led the NFL with 183 tackles playing for Seattle. In 2022, Wagner logged 140 tackles playing for the Rams. At age 34, Wagner has compiled more than 1,700 tackles in his NFL career and will get inducted into the Hall of Fame when his playing career ends. Washington’s free agent addition of Wagner immediately makes him an anchor of the defense and a presence in the middle of the field that has been lacking since London Fletcher retired after the 2013 season.
5. This is not a stat: Nobody keeps stats on long snappers, or if they do, I couldn’t find them. But anybody that watched the Commanders last year knows that the team really struggled on special teams, and most of it was due to Camaron Cheeseman. The struggles were significant, and Washington finally cut Cheeseman after multiple botched snaps in a December loss in Los Angeles. This offseason Washington signed Tyler Ott to take over as long snapper. Ott, a Harvard grad, started all 17 games for the Ravens last year. The Ravens are always excellent on special teams. From 2017 to 2021, Ott handled all the long snaps for the Seahawks, where he worked with new Commanders special teams coach Larry Izzo. Again, this isn’t a stat, but Cheeseman was a problem, and Ott should be the answer.
6. Plug the middle: When Commanders GM Adam Peters took over in Ashburn he quickly identified a consistent problem for his offensive line: the center position. Ever since Chase Roullier suffered a broken leg in 2021, the center position has been a revolving door for the Burgundy and Gold. To fix that issue, and the subsequent problems caused by inconsistent center play and the trouble that causes for young quarterbacks, Peters signed Tyler Biadasz. A 26-year-old coming off his rookie deal in Dallas, Biadasz should immediately provide a much-needed anchor for the Washington offensive line. In the past two seasons for the Cowboys, Biadasz missed just two games, one of which was a Week 18 rest day after Dallas had sealed a playoff spot. Ironically, that game was a 26-6 Washington win over Dallas. The man they call “badass” should solve one major riddle for the Commanders.
7. Slow ride: Last year from Oct. 1 until a Week 14 bye in mid-December, the Commanders traveled to away games in Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, New England, Seattle and Dallas. The trips to New England and Seattle happened in consecutive weeks, and the trip to Dallas came on a short week for the annual Thanksgiving game. The travel schedule was quite tough. This year, from Oct. 1 until yet another mid-December bye week, the Commanders will travel no further than New York.
8. Take what’s yours: Last season the Commanders defense grabbed eight interceptions. Eight. In 17 games. Only two teams finished with fewer interceptions than Washington. In 2022, the Washington defense generated a whopping nine interceptions. Only four teams intercepted fewer passes that year. So, the math says in the past two seasons the Commanders’ defense generated 17 interceptions. Dan Quinn served as the Cowboys defensive coordinator before taking over as the new Washington head coach in January, and the Dallas secondary was impressive throughout Quinn’s tenure. In fact, the Cowboys defense grabbed 17 interceptions just last year — Washington’s two-year total. Quinn knows how to coach the secondary, and a big part of the success in Dallas was Joe Whitt, the Commanders new defensive coordinator.
9. Young man’s game: In the past two seasons, at least one NFL team has advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs with a rookie quarterback under center. In 2022, that was the 49ers with Brock Purdy at QB. Last year, it was C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. Could that mean this year it’s Jayden Daniels and the Commanders?
10. Not a stat 2.0: When the season begins Sept. 8, it will have been more than a year since Dan Snyder owned the Washington football franchise. He’s long gone. New era indeed. 

Presidential terms. Olympic cities. Football team identities. 

It was only four years ago that Dan Snyder owned the Washington franchise, and the team still played under a moniker some viewed as highly controversial. 

As financial and political pressure turned up on Snyder, eventually, Washington dropped that nickname. And a few years after that move, Snyder sold the team. 

With the sale came new life, and now as the Josh Harris-led ownership group settles in and closes in on a full year at the helm, the organization is working to embrace its past while still moving forward. 

On Tuesday the team announced that gold pants would return to its uniform rotation. 

On the surface this is a minor move. Pro sports teams make uniform changes like teenagers change best friends. This kind of thing happens all the time. 

But in Washington, where the past has been painted by some as tainted — and worse by others — honoring the past is a trickier endeavor. 

Still, Harris and crew made that decision to look back and move forward, giving fans a semblance of pride from those previous teams. Sure, it’s just a pair of pants, but it’s also a way to remind fans and foes alike that Washington has a long, rich football history. 

There are zealots that think any move that doesn’t reestablish the old name is not enough. But the problem with zealots is they’re not reasonable, and a move back to the old name is just not happening. 

For any reasonable fan, however, this is a great step. The move is a cool way to connect to great teams in the 1970s and even more recently when the team occasionally wore the gold pants about a decade ago. 

Not to mention that plenty of Washington fans think the 2.2.22 rebrand was somewhere between a misstep and a full out botch, bringing back the gold pants might lighten the mood surrounding the new uniforms and name. 

It’s football. It’s supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be a diversion from real life. An escape from Beltway traffic and escalating bills and politics and all else that comes in the real world.

For too long, though, being a Washington fan was hardly an escape. It was almost as ugly as the headlines that dominate the local and national news. 

That era is over. There’s no guarantee the team returns to a perennial playoff contender or a Super Bowl winner. 

But it has become clear the new ownership group has changed the tone and tenor of what it means to be a Washington fan. 

Yes, we’re only talking about football pants, but for Commanders fans, we’re talking about much more. 

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Think about it: Since January, Peters hired an almost entirely new coaching staff — from Dan Quinn on down — and then attacked free agency with vigor. Washington signed the most new free agents in the NFL, then added nine draft picks and 11 undrafted free agents.

The team has flipped nearly half its roster since last year. That’s astounding churn even for a league known for offseason roster churn.

Now the moves might not be done. There could be veterans released post June 1 or even in training camp. Trades always remain an option. But by and large, Peters has built his version of the Commanders that will take the field Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.

So let’s take a look at what five fast-paced months in Ashburn delivered. Below is a rough look at what a final 53-man roster might look like in a few months. Some spots are obvious, but depth questions need to be addressed, particularly along both lines, the receiver spot and the cornerbacks. Take a look:

Quarterbacks: QB: Jayden Daniels (R), Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskell

Note: No real surprises. The third-string QB battle between undrafted rookie free agent Sam Hartman and Driskell will be a fun preseason thing to watch, though keep in mind Hartman might be a prime practice squad candidate. Jake Fromm’s time in Washington seems likely over.

Running backs: Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez

Note: Again no real surprises. Maybe the undrafted rookie from USC, Austin Jones, pushes for a roster spot in camp? He has familiarity with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury from their time last year with the Trojans. Otherwise, this position group seems pretty settled and Ekeler/BRob could be a strong combination.

Tight ends: Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott (R), John Bates

Note: Questions here come after Sinnott and Ertz, who are both roster locks. Bates seems like the next man up for sure, but what about Cole Turner? How many TEs will the team keep on its final 53 and how does that impact the RB roster load? Does Sinnott get listed as an HB/FB for roster flexibility? What’s the status of Armani Rodgers? Let’s repeat — lots of questions here.

Wide receivers: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey (R), Jamison Crowder, Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown

Note: No questions at the top, but the bottom of this roster group looks humble. Dyami Brown needs a strong camp as his production has lacked for three seasons and these aren’t the guys that drafted him. Maybe a surprise veteran gets added here? Zaccheaus could be a sneaky productive signing. An undrafted player out of Virginia, he’s been in the NFL now for five seasons with more than 100 catches. He’s never gotten a ton of opportunity, but would it shock anybody if he takes over as the Commanders fourth wideout?

Offensive line: Brandon Coleman (R), Nick Allegretti, Tyler Biadasz, Sam Cosmi, Andrew Wylie, Cornelius Lucas, Michael Deiter, Ricky Stromberg, Chris Paul, Trent Scott (?)

Note: A much overhauled group from 2023, but is it much better? Peters placed a big bet on Coleman being able to step in right away and play tackle. There’s risk, but if he’s right, big reward.

Defensive line: Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Johnny Newton (R), John Ridgeway, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler, Clelin Ferrell, Efe Obada, Phidarian Mathis, KJ Henry, Andre Jones Jr. (?), Javontae Jean-Baptiste (R)

Note: This unit has real pop at the top, especially if rookie Johnny Newton lives up to his college game film. Allen and Payne are established anchors that would be well served with fewer snaps. Ridgeway is a useful tool too, but will Mathis show something this year? It’s been two very quiet seasons for the former second-round pick, and remember, Peters didn’t draft Mathis. The ends don’t have the star power of previous years, but they might have more production. Unfortunately, that bar isn’t too high.

Linebackers: Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Jamin Davis, Jordan Magee (R), Anthony Pittman

Note: Washington signed three free agent linebackers, including a future Hall of Famer in Wagner, and drafted another. What does that say about Jamin Davis’ job security? The team already declined his fifth-year rookie option. The 19th overall pick from 2021 needs to show that his previous mediocrity was scheme driven from the old staff. If not, his spot could be dicey. The last two Washington players with declined fifth-year options? Chase Young and Josh Doctson.

Defensive backs: Emmanuel Forbes, Mike Sainristil (R), Benjamin St-Juste, Jeremy Reaves, Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Chinn, Quan Martin, Mike Davis, Percy Butler, Noah Igbinoghene, Dominique Hampton (R)

Notes: For this experiment to work, Washington will need much more out of 2023 first-round pick Forbes, and new head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt are well known for their ability to maximize skills of various defensive backs. Sainristil should lock up the slot corner spot upon arrival, and because of that, Martin should lock in at a safety spot. Who that will be next to is TBD, but probably Forrest. Other questions: Is Chinn a linebacker or a safety? A new consideration for NFL roster construction will be the changes to the kickoff rule. As kickoffs become more of a run play, will that make linebackers more advantageous on special teams than defensive backs? Things like special teams availability make a big impact in determining final roster spots.

Washington Commanders Apr 25

Commanders set new course for the future drafting Jayden Daniels 

Washington Commanders Apr 25

Commanders to retire Darrell Green's No. 28 jersey during the 2024 season

Washington Commanders Apr 19

As the NFL draft nears and rumors swirl, Adam Peters proves a new era is here for Commanders

Game details

N.Y. Giants (0-1) at Washington (0-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox

BetMGM NFL Odds: Commanders by 1 1/2

Against the spread: New York 0-1; Washington 0-1

Series record: Giants lead 108-71-5.

Last meeting: Giants beat Commanders 31-19 on Nov. 19, 2023, at Washington.

Last week: Giants lost to Vikings 28-6; Commanders lost to Buccaneers 37-20.

Giants offense: overall (26), rush (27), pass (17), scoring (32)

Giants defense: overall (19), rush (15), pass (21), scoring (t-9)

Commanders offense: overall (17), rush (19), pass (19), scoring (t-21)

Commanders defense: overall (26), rush (16), pass (29), scoring (31)

Turnover differential: Giants even; Commanders even

Commanders player to watch

CB Benjamin St-Juste got lit up by Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans last week. Although St-Juste was not solely to blame — a lack of a pass rush did not help — he could be tested again by Daniel Jones throwing over and over to Darius Slayton or first-round pick Malik Nabers.

Giants player to watch

LB Kayvon Thibodeaux has 5 1/2 sacks, seven tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in four games against Washington. He aims for his fifth consecutive game against Washington with a sack. He also should be motivated after getting one quarterback hurry and making no tackles in the opener.

Key matchup

Giants defense vs. the Commanders offensive line. Brian Burns and Thibodeaux were hardly difference-makers against Minnesota, and Washington is motivated to keep rookie QB Jayden Daniels upright and healthy. Daniels is expected to run less and stay in the pocket more, so there will be extra opportunities for New York to force the issue and more time for the offensive line to block.

Key injuries

Giants returner Gunner Olszewski (groin), CB Nick McCloud (knee) and rookie LB Darius Muasau (knee) were ruled out. … Slayton is a game-time decision after going through concussion protocol. … Nabers was limited in practice Thursday because of a knee injury before being full go Friday. … PK Graham Gano (groin) was added to the list Saturday but he is expected to play. … Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes is out after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. … DE Clelin Ferrell (knee), S Quan Martin (hamstring) and rookie DT Johnny Newton (foot) are questionable. Newton could make his NFL debut after missing Week 1 following offseason surgery.

Series notes

The Giants have won the past three and are unbeaten in four, including a 20-20 tie on Dec. 4, 2022. The last Washington win was 22-7 on Jan. 9, 2021, the final game for then-New York GM Dave Gettleman and coach Joe Judge. The Giants had so little offense, Judge elected to have quarterback Jake Fromm run sneaks on second and third down inside his 5 in the second quarter. … This is Dan Quinn’s first game against the Giants as a head coach since Oct. 22, 2018, with Atlanta. He coached against them six times over the previous three seasons as Dallas’ defensive coordinator.

Stats and stuff

Giants QB Daniel Jones is 5-1-1 in seven starts against Washington. He has thrown 10 TDs and run for one with three interceptions. Coming off ACL surgery, he struggled in the opener, completing 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards and two interceptions, including a pick-6. … RB Devin Singletary was limited to 37 yards rushing against Minnesota as the Giants fell behind and threw more. … Nabers had five catches for 66 yards in NFL debut, including two 25-yard receptions. … WR Wan’Dale Robinson had team-high six catches for 44 yards. … DT Dexter Lawrence had New York’s only sack last week, the 22nd of his career. … LB Bobby Okereke had a fumble recovery last week. He had 14 tackles and two forced fumbles in these teams’ last meeting. … Muasau had six tackles and his first interception against Minnesota. … Daniels was 17 of 24 for 184 yards and ran 16 times for 88 yards and two TDs in his NFL debut. … RBs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combined to catch seven passes for 101 yards against the Buccaneers. … WR Terry McLaurin was targeted just four times and made two catches for 17 yards in the season opener. … Zach Ertz is 38 yards away from becoming the 12th tight end in league history to reach 7,500 yards receiving. … DT Jonathan Allen is one sack from tying Brian Orakpo for sixth in Washington’s franchise history, since sacks became an official stat in 1982. … LB Bobby Wagner led the team with 10 tackles, including three for loss, in the opener. … Washington has a new kicker in Austin Seibert after cutting Cade York earlier in the week. York missed his two field goal attempts wide right last week.

Fantasy tip

Nabers could be Jones’ primary target, and the Commanders’ secondary is at best a work in progress and at worst has no answers in the passing game. Jones’ success against Washington in his career also should give pause to anyone thinking about picking up the Commanders defense.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The Commanders will retire Green’s No. 28 jersey during the 2024 NFL season, the team announced Thursday.

“Darrell Green’s legacy transcends the boundaries of the football field,” Commanders owner Josh Harris said in a statement. “Throughout his remarkable career, Green embodied the value of excellence, perseverance and sportsmanship on and off the field. His speed, skill and dedication to the game and our community for a record 20 years earned him the nickname ‘The Ageless Wonder’ and made him a beloved figured in Washington, D.C., and beyond.

“Retiring Darrell Green’s jersey symbolizes our commitment to preserving the rich history and tradition of our franchise. His presence as one of the greatest players to ever wear the Burgundy and Gold will be forever felt at Commanders Field, serving as an inspiration to current and future generations of players, coaches and fans.”

Washington surprised Green with the news by having him come into the facility for what he thought was to just shoot a promotional video for the 2024 NFL Draft. But, while reading from a script, Green learned his No. 28 was going to be forever immortalized by the franchise.

“I’m humbly grateful,” Green said. “I feel like crying just thinking about it right now. This means a lot to me.

“I would’ve never dreamed this. I was so shocked. It’s almost like it breathed life into me. I have never been so surprised, shocked. My head is still spinning, but I am a million percent humbled.”

Washington selected Green 28th overall in the 1983 draft, marking the start of a 20-year run in D.C. Green spent his entire career with Washington and was part of three teams that reached the Super Bowl, capturing the Lombardi Trophy in the 1987 and 1991 seasons.

The seven-time Pro Bowler set several team records over the course of his illustrious career, including appearances (295), starts (258), consecutive seasons played (20), interceptions (54) and interceptions returned for a touchdown (6).

Green also holds the NFL record for consecutive seasons with an interception (19) and he’s tied with Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice for the most consecutive seasons with at least one touch (20).

A member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s, Green was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. And he’s now set to become the fifth Washington player to have his jersey number retired, joining Sonny Jurgensen (No. 9), Bobby Mitchell (No. 49), Sammy Baugh (No. 33) and Sean Taylor (No. 21).

“God had early on put it within my heart not to go somewhere else,” Green said spending his entire career with Washington. “And I had a chance to do that. It’s not just luck or an idea. It’s more of a sense of the purpose of God in my life and who I would be. I made a commitment to that. I don’t really take any credit or beat my chest for that.”

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Asked a few times about speculation that he doesn’t want to play for Washington and whether he prefers going to another team, Daniels understandably took a diplomatic approach one day before the NFL draft.

“I’m blessed to go wherever I’m called,” Daniels said Wednesday. “Whoever calls my phone, whoever gives the card to the Commissioner that says my name, I’m blessed to go and they’re gonna get my all.”

Pressed further about the Commanders and asked if he’d be OK going there, Daniels replied: “100%.”

The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner from LSU is expected to be one of the top three players selected Thursday night. After USC quarterback Caleb Williams goes to Chicago first overall, Daniels is the odds-on favorite to be the No. 2 pick, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

The Commanders need a franchise QB and will have their choice of Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye or Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. The team took an unorthodox approach during its predraft visits and hosted all of them together along with several other prospects for a Topgolf outing.

Reports that Daniels’ agent, Ron Butler, wasn’t pleased with the visit led to his client answering questions about it 33 hours before the Commanders are on the clock.

“I just had fun with the other guys just being able to interact with people throughout the process. It was cool,” Daniels said, adding that he’s not a golfer but is starting to learn the sport.

Teams typically want to maximize their time with a player ahead of the draft so Washington faced criticism for its decision to host a group visit.

Daniels downplayed having any issues with it.

“I spent quite some time with them,” Daniels said. “Obviously, Zoom meetings prior and the combine and when I got up there I spent some time with them, but I had other places to go, so I had to catch a flight but overall just a good visit.”

New Commanders coach Dan Quinn hired former Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury to be the offensive coordinator. Kingsbury had some success with dual-threat QB Kyler Murray in Arizona and previously with Patrick Mahomes and Johnny Manziel in college.

“Obviously, his track record with mobile quarterbacks speaks for itself,” Daniels said. “I’ve been familiar with Kliff.”

Daniels has a strong relationship with Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, who was an assistant at Arizona State when he played there before transferring to LSU.

Las Vegas would have to trade up from No. 13 to get Daniels.

“I’ve known AP since I was a teenager, so obviously our relationship off the field meant a lot,” Daniels said. “We’ll see what happens but I’m blessed to go wherever I’m called.”

Daniels, Williams and Maye are among 13 players in town for the draft. They participated in a football clinic with Special Olympics Michigan athletes on a cold, blustery morning in a ballpark that used to be the site of old Tigers Stadium.

Williams had a big smile throughout the event. He tossed five straight touchdown passes to youngsters at one point. Prospects played catch, ran routes, gave tips and interacted with the youth for an hour on the field before a 30-minute session with reporters.

“I had a blast,” Williams said. “They seemed to have a great time. It was really enjoyable for me. Football is about having fun.”

Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix could join Williams, Daniels, Maye and McCarthy to make it six quarterbacks in a first round that’s loaded with offensive players. Six would tie the record for most QBs in the first round.

The 1983 draft had three Hall of Fame quarterbacks — John Elway, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly — selected in the first round along with Todd Blackledge, Tony Eason and Ken O’Brien.

The most QBs in the top five is three, so there’s a chance this draft will set a record if McCarthy sneaks in.

“We have a chance to be real good,” Daniels said of the draft class. “A lot of special talent in this draft.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Seattle is getting Howell and fourth- and sixth-round picks from Washington for third- and fifth-rounders, in a trade completed Thursday and announced by the teams, pending a physical.

Howell also gets a change of scenery after throwing the most interceptions and being sacked the most of any player in the NFL last season.

The picks going to the Seahawks are Nos. 102 and 179 and to the Commanders Nos. 78 and 152. That means Washington has six selections in the top 100, plenty of chances for new general manager Adam Peters to reshape the roster and fill multiple needs, from left tackle to cornerback.

Howell started all 17 games for the Commanders during the 2023 season, threw 21 interceptions and was sacked 65 times behind an offensive line that was ravaged by injuries and poor play. Peters has already released two starters and brought in two potential replacements.

A 2022 fifth-round pick out of UNC, Howell joins the Seahawks after they allowed just 38 sacks last season. He fills the backup role behind Smith after Drew Lock left to sign with the New York Giants.

Moving on from Howell was not surprising after Washington signed veteran backup Marcus Mariota. The team could draft its QB of the future with the No. 2 pick, potentially North Carolina’s Drake Maye or LSU’s Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

The Commanders bringing in an experienced veteran backup quarterback such as Mariota on Tuesday may be foreshadowing their plans for the NFL draft and signaling the direction they’re headed for the future of the position.

Washington agreed with Mariota on a one-year contract with a base salary of $6 million that could be worth up to $10 million, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract cannot be made official until the new league year opens Wednesday.

Mariota, 30, has appeared in 90 NFL games and started 74 for four teams since being taken with the second pick in the 2015 draft, most recently serving as Jalen Hurts’ backup in Philadelphia last season.

Adding the 30-year-old Oregon product increases the likelihood of Washington using the No. 2 pick this year on a QB. Daniels, the Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU, and North Carolina’s Maye are among the prospects expected to be available if Chicago takes Southern California’s Caleb Williams first.

It’s not out of the realm of possibility for the Commanders to draft a QB and keep 2023 starter Sam Howell, along with Mariota.

“Obviously I have no idea what the decision is going to be,” said veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who signed his one-year contract with Washington on Tuesday. “Building a team is a 365-day-a-year job, so whatever they do today may not be the final verdict come Sept. 10 or whenever the first game is.”

Another person familiar with the situation said the Commanders agreed to a one-year contract with defensive end Clelin Ferrell. A third person said they agreed with guard Nick Allegretti on a $16 million, three-year contract with $9.02 million guaranteed, and a fourth person said they agreed to a deal with edge rusher Dante Fowler.

They also spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contracts cannot be official until Wednesday. The same goes for an agreement with safety Jeremy Chinn, which his agency confirmed on social media.

Since the free agent negotiating period opened Monday, the Commanders also agreed to bring in running back Austin Ekeler, center Tyler Biadasz, defensive lineman Dorance Armstrong, linebacker Frankie Luvu and kicker Brandon McManus. It’s all part of new general manager Adam Peters’ retooling effort with coach Dan Quinn.

Ferrell, who turns 27 in May, started 17 games and had 3 1/2 sacks last season for the 49ers. The fourth pick of the 2019 draft by the Raiders, he has appeared in 75 games with Oakland/Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Ferrell and Armstrong help fill the edge rushing void left by trading Chase Young and Montez Sweat before the deadline in October. Biadasz and Allegretti are part of an offensive line overhaul.

Allegretti, who turns 28 next month, filled in for the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs when starter Joe Thuney went down with an injury during the playoffs. He played roughly half the Super Bowl with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.

Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders Mar 11

Commanders agree on a 2-year deal with running back Austin Ekeler, AP source says

Washington Commanders Mar 6

Washington Commanders are signing veteran tight end Zach Ertz, AP sources say

Washington Commanders Mar 1

Commanders release starting left tackle Charles Leno and tight end Logan Thomas

Much is left to do on the offensive line, including figuring out a solution at left tackle. This year’s draft is deep at that spot, and Washington has two second-round picks (Nos. 36 and 40) and two thirds (Nos. 67 and 99).

Ertz, who agreed to his deal last week, said on a video call with reporters that the trio of Peters, Quinn and new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was the biggest reason that Washington was an opportunity he could not pass up — Kingsbury in particular because Ertz played for him in Arizona.

“He’s a guy that was one of the best offensive minds that I have been around up to date, and I still feel that way, so I’m extremely excited to get back in his offense and also just help this team, help this organization kind of build success from the ground up,” Ertz said. “I can’t wait to see what he does with these quarterbacks and, I would say, whoever else we bring in.”

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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi in Tampa, Florida, contributed to this report.

Ekeler agreed to terms with Washington on a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the contract cannot be made official until the new league year opens Wednesday.

The soon-to-be 29-year-old leaves the Los Angeles Chargers after seven seasons in which he scored 69 touchdowns since making his professional debut in 2017.

Ekeler led the NFL in combined rushing and receiving touchdowns in 2021 and ’22 before dropping to six last season.

Bringing him in gives the retooling Commanders a one-two backfield punch of Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr.

Ekeler wasn’t the only deal new general manager Adam Peters got done after the NFL’s negotiating period for free agents began at noon EDT. Armed with the most cap space in the league, he wasted little time spending it on three-year contracts for linebacker Frankie Luvu, defensive end Dorance Armstrong and center Tyler Biadasz. Peters then added kicker Brandon McManus.

Luvu got $36 million, according to his agency, Team IFA. Two people familiar with the deals told the AP that Armstrong’s contract is worth up to $45 million and Biadasz $30 million. McManus got one year at $3.6 million.

Armstrong and Biadasz are players new coach Dan Quinn knows well from his time with the rival Dallas Cowboys. Luvu is a new face at perhaps the Commanders’ biggest area of need on defense.

Luvu, 27, led the Carolina Panthers and ranked 22nd among all players in tackles last season with 125. The American Samoa native also had 5 1/2 sacks and gives Washington’s defense under Quinn and new coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. some experience at a position that was devalued under former coach Ron Rivera, interestingly a former linebacker.

Biadasz was the Cowboys’ starting center during Quinn’s entire three-year tenure as defensive coordinator, when he was working on the other side of the trenches.

Armstrong had been a reserve with Dallas since 2018, appearing in 47 games and starting Dallas while Quinn was running the defense.

Signing Biadasz is the latest step in overhauling the offensive line, which allowed quarterback Sam Howell to be sacked an NFL-high 65 times last season. The Commanders released starting left tackle Charles Leno and informed center Nick Gates he was being released.

Armstrong, who turns 27 before next season, joins a front four that already includes stalwart defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. He has 23 1/2 sacks in his pro career, including 7 1/2 last season.

Following the previous regime sending Chase Young to San Francisco and Montez Sweat to Chicago prior to the trade deadline, Armstrong helps the Commanders fill the edge rushing void that was all too apparent after those moves. They had just 14 sacks in nine games following those trades, and Sweat became the first player to lead two different teams in sacks in the same season.

Adding players familiar to coaches on staff is an early theme of the offseason. Washington last week agreed to sign veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who played for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury when he coached the Arizona Cardinals.

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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal had not been announced. One person familiar with the signing said the contract for next season is worth up to $5 million.

Ertz, 33, reunites with Kliff Kingsbury, Washington’s offensive coordinator, who coached him with Arizona. He played parts of three seasons with the Cardinals before being released in late November.

A Super Bowl champion with Philadelphia, Ertz returns to the NFC East as the first big addition for new Commanders general manager Adam Peters. Ertz replaces Logan Thomas, who was released last week along with two offensive linemen: starting left tackle Charles Leno and center Nick Gates.

Ertz has played in 159 NFL regular-season and playoff games since making his debut in 2013 after being a second-round pick of the Eagles. Over the past decade, he has caught 745 passes for 7,815 yards and 48 touchdowns.

Who he’ll be catching passes from with Washington remains to be seen. The Commanders have the second pick in the draft and could use that on a quarterback or be active in free agency, with Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins among the veterans expected to be available.

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They released starting left tackle Charles Leno and tight end Logan Thomas on Friday, moving on from two veterans in their 30s as the new regime led by recently hired general manager Adam Peters puts its stamp on the organization.

The Commanders also told center Nick Gates they will release him, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move cannot be completed until the start of the new league year later this month.

Cutting Leno and Thomas saves the Commanders nearly $13 million in salary cap space, adding to their already abundant spending possibilities. Even factoring in dead money from Leno, they have some of the most space in the league to use this offseason, with more than $70 million at their disposal after including money allocated for their rookie class.

Leno, 32, is scheduled for hip surgery next week. He finished last season on injured reserve because of a calf problem.

He started 47 games for Washington over the past three years after joining the team from Chicago. Leno played his first seven NFL seasons with the Bears, who released him in 2011.

Thomas, a converted college quarterback, spent the past four seasons with Washington, making 184 catches for 1,685 yards and 14 touchdowns. He turns 33 this summer.

Gates, 28, spent just 2023 with the Commanders after the Ron Rivera-led previous regime signed him to a three-year contract. Gates lost his starting job to Tyler Larsen midway through the season before getting back on the field late when Larsen was injured.

Washington has the second pick in the draft and five in the top 100 with several holes to fill, including at quarterback and replacements for Leno, Thomas and Gates. Peters earlier this week at the league’s annual scouting combine skirted around whether he’d like to add a veteran QB.

“I feel like it’s really hard to evaluate quarterbacks, but you just try to get better and try to understand what you did the last time that was really good and what you did last time that was really bad,” Peters told reporters in Indianapolis. “Different processes. Hopefully there’s not a whole lot of bad things that you did, but you always learn. And so it’s constantly evolving and I don’t think anybody has the magic pill to understand that one.”

The entire offensive line could be remade in the coming weeks and months, with Peters and new coach Dan Quinn reshaping all facets of the team. Washington brought in Kliff Kingsbury to be offensive coordinator, while Bobby Johnson came over from the NFC East-rival New York Giants to coach the O-line.

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The legislation would give the District control of the federal-government-owned RFK Stadium site for 99 years, allowing for new development including a stadium on 174 acres along the Anacostia River and steps from the Stadium-Armory Metro station.

“Tonight’s vote was a significant step forward in our efforts to unlock the full potential of the RFK campus — for our residents and visitors, the community, and D.C.’s comeback,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a news released.

While Bowser has butted heads with the Republican-led house over issues like crime, when it comes to RFK, she forged a partnership with Republican Rep. James Comer, D-Ky., who is spearheading the effort to give D.C. long-term control over the land, including the ability to build housing and retail as well as a new stadium.

“You know how long we’ve been working to get control of RFK for a long enough period of time where the District can make significant investments in it, and we’re very close to getting there,” Bowser said. “It’s over a hundred of acres sitting on a very prominent, monumental access on a river, and we need to remove the blight and have great development.”

Several Maryland lawmakers planned to vote against the bill. Republican Andy Harris and Democrats David Trone, John Sarbanes, Dutch Ruppersberger, Kweisi Mfume and Glenn Ivey told News4 they oppose the bill, in part because Maryland is competing to keep the Commanders.

“When I commute into D.C. I go right by the stadium and I’ve been doing that for decades now, so I understand that redevelopment there would be a great thing for the city, but that doesn’t mean that it should be done in a way that doesn’t allow us to have equal footing to compete to keep the Commanders in Prince George’s County,” Ivey said.

RFK Stadium Feb 28

Maryland congressmembers oppose bill potentially paving way for Commanders stadium in DC

Washington Commanders Feb 28

FedExField no more: FedEx ending naming rights agreement with Commanders stadium

He said he objects to D.C. getting federal land for free.

Now the bill goes to the U.S. Senate where it’s expected to face opposition from Democratic Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen. 

Washington played home games at RFK Stadium from 1961-1996 before moving to FedExField in Landover, Maryland. Rushed to completion under previous owner Jack Kent Cooke, that stadium has not aged well in the decades since.

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The legislation would give the District control of the federal-government-owned RFK Stadium site for 99 years, allowing for new development including a stadium on 174 acres along the Anacostia River and steps from the Stadium-Armory Metro station.

“You know how long we’ve been working to get control of RFK for a long enough period of time where the District can make significant investments in it, and we’re very close to getting there,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said. “It’s over a hundred of acres sitting on a very prominent, monumental access on a river, and we need to remove the blight and have great development.”

While Bowser has butted heads with the Republican-led house over issues like crime, when it comes to RFK, she has forged a partnership with Republican Rep. James Comer, D-Ky., who is spearheading the effort to give D.C. long-term control over the land, including the ability to build housing and retail as well as a new stadium.

While the legislation has rare bipartisan support in the House, several Maryland lawmakers plan to vote against it. Republican Andy Harris and Democrats David Trone, John Sarbanes, Dutch Ruppersberger, Kweisi Mfume and Glenn Ivey said they oppose the bill, in part because Maryland is competing to keep the Commanders. Democrats Steny Hoyer and Jamie Raskin have not said how they will vote.

“When I commute into D.C. I go right by the stadium and I’ve been doing that for decades now, so I understand that redevelopment there would be a great thing for the city, but that doesn’t mean that it should be done in a way that doesn’t allow us to have equal footing to compete to keep the Commanders in Prince George’s County,” Ivey said.

He said he objects to D.C. getting federal land for free.

If the bill passes the House, it will go to the U.S. Senate where it’s expected to face opposition from Democratic Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen. 

Washington played home games at RFK Stadium from 1961-1996 before moving to FedExField in Landover, Maryland. Rushed to completion under previous owner Jack Kent Cooke, that stadium has not aged well in the decades since.

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For more than two decades, that strategy did not work.

Embarking on a new era in Washington, new Commanders owner Josh Harris deployed a different strategy with his first head coaching hire. Harris assembled a talented team to help him navigate the process, and the early returns were quite promising. Washington announced the addition of new general manager Adam Peters in early January, who was widely considered the best GM candidate in the NFL.

A few weeks later – perhaps a grueling amount of time for some fans – the Commanders landed on Dan Quinn as their new head coach, the team officially confirmed on Sunday. For all the excitement that Peters’ arrival brought, Quinn’s is much more muted.

There is plenty to like about Quinn. He has a sterling reputation around the league as a motivator, communicator and for being very organized.

Over the last three seasons as defensive coordinator for the Cowboys (the damn Cowboys!) Quinn led an elite defense. The Cowboys defense ranked among the Top 10 in points allowed each of the last three years and generated 93 takeaways during that span. Washington had 55 takeaways in the last three years.

Perhaps more importantly, players love Quinn.

Quinn’s work in Dallas has been particularly impressive because of the development apparent with that Cowboys defense.

Parsons blossomed under Quinn, as the coordinator did not view the linebacker as a “tweener” — the label that saw him slip a bit in the draft — but rather an opportunity. If Parsons’ rare blend of size and athleticism means he can play all over the field, Quinn leaned into that, rather than the archaic method some coaches deploy of forcing round peg into square hole. In the secondary, Daron Bland went from backup to All Pro.

Player growth like that will be welcomed in Washington, where, frankly, there hasn’t been much.

There are things to like about Quinn, even if he’s probably most famous for being the Atlanta head coach that blew a 28-3 third quarter lead in Super Bowl LI.

That 34-28 comeback win gave a tremendous boost to Tom Brady’s lore and the Patriots mystique, but in many ways ruined Quinn’s coaching stint with the Falcons, where he was fired a few seasons later after starting 0-5. Overall, Quinn went 43-42 with the Falcons with two playoff berths and the Super Bowl appearance, but after the departure of then offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan following the infamous 28-3 loss, things hit the skids.

And that’s a fair concern in Washington.

Hiring Quinn means another defensive focused coach, just like his predecessor in Ron Rivera. It means that if an offensive coordinator comes to Washington and succeeds, losing that coordinator to a head coaching opportunity is a real possibility. Washington fans already know all about losing offensive coaching talent to other head coaching positions.

Perhaps talking about losing offensive coaches is putting the cart before the horse in D.C. This organization hasn’t won a playoff game in more than a decade and hasn’t won more than 10 games since the Bush administration. The first Bush administration, not George W. Bush.

What’s certainly real, however, is with the No. 2 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the head coach will not be the quarterback whisperer that many hoped.

That would have been Ben Johnson, the Lions offensive coordinator that Washington pursued but did not land. Detroit’s offense was impressive all season, and Johnson elected to stay in the Motor City. Officially Johnson said he wants the chance to chase a Super Bowl win in Detroit, which makes sense after a tough NFC Championship game loss to the Niners.

Other rumors and reports suggest a different outcome, that Johnson wanted too much money or that the interviews didn’t go well with Harris. It’s hard to think that the new Commanders brass, fresh off landing Peters and armed with multiple billions of dollars, could not have worked things out with Johnson if the interviews went great, but the truth is probably out there somewhere.

Regardless of the reason, Johnson is staying in Detroit and Quinn is headed to D.C.

For plenty of fans, that’s disappointing. It may prove to be true that without a play-caller to connect with a rookie QB, this offense never gets off the ground.

But the opposite could also happen.

While hiring a hot young play-calling offensive coordinator has been a strong trend in the NFL for a long time, it doesn’t always work here. Twice in Washington’s recent history the organization went in that direction, and neither Jay Gruden nor Norm Turner found much success in their time coaching the Burgundy and Gold.

Quinn is not a sexy hire. Johnson would have been. But this is not a Hollywood blockbuster film that needs glitz and glamour to sell. It’s a football team with a leadership void that Harris and Peters clearly believe Quinn can fill.

It’s not like Peters isn’t aware of the push among many for offensive coaches ahead of defensive coaches. He’s aware. He just doesn’t care.

“We’re looking for the best leader for this team, for the Washington Commanders,” Peters said when he was hired. “It’s not going to be in a box. It’s not going to be offense, it’s not going to be defense. It’s going to be the best leader for this organization.”

League sources have described Quinn as just that — a true leader.

It remains to be seen if Quinn’s leadership is the salve to fix a broken Commanders team. In two separate stints as a defensive coordinator, first in Seattle and more recently in Dallas, Quinn has found great success. As a head coach, it went well, at times.

That Super Bowl loss still haunts Quinn, and Shanahan too. The game was played seven years ago in a world that now seems almost foreign. Nobody had heard of Covid and Taylor Swift did not dominate NFL headlines. And yet, whenever Quinn’s name was brought up for another head coaching opportunity after his exit from Atlanta, 28-3 gets mentioned, just like it does for Shanahan before big games.

While Shanahan gets another opportunity to change that narrative next week when his 49ers take on the Chiefs in Vegas for a Super Bowl rematch, Quinn has just had to wear it. Shanahan’s success in San Francisco certainly doesn’t help the thought that it was his offense that propelled Atlanta’s success under Quinn either.

Washington gives Quinn an opportunity to change his narrative.

This Commanders team is almost like a blank canvas. There’s more than $70 million in cap space, the No. 2 overall pick, three picks in the Top 40 and five in the Top 100.

Peters is in charge of finding the players, and there’s real reason to believe he will do just that. Quinn’s job is to coach them, to lead them, and dozens and dozens of people around the NFL say he’s the right person for the job.

Quinn is a safe hire. It’s not going to cause a spike in season ticket sales. But guess what could? Winning ball games.

If Quinn proves to be the coach to finally win in Washington, nobody will care or even remember the ordeal that landed him with the Commanders.

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A group led by Peters and controlling owner Josh Harris is expected to hire a replacement for Ron Rivera within the next few weeks. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Baltimore Ravens assistant coach Mike Macdonald are among the likeliest candidates.

“This is something we dove into headfirst as soon as I was hired,” Peters said Tuesday at his introductory news conference, adding that he’s looking for a good communicator who can be honest, direct and upfront.

“We’re looking for the best leader for this team. We have set criteria that we’re going to be aligned in that vision.”

Harris, who isolated Peters as the right fit to run Washington’s football operations, cited the need for football intelligence and a coach who can attract a strong staff.

“I think IQ matters,” Harris said. “I think it matters increasingly. All of those things will be important, but ultimately (we are looking for) a partner where the three of us can be aligned.”

The ability to hire a new coach and mold an entire front office attracted Peters, 44, to the Commanders after seven years with the San Francisco 49ers. Armed with a five-year deal, he’ll be able to put his stamp on the organization, from the decision of who plays quarterback to what to do with the second pick in the draft.

Asked about all those things, Peters kept coming back to the same premise: “We still have to hire the head coach.”

As for the roster of players that went 4-13, including eight consecutive losses to finish the season, Peters said he thinks there are “a few cornerstone pieces” around but acknowledged there’s a lot of work to do. It does not sound as if he’ll do a complete housecleaning of the front office.

Washington Commanders Jan 16

Commanders make it official, hire 49ers exec Adam Peters as general manager

Washington Commanders Jan 15

Turning Washington from NFL pariah to top destination, Josh Harris scores big with Adam Peters

NFL Jan 12

Commanders hire Adam Peters as general manager in big move for the new ownership, source says

“This is a wonderful group of people here that just needs leadership,” Peters said. “I don’t think there’s wholesale changes needed.”

The opportunity for wholesale changes exists, though, with the most salary cap space of any NFL team and nine draft picks to use. Peters expects the Commanders to be “process-driven and diligent in free agency” but ultimately build through the draft.

“We’re going to build this team the right way: We’re going to build it with a great process and a clear vision,” he said. “The foundation and the resources that this ownership group has given us is all we need, and it’s my job to execute that vision now.”

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Game details

N.Y. Giants (0-1) at Washington (0-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox

BetMGM NFL Odds: Commanders by 1 1/2

Against the spread: New York 0-1; Washington 0-1

Series record: Giants lead 108-71-5.

Last meeting: Giants beat Commanders 31-19 on Nov. 19, 2023, at Washington.

Last week: Giants lost to Vikings 28-6; Commanders lost to Buccaneers 37-20.

Giants offense: overall (26), rush (27), pass (17), scoring (32)

Giants defense: overall (19), rush (15), pass (21), scoring (t-9)

Commanders offense: overall (17), rush (19), pass (19), scoring (t-21)

Commanders defense: overall (26), rush (16), pass (29), scoring (31)

Turnover differential: Giants even; Commanders even

Commanders player to watch

CB Benjamin St-Juste got lit up by Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans last week. Although St-Juste was not solely to blame — a lack of a pass rush did not help — he could be tested again by Daniel Jones throwing over and over to Darius Slayton or first-round pick Malik Nabers.

Giants player to watch

LB Kayvon Thibodeaux has 5 1/2 sacks, seven tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in four games against Washington. He aims for his fifth consecutive game against Washington with a sack. He also should be motivated after getting one quarterback hurry and making no tackles in the opener.

Key matchup

Giants defense vs. the Commanders offensive line. Brian Burns and Thibodeaux were hardly difference-makers against Minnesota, and Washington is motivated to keep rookie QB Jayden Daniels upright and healthy. Daniels is expected to run less and stay in the pocket more, so there will be extra opportunities for New York to force the issue and more time for the offensive line to block.

Key injuries

Giants returner Gunner Olszewski (groin), CB Nick McCloud (knee) and rookie LB Darius Muasau (knee) were ruled out. … Slayton is a game-time decision after going through concussion protocol. … Nabers was limited in practice Thursday because of a knee injury before being full go Friday. … PK Graham Gano (groin) was added to the list Saturday but he is expected to play. … Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes is out after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. … DE Clelin Ferrell (knee), S Quan Martin (hamstring) and rookie DT Johnny Newton (foot) are questionable. Newton could make his NFL debut after missing Week 1 following offseason surgery.

Series notes

The Giants have won the past three and are unbeaten in four, including a 20-20 tie on Dec. 4, 2022. The last Washington win was 22-7 on Jan. 9, 2021, the final game for then-New York GM Dave Gettleman and coach Joe Judge. The Giants had so little offense, Judge elected to have quarterback Jake Fromm run sneaks on second and third down inside his 5 in the second quarter. … This is Dan Quinn’s first game against the Giants as a head coach since Oct. 22, 2018, with Atlanta. He coached against them six times over the previous three seasons as Dallas’ defensive coordinator.

Stats and stuff

Giants QB Daniel Jones is 5-1-1 in seven starts against Washington. He has thrown 10 TDs and run for one with three interceptions. Coming off ACL surgery, he struggled in the opener, completing 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards and two interceptions, including a pick-6. … RB Devin Singletary was limited to 37 yards rushing against Minnesota as the Giants fell behind and threw more. … Nabers had five catches for 66 yards in NFL debut, including two 25-yard receptions. … WR Wan’Dale Robinson had team-high six catches for 44 yards. … DT Dexter Lawrence had New York’s only sack last week, the 22nd of his career. … LB Bobby Okereke had a fumble recovery last week. He had 14 tackles and two forced fumbles in these teams’ last meeting. … Muasau had six tackles and his first interception against Minnesota. … Daniels was 17 of 24 for 184 yards and ran 16 times for 88 yards and two TDs in his NFL debut. … RBs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combined to catch seven passes for 101 yards against the Buccaneers. … WR Terry McLaurin was targeted just four times and made two catches for 17 yards in the season opener. … Zach Ertz is 38 yards away from becoming the 12th tight end in league history to reach 7,500 yards receiving. … DT Jonathan Allen is one sack from tying Brian Orakpo for sixth in Washington’s franchise history, since sacks became an official stat in 1982. … LB Bobby Wagner led the team with 10 tackles, including three for loss, in the opener. … Washington has a new kicker in Austin Seibert after cutting Cade York earlier in the week. York missed his two field goal attempts wide right last week.

Fantasy tip

Nabers could be Jones’ primary target, and the Commanders’ secondary is at best a work in progress and at worst has no answers in the passing game. Jones’ success against Washington in his career also should give pause to anyone thinking about picking up the Commanders defense.

___

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The good news?

As a result of their inadequacies, Washington will be rewarded with the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Expect major changes in Washington prior to the draft. Head coach Ron Rivera could be fired at any moment and certainly isn’t expected to last another week in that position.

Since Rivera was the leader of the Commanders operation (a coach-centric approach that’s been a mistake), there likely will be a complete sweep of the front office and coaching staff. That may not happen with the same expediency as Rivera’s ouster, but it’s likely still happening.

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As for the players on the field, some are under long-term contract, but expect the roster to flip over, and that includes at quarterback. Sam Howell became the first Washington QB to start every game in a single season since Kirk Cousins in 2017, but unfortunately, Howell slumped in a major way to finish the year. He’s thrown at least one interception in the last seven games and multiple picks in the last three games.

The excitement that surrounded the sale of the franchise last summer now finally becomes a reality. The 2023 Commanders were put together with Dan Snyder at the helm. Harris didn’t take over until a week before training camp. Time didn’t allow for his group to put their stamp on this season.

That changes now. Harris, a D.C. native that got to watch his team get blown out at home in a stadium packed with Cowboys fans, has patiently watched and observed for 17 games. Now’s the time for action.

The only thing to sell now in Washington is hope. High draft picks usually mean rookie quarterbacks, and at No. 2 Washington will have plenty of strong options.

A new coach. A new structure. A new quarterback.

That’s what Commanders fans have to look forward to in 2024.

About his four years in charge. About handling off-field issues that had nothing to do with football. About how this season under new ownership went wrong on the field after a hopeful start.

And about how everyone knows change is on the horizon following the season finale Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Rivera acknowledged controlling owner Josh Harris will be splitting general manager and coaching duties moving forward, with a fresh start coming for the organization in the next few weeks.

“It’ll be separate, and that, I think, is going to be really good,” Rivera said Friday after running his final practice of the year and, possibly, his NFL career.

The respected coaching veteran, who turns 62 Sunday and could be dismissed as early as Monday morning, had largely been reluctant to talk about his tenure in Washington. He got wrapped up in the day-to-day coaching that ramped up after Thanksgiving when he fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and started calling the defensive plays.

Being back in the thick of coaching after three and a half years of what he called “managing” gave Rivera a thrill and reminded him how much he missed having a hands-on approach.

“I had certain responsibilities before that — you get pulled away from certain things,” Rivera said. “You got to deal with certain things, you got to respond to certain things, you got to correct or set up, so that was different. But being in the middle of it now, yeah, that’s kind of cool.”

Rivera has ‘been very encouraging of us,’ McLaurin says

The Commanders (4-12) have lost seven in a row, and any talk of playoff contention was gone in November. But team leaders never sensed anything from Rivera about giving up on a lost season, even knowing he wouldn’t be back, barring a sudden, unforeseen change of events.

“He’s been very encouraging of us,” top wide receiver Terry McLaurin said. “He hasn’t really come down with a bad demeanor or a ‘woe is me’ attitude because of our season. I think we all know we’ve had a hand in where we’re at, but he’s just kept things consistent for us.”

Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has adopted a similar approach of digging into his job and not addressing his uncertain future. After coming to Washington to work under a defensive coach to show what he could do away from Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes and potentially get an NFL head-coaching job, this season has not gone as planned and left Bieniemy in a sort of no man’s land.

“The only thing I can worry about and control is today,” Bieniemy said Thursday. “You can only live in this particular moment. You can’t worry about tomorrow. You can take care of tomorrow when tomorrow gets here.”

Rivera said he thinks Bieniemy can still get a head coaching gig based on his time in Kansas City, when the Chiefs won two Super Bowls.

“I’m talking about his whole career,” Rivera said. “I mean, guys who’ve done less have gotten opportunities.”

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Defensively, the effort was fine, particularly in the red zone — but not good enough to beat a good 49ers team. Offensively, Washington moved the ball relatively well, but a pair of interceptions doomed an otherwise solid start from Sam Howell.

Sam Howell? Yes, despite Commanders head coach Ron Rivera publicly benching Howell on Wednesday, the second-year passer still got the start after a late-week hamstring injury to veteran Jacoby Brissett.

The quarterback roller coaster aside, Washington put forth a tough effort in a contest that Las Vegas oddsmakers expected them to lose by two touchdowns. San Francisco is a significantly better team than Washington, and eventually that talent won out.

The Niners are stacked with stars seemingly all over the field, although none of them exactly went off. San Francisco star running back Christian McCaffrey looked dominant early, but he was kept out of the end zone on multiple red zone tries before leaving the game in the second half with a leg issue. Deebo Samuel played well and scored a touchdown, but the stats don’t jump off the page. Chase Young, the former No. 2 overall pick for Washington, came back to town wearing a Niners jersey and had a quiet performance.

It was a pretty sleepy afternoon in a stadium packed with 49ers fans, and the Washington faithful seemed more ready for the season to end than another week of meaningless games.

There are no secrets about the Commanders situation.

At 4-12, the meaningful portion of the 2023 season has been closed for some time, and it seems that major wholesale changes will be coming after the Week 18 finale against Dallas.

The big questions — new coach, new general manager, new quarterback — won’t be answered for at least another week, and some could take multiple weeks. So that leaves Washington fans in an odd limbo.

The reality is: With a high draft pick in real range, there’s not much incentive to win games, but the players on the field still have no choice but to go all out.

Sunday’s loss to the Niners was nothing but another reminder that the end is near for the Rivera era in Washington.

San Francisco is built to win championships. Washington couldn’t even keep it close.

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When a quarterback gets benched, it usually directly correlates to a loss, and that theory holds true as the Commanders fell to the Jets 30-28.

Washington’s issue was not losing to the Jets, it was the outright embarrassing performance that Ron Rivera’s team delivered. At halftime, the Commanders trailed the Jets 27-7. Keep in mind, New York got blown out by the Dolphins last week 30-0, and were starting their fourth-string QB in Trevor Simian.

Rivera eventually pulled Howell midway through the third quarter after throwing his second interception. Both of the picks had unfortunate circumstances: a first quarter INT was a result of Logan Thomas not making a catch, and then the second INT Curtis Samuel fell down on the route. But still, the entire outing was bad from Howell. He only completed 6 of 22 passes. That’s below 30 percent completions.

Brissett did impress in the second half when the veteran passer immediately rallied the Commanders from a three-touchdown hole before taking the lead late in the fourth quarter 28-27. New York needed a 54-yard field goal just before time expired to snatch back the victory.

As great as the second half was for Brissett, the big picture in Washington looks primed for a blowout. 

Howell is hardly the only problem. The team started the day down two starters on the offensive line in Charles Leno and Tyler Larsen, and lost right tackle Andrew Wylie during the game. The team does not run the ball enough, and has not all year.

The defense is statistically awful—the worst in the NFL. But there was some thought that against a terrible Jets offense, Washington’s group would win the day. The opposite proved true. Special teams had its usual share of problems, including a blocked punt in the first quarter.

Being this bad in the NFL takes a true team effort. And at least that’s delivering.

While Commanders fans may wish to forget this loss amid the Christmas holiday, there is some value to such a humiliating loss.

Clarity.

Clarity is hard to find. Life is full of complexities and ambiguities that make it hard to see the truth. Make things cloudy.

But a loss like this—to the FREAKING JETS—should provide real clarity to Commanders managing partner Josh Harris.

Whatever the sales pitch is, whatever the explanation, whatever the spin, the Washington organization needs a total rebuild. This sink hole of a season is not Sam Howell’s fault. It’s not the offensive line’s fault. It’s not the constantly abused secondary.

This is the operation Ron Rivera has built. Coach-centric. Total control. Rivera and his top aides put this product together, and the Jets made it known that the Washington product is not good enough. Not even close.

That much is crystal clear.

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The weather was beautiful; Southern California flexed its best muscles for the Commanders visit to SoFi Stadium. But the game was never in doubt.

The Rams won 28-20, and convincingly despite two first-half turnovers. Los Angeles will continue its playoff race.

Contrast that to Washington, a team now officially eliminated from playoff contention. And frankly, just watching the play on the field is enough to know that this is not a playoff team.

Football is comprised of three phases: offense, defense and special teams. Sunday, all three were bad.

At halftime, Washington’s offense generated just three first downs. Three. Sam Howell and the Commanders offense converted 14.3% of their third down chances in the game’s first 30 minutes.

The defensive numbers were almost inverted from the offensive stats. The Commanders defense, famously simplified by Ron Rivera after the Thanksgiving firing of Jack Del Rio, surrendered a staggering 242 yards in the first half. L.A. converted seven of nine third downs. The Rams almost doubled up the Commanders in time of possession.

And if that first half wasn’t bad enough, on just the second Rams snap of the second half, QB Matthew Stafford delivered a 62-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp, who was wildly wide open even for Commanders defense standards.

Making matters worse, Washington also had a major special team’s blunder that could have resulted in an injury to one of the Commanders’ best players. Long snapper Cameron Cheeseman wobbled a low dribbler back to punter Tress Way, who made a very athletic play to field the snap, and then got blasted by the Rams defense. Way was evaluated for a concussion and treated for a back injury, but was able to stay in the game.

Rivera’s refusal to address the long snapping woes of Cheeseman has been a problem all season, and though the list is long of what needs to change this offseason, that position is definitely on the list.

Washington has three games left before an offseason expected to be a full overhaul. The Commanders have now lost five games in a row and six of their last seven. Rivera’s squad really hasn’t been competitive in a contest since early November.

There was a stretch of the year where the losses seemed less important than the development of the young quarterback. That stretch has ended too, as Howell has sputtered against increased competition. Against the Rams, Howell came out in the fourth quarter after a series of injuries along the offensive line. There was no injury.

Before he was pulled, Howell completed just 11 passes on 26 attempts for 102 yards with a touchdown and an interception. There were a number of batted passes and balls that could have been picked off, too.

Backup QB Jacoby Brissett immediately breathed new life into the Washington offense, completing his first four passes, including a 29-yard touchdown throw to Terry McLaurin. The offense with Brissett looked immediately better, and while sure, the Rams were running soft shell defense, still the performance might raise some tough questions. Or provide real answers.

All signs point to Washington landing a top five draft pick in the spring, and with that type of draft position, the conversation about a quarterback needs to be real.

For months as the losses have piled up for the Commanders, Ron Rivera has stressed how important developing a young QB is for the franchise. He’s said it over and over, almost like a crutch.

Well, after benching Howell in L.A., that’s going to be harder to rely on, and there might not be any other crutches left.

Game details

N.Y. Giants (0-1) at Washington (0-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox

BetMGM NFL Odds: Commanders by 1 1/2

Against the spread: New York 0-1; Washington 0-1

Series record: Giants lead 108-71-5.

Last meeting: Giants beat Commanders 31-19 on Nov. 19, 2023, at Washington.

Last week: Giants lost to Vikings 28-6; Commanders lost to Buccaneers 37-20.

Giants offense: overall (26), rush (27), pass (17), scoring (32)

Giants defense: overall (19), rush (15), pass (21), scoring (t-9)

Commanders offense: overall (17), rush (19), pass (19), scoring (t-21)

Commanders defense: overall (26), rush (16), pass (29), scoring (31)

Turnover differential: Giants even; Commanders even

Commanders player to watch

CB Benjamin St-Juste got lit up by Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans last week. Although St-Juste was not solely to blame — a lack of a pass rush did not help — he could be tested again by Daniel Jones throwing over and over to Darius Slayton or first-round pick Malik Nabers.

Giants player to watch

LB Kayvon Thibodeaux has 5 1/2 sacks, seven tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in four games against Washington. He aims for his fifth consecutive game against Washington with a sack. He also should be motivated after getting one quarterback hurry and making no tackles in the opener.

Key matchup

Giants defense vs. the Commanders offensive line. Brian Burns and Thibodeaux were hardly difference-makers against Minnesota, and Washington is motivated to keep rookie QB Jayden Daniels upright and healthy. Daniels is expected to run less and stay in the pocket more, so there will be extra opportunities for New York to force the issue and more time for the offensive line to block.

Key injuries

Giants returner Gunner Olszewski (groin), CB Nick McCloud (knee) and rookie LB Darius Muasau (knee) were ruled out. … Slayton is a game-time decision after going through concussion protocol. … Nabers was limited in practice Thursday because of a knee injury before being full go Friday. … PK Graham Gano (groin) was added to the list Saturday but he is expected to play. … Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes is out after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. … DE Clelin Ferrell (knee), S Quan Martin (hamstring) and rookie DT Johnny Newton (foot) are questionable. Newton could make his NFL debut after missing Week 1 following offseason surgery.

Series notes

The Giants have won the past three and are unbeaten in four, including a 20-20 tie on Dec. 4, 2022. The last Washington win was 22-7 on Jan. 9, 2021, the final game for then-New York GM Dave Gettleman and coach Joe Judge. The Giants had so little offense, Judge elected to have quarterback Jake Fromm run sneaks on second and third down inside his 5 in the second quarter. … This is Dan Quinn’s first game against the Giants as a head coach since Oct. 22, 2018, with Atlanta. He coached against them six times over the previous three seasons as Dallas’ defensive coordinator.

Stats and stuff

Giants QB Daniel Jones is 5-1-1 in seven starts against Washington. He has thrown 10 TDs and run for one with three interceptions. Coming off ACL surgery, he struggled in the opener, completing 22 of 42 passes for 186 yards and two interceptions, including a pick-6. … RB Devin Singletary was limited to 37 yards rushing against Minnesota as the Giants fell behind and threw more. … Nabers had five catches for 66 yards in NFL debut, including two 25-yard receptions. … WR Wan’Dale Robinson had team-high six catches for 44 yards. … DT Dexter Lawrence had New York’s only sack last week, the 22nd of his career. … LB Bobby Okereke had a fumble recovery last week. He had 14 tackles and two forced fumbles in these teams’ last meeting. … Muasau had six tackles and his first interception against Minnesota. … Daniels was 17 of 24 for 184 yards and ran 16 times for 88 yards and two TDs in his NFL debut. … RBs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combined to catch seven passes for 101 yards against the Buccaneers. … WR Terry McLaurin was targeted just four times and made two catches for 17 yards in the season opener. … Zach Ertz is 38 yards away from becoming the 12th tight end in league history to reach 7,500 yards receiving. … DT Jonathan Allen is one sack from tying Brian Orakpo for sixth in Washington’s franchise history, since sacks became an official stat in 1982. … LB Bobby Wagner led the team with 10 tackles, including three for loss, in the opener. … Washington has a new kicker in Austin Seibert after cutting Cade York earlier in the week. York missed his two field goal attempts wide right last week.

Fantasy tip

Nabers could be Jones’ primary target, and the Commanders’ secondary is at best a work in progress and at worst has no answers in the passing game. Jones’ success against Washington in his career also should give pause to anyone thinking about picking up the Commanders defense.

___

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It wasn’t their worst loss—that was probably Chicago or maybe the second Giants game—and it wasn’t at all surprising. Miami is quite good and Washington is not. At all.

But there was nothing redeeming about this defeat. Nothing. The weather was bad, Sam Howell was hardly sharp, Brian Robinson hurt his hamstring, and the defense continued on their downward spiral of embarrassment.

In a Commanders organization with a million questions, Sunday’s game revealed one truth to even the most devoted fans: the current structure is broken and needs to be torn down and replaced.

The Dolphins have explosive players and brilliant schematics that put those players in position to succeed.

Washington has, well, what exactly?

Now sitting at 4-9, losers of four straight and six of their last seven, the Commanders have little left to do. There’s not a trick or strategy to get some different results. Ron Rivera already fired his defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, like that was the team’s only problem.

Washington owner Josh Harris has no choice but to clean house as soon as this season ends. This is Rivera’s operation and has been for four years. The results had been mediocre until this year, though mediocrity now feels a significant step up from the current level of abysmal play.

The real questions that matter are what happens in January, after this season whimpers to a close. Harris needs to look far and wide for his answers, and perhaps Miami provided a preview.

Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith will be a hot head-coaching candidate, and certainly Miami’s offense impressed. Look at the Miami front office, too, where assistant general manager Marvin Allen has an impressive resume and might want to get a chance to run his own shop.

What has Miami built? They aggressively traded for Tyreek Hill a few years back, paid him handsomely, and he’s delivered some of the best wide receiver play in the NFL ever since.

At halftime, Hill had more yards at halftime (142) than the entire Commanders offense (130).

Washington has four games remaining with a bye week on tap. It’s going to be very difficult for Rivera to find new reasons to motivate these players coming back after a bye week, but at the same time, this is pro football, a game without guaranteed contracts, and players will always go all out.

The Dolphins held a 31-7 lead at halftime, and during the second half, the most lively the home crowd got was when free t-shirts were thrown out into the crowd.

Josh Harris didn’t pay $6 billion for a listless home stadium the first weekend in December. Josh Harris didn’t pay $6 billion for a home stadium filled with Dolphins fans. And Josh Harris certainly didn’t pay $6 billion to watch his team get smoked, week after week after week.

The end is near. The bye week will give Commanders fans a pleasant break of not losing next weekend.

Pink Floyd has a famous song, “Comfortably Numb,” where the lyrics explain, “There is no pain you are receding/ Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying/ The dream is gone.” That about sums up the Commanders Week 13 performance against Miami. Winter is coming in Washington, and with it, an overhaul of a shattered franchise.

The Giants came into FedEx Field with a 2-8 record and with a third-stringer that lives with his parents as their starting quarterback,  and still gained 246 yards passing to go with three touchdowns. That quarterback’s name is Tommy DeVito, and last week in a loss to the Cowboys he accounted for just 86 yards passing.

Washington’s defense did generate a strong pass rush, but when the blitz wasn’t on, DeVito picked apart the Commanders secondary.

This is not the type of the loss that suggests major changes need to be discussed.

This is the type of loss that demands major changes be made.

Ron Rivera’s group turned the ball over throughout the afternoon, finishing with three fumbles in different fashions including on a kick return and three interceptions from young QB Sam Howell. He played well in spurts but did not have his most accurate day as a passer.

Howell did prove his toughness on a touchdown run just before halftime, where he pinballed off a series of defenders before blasting into the end zone. For the day Howell finished 31 of 45 for 255 yards with a touchdown and the three picks, in what proved a disappointing afternoon. 

Washington has another game in four days, playing the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving. It’s possible that the tight time window will prevent Commanders ownership from having some tough discussions about the future of Rivera and the staff he’s assembled.

But those conversations need to be had, whether it’s Thursday night while munching leftover turkey, or sooner.

The Commanders not only lost to a bad Giants team engulfed in turmoil, the Giants blew them out. Washington generated nine sacks, nearly tying a franchise record, and still spent much of the fourth quarter down two scores.

Was there a bit of a comeback attempt late in the fourth quarter? Sure. Want to read a glowing piece on the positives to take from this game? Look elsewhere.

There’s an old saying in the NFL: “You can’t lose at home to a third-string QB and keep your job.”

Actually that’s not an old saying, but maybe it should be.

Down 26-19 with about a minute left, Howell made his best throw of the day on a 35-yard touchdown connection with Dyami Brown that tied up the game. It was the type of throw that elevates a quarterback’s reputation around the league, and for Howell, that arrow continues to point up.

That left the Seahawks with too much time though, and QB Geno Smith led a 7-play, 50-yard drive for the game-winning field goal where Washington’s defense was carved up like deli meat.

Howell played well throughout the game, but for most of the contest, Washington could get nothing going down the field. All of his big plays were limited to dump offs to running backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson that then broke tackles for chunk gains.

Defensively, the Commanders’ pass rush was largely non-existent in the first half, though much better in the second half. Seahawks QB Geno Smith finished over 300 yards passing and threw two touchdowns.

A particularly rough stretch for the Washington defense came late in the fourth quarter in a tied contest. Over the course of four plays, cornerback Benjamin St. Juste was flagged for two brutal penalties. The first–a questionable pass interference call–came on 4th down that would have sent the Seattle offense off the field.

The second, a no brainer facemask, gave the Seahawks possession at the Washington 4-yard line. Two plays later, Seattle wide receiver Tyler Lockett hauled in a touchdown pass. Who was in coverage? St. Juste.

Washington got another chance late in the game to try and tie it up, but proved unable. Throughout the game the Commanders seemed overly reliant on the aerial attack and got away from running the ball, except for a very effective fourth-quarter scoring drive that showcased Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson.

Prior to that drive, the run/pass disparity was significant. At halftime Washington had run the ball just five times compared to Seattle’s 12 carries. And it wasn’t like the Seahawks relied on the run: Geno Smith had 23 pass attempts at the half, more than Howell. But it sure seemed that even the threat of the run game was nonexistent for Washington.

Early in the game came plenty of action, and not just on Robinson’s huge catch and score. Rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes got thrown out of the game just five minutes in for a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Clearly Forbes’ actions warranted the penalty. The hit was high. But the ejection? On a rookie that hardly has a reputation for overly physical football? In the first five minutes of the game? Questionable decision to say the least.

Washington now sits a 4-6, and while the team might have finally found an answer at quarterback, the questions remain significant for the rest of the roster, staff and front office.

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Throughout the contest, however, Washington had something that the Patriots did not: a quarterback.

Sam Howell impressed, again, and gave the Burgundy and Gold just enough to improve to 4-5 on the season. He finished the game with 325 yards on 29 completions with one touchdown. Howell made big throw after big throw in a tight game with arguably the greatest coach of all time scheming against him.

It wasn’t all perfect, certainly, as Washington jumped out to an early 10-0 lead before a pair of turnovers gifted the Patriots 14 points and a deficit at halftime.

There are bad calls, there are awful calls and then there’s what happened to Commanders defensive lineman K.J. Henry early in the third quarter.

The rookie out of Clemson rushed off the left edge towards Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, beat the offensive tackle and zeroed in for the sack. It was a great play, everything the coaching staff wants to see, and Henry even forced a fumble on the tackle.

Except when the flag came out.

Inexplicably, the referees called a roughing the passer penalty on the play. Understanding we live in a world of hyperbole and microwave hot takes, still, this may have been the worst roughing call of all time.

There were other bad calls, plenty of them, but nothing like the roughing call on Henry. That penalty gave New England a first down, and they’d kick a field goal shortly after.

Beyond the bad calls, Washington turned the ball over twice, which good teams don’t do. A first-half fumble from Brian Robinson completely changed the momentum of the game, and New England scored three plays later. A defensive lapse allowed New England’s second touchdown, a 64-yard touchdown run by Rhamondre Stevenson where the running back was hardly touched as he sprinted down the field.

Still, after a rough week in the Commanders locker room that saw two former first-round picks in Montez Sweat and Chase Young get traded, Washington proved they could take a punch and keep fighting. It helped that Patriots QB Mac Jones stinks, but still, this was a well-earned win.

Washington might not have enough to compete for championships. But Washington has something in Howell.

That’s enough for a team to build around for the long-term, and on Sunday in Massachusetts, Howell proved enough for a team to rally around for a victory.

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Harris didn’t pay $6.05 billion for the franchise to chase Wild Card playoff spots. Harris wants to compete for championships, even if that title chase may take time.

Trading Montez Sweat to Chicago in exchange for a 2024 second round pick doesn’t make Washington better for a Week 9 matchup in New England. Trading Chase Young to San Francisco for a 2024 compensatory third round pick certainly doesn’t make Washington better for a Week 13 matchup against Miami.

Sweat is a really good player. Young might be a great player if he ever stays healthy.

Both help the Commanders now. Trading them away is about building for the future.

This has been the Harris plan in previous stops in other sports, most famously in Philadelphia, where his 76ers enacted “the process,” a series of moves to break down the basketball roster and then acquire high draft picks to build back a true title contender.

While the Sixers aren’t title contenders quite yet, they’re a perennial playoff team with a league MVP, and it seems like Philly could be on the precipice.

It’s important to point out that the NFL is not the NBA, and a true multi-year “trust the process” tear down should not be the vision for the Commanders. But it is time for the new Harris ownership group to reconfigure expectations and organization goals.

Washington hasn’t been a perennial playoff team since the 1980s. Coincidentally or not, Washington hasn’t acted with a long-term vision since that time period either.

Under previous owner Dan Snyder, the organization operated with a reactionary vision aimed at chasing playoff spots no matter what. It wasn’t about titles. Remember the Kirk “Kurt” Cousins fiasco? It was haphazard and shortsighted.

Harris may not prove to be an NFL champion, time will tell, but he’s already showing long-term vision.

The current version of the Commanders built by head coach Ron Rivera is not a title contender. At 3-5 they’re unlikely even a playoff team. There are some good pieces, but the group has shown zero consistency.

Considering Rivera has not won a playoff game in his three-plus seasons in Washington, some fans want him ousted now. Or at least defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

That’s fine, there’s some logic in those thoughts, but those staff changes will likely happen at some point. And they’re less important than trading away Sweat and Young.

At some point Harris seems highly likely to make significant changes in the front office and on the coaching staff. The trade deadline, however, presented a finite period to make a move. And Harris moved.

At present Washington holds three picks in the top 45 of the 2024 NFL Draft — their own first- and second-round picks in addition to the newly acquired selection from the Bears, and should own five picks in the Top 100. Perhaps they’ll add more, or package the picks to move up, or move back. There are a ton of options.

There is also room to discuss if the return compensation was enough for the players traded away. Sweat for a second seems fair for all parties. Young for a comp pick third will lead to questions, but remember, while talent isn’t a question, health and durability are for the former No. 2 overall pick.

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What does seem clear is that Harris is now acting on his instinct of building a championship team as he promised at his introductory press conference when he bought the team. Trading away Sweat may sting a bit, he’s been a good player and largely durable, but he also only had nine games remaining on his contract. Young was in the same contractual boat, and considering the money already committed to Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, new ownership needed to examine how much was too much to spend on the defensive line.

What’s more, even with Sweat and Young, the Commanders have the 31st ranked defense in points allowed through eight games. There’s only 32 teams, so their departures can’t make that much of a difference in the remaining nine contests.

But that’s the point: This isn’t about the remaining nine games. This is about the future.

A future with Harris at the helm, not Snyder, and a future that may finally be looking bright.

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Sam Howell and the Commanders offense flipped the entire script from the previous seven weeks. Howell wasn’t sacked the first three quarters of the game after taking 40 in the first seven games and surrendering five sacks in the first half last week.

As a group, the Washington offense performed at a highly productive rate. At halftime Howell had just one incompletion and two touchdown throws. All of the things that were awful last week against New York – protections, Howell’s accuracy, play calling questions – suddenly changed.

But eventually the magical carriage turned back into a Halloween pumpkin. Carved up.

Howell threw a fourth quarter interception that gave the Eagles possession inside the Commanders red zone. Two plays later and an incredible catch from Julio Jones, Philly took their first lead of the day at 31-24.

Prior to Howell’s interception, Washington and Philadelphia traded fourth quarter touchdowns on impressive drives to set the stage for a tough finish. Howell hit Logan Thomas for a near perfect touchdown throw and catch, and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts responded with a 38-yard touchdown throw to DeVonta Smith that tied the game at 24.

Even before the killer interception, it wasn’t all perfect.

Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown torched the Commanders secondary. Again. In the Week 4 overtime loss in Philadelphia, the Commanders made the mistake of leaving first-round rookie corner Emmanuel Forbes matched up against Brown. It was a one-sided affair as Brown finished the game with 175 yards and two touchdowns.

Based on that, logic would suggest Forbes no longer covers Brown, and certainly not without help. And yet, it happened again. Brown finished with eight yards and two touchdowns.

If that strategic mistake wasn’t enough, Ron Rivera also suffered from a curious mental lapse. Late in the third quarter, the Eagles went for a gutsy fourth down play. Quarterback Jalen Hurts dropped back, scrambled and eventually fired to WR DeVonta Smith, who caught the ball for a 17-yard gain. Apparently.

The refs ruled a catch and the Eagles offense smartly hustled to the ball and ran a play. But even in real time the catch looked suspect and the entire Commanders sideline jumped up and down screaming incomplete. Three plays later, Hurts connected with Brown to tie the game on a 25-yard TD.

To not challenge that fourth down play seems an egregious oversight, not just in hindsight where it’s clear as day Smith didn’t catch the ball, but in realtime too. It was worth the risk even if the definitive video had not yet emerged to the Washington booth.

Late in the game as Washington tried to score one more touchdown to tie it up, Terry McLaurin had a pair of uncharacteristic drops on key plays. Neither pass was easy to bring in, but McLaurin will undoubtedly be mad about not making the play when it was there.

There was also another bizarre challenge situation where Rivera did throw the red flag just prior to the final two-minute warning, only that also backfired. The referee microphone wasn’t working and the situation seemed like pure chaos, but eventually, the challenged call on Dotson’s catch was overruled.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts did not look 100 percent in this game but still proved devastatingly effective. He finished 29 of 38 for 319 yards and four touchdowns.

There’s a harsh reality soon to set in for Washington. They can play the Eagles tough, but they can’t beat them. The Eagles are a championship contender, and Washington definitely isn’t.

The trade deadline looms. There will be questions about staff changes. The answers aren’t pretty.

New York is 1-5, losers of four straight, and limps into the matchup with a -96-point differential. Bookmakers have installed the Commanders as a 2.5-point favorite even though the game will be played at MetLife Stadium, hardly a kind visiting spot for Washington.

Keep in mind, however, this is an NFC East game. These games rarely go as experts expect, and last season, the Giants basically ruined the Commanders’ playoff chances in consecutive December games that ended in a tie and a loss for Washington.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Washington sits at 3-3 after six games, the franchise’s best record through six games since the 2018 season.

2. In the early stages of his NFL career, Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has joined some interesting company using his arms and his legs. Only three QBs have more than 1,600 passing yards, 135 rush yards and a completion percentage of 67% or more in their first seven starts: Robert Griffin III, Justin Herbert and Howell.

3. For all of Howell’s positive stats, he remains the most sacked quarterback in the NFL. He’s been sacked 34 times and has lost 215 sack yards. Behind Howell in sack count is Giants QB Daniel Jones, who missed the Week 6 loss to the Bills with a neck injury and is doubtful for Sunday’s game against Washington. Jones has been sacked 28 times.

4. Since entering the NFL in 2019, Terry McLaurin leads all NFL wide receivers with 1,807 receiving yards in NFC East play. Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb is second with 1,259 receiving yards, though he entered the NFL in 2020.

5. In seven career games against the Giants, McLaurin has 50 catches for 650 yards and three touchdowns. He’s averaged 13 yards-per-reception against New York.

6. On the season, Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat has four-and-a-half sacks and nine QB hits, good for fourth in the NFC in each category.

7. The Giants offensive line has dealt with significant injury and five different combinations have started along the line in six games. Tackle Evan Neal is the only Week 1 starter expected to play in Sunday’s matchup, and that’s not a sure thing.

8. The Giants 1-5 record is clearly awful, and their point differential is the worst in the NFL. Still, that record might not tell the whole story.

9. Between the offensive line injuries and uncertainty at quarterback, New York’s offense has been awful.

10. New York’s defense played well last week in a loss to the Bills, allowing only 14 points. But the vaunted Giant pass rush has been abysmal. They rank last in the NFL with just five sacks on the season. It’s worth noting, however, that the Bears and Falcons both rank in the bottom five of the NFL in sacks, and both defenses registered five sacks against Washington.

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D.C. hired two firms to conduct a study on the best uses of public money to invest in the District’s current sports venues like Nationals Park and Capital One Arena and how to finance a new football stadium. The $400,000 contract was awarded to Jones Lang LaSalle — one of the largest real estate firms in the world — and the Robert Bobb Group. Bobb served as city administrator under Mayor Tony Williams and also served on Mayor Muriel Bowser’s mayoral transition team.

Bowser took part in the ceremonial removal of bleachers from RFK Stadium in December, when the plan was for the stadium to be torn down by the end of 2023. That’s not likely to happen as the National Park Service is still in the midst of an environmental assessment of the site before giving the District permission to take it down.

An NPS spokesperson said currently there doesn’t immediately appear to be an issue that would cause the NPS to not approve the demolition.

Ebony Payne, advisory neighborhood commissioner for the community around RFK, has lived near the stadium her entire life.

“Well, it’s been very quiet the past couple of decades, and I think the community has gotten used to that quietness,” she said.

“The community has definitely gotten used to the football team being gone, and so the potential to bring them back is probably the most significant change that we’re facing in a generation,” Payne said.

She and a neighborhood group are hosting the forum with Bowser. The neighborhood group conducted a survey and heard from more than 2,000 residents near RFK.

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“What we found — it’s not a big surprise to most — but two-thirds of the community were heavily opposed to a new stadium,” Payne said. “But there was a lot of support for a parks and nature complex and a sports and recreation complex. So, I’m looking forward to hearing what Mayor Bowser has planned for those.”

Payne hopes the mayor listens to what she and her neighbors have to say tomorrow night

“We are fully engaged and want a seat at the table and want our voices to be heard, and I really believe that if the mayor embraces the community and what they want to see, that it will be a really positive result,” she said.

Wednesday’s public meeting starts at 7 p.m. at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church at 320 21st St. NE.

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The Chicago Bears came to town riding a 14-game losing streak and mopped the floor with Washington, winning 40-20 in a game that was probably not actually that close.

The first half was all Bears, and it began from the opening kickoff. It only took Chicago six plays to go 75 yards and score its first touchdown. The Bears would score another 10 straight points to take a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter before Washington responded with a field goal. 

At halftime, Chicago’s lead stretched to 27-3. Read that again.

In the second half, Washington got some offense going and got a few stops, but it was the definition of too little, too late. Quarterback Sam Howell looked good, but overall, there’s not much else to like from this game.

There are real questions to be asked about Washington’s readiness for this game, particularly on defense. Chicago is now the fourth straight Commanders opponent to score at least 30 points.

‘No intensity or fire’

For at least one member of the Commanders’ new ownership group, the conversation has already begun. Magic Johnson took to X in the minutes after Washington’s ugly loss.

“Tonight the Commanders played with no intensity or fire,” Johnson wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We didn’t compete in the first half and got down 27-3 heading into halftime. It was too big of a hole to climb out of and that is why we ended up losing 40-20.”

Ron Rivera made a series of questionable calls on fourth downs. In the second quarter facing 4th and 4 from the Chicago 33-yard-line and down 17-0, Rivera elected to kick a field goal. Faced with a similar situation in the third quarter (4th and 2 from the Chicago 13 and Washington trailing 27-11), Rivera kicked another field goal.

Analytic models did not like either call, but particularly the third quarter decision.

Eventually, in the fourth quarter, when Washington had a chance to cut the Bears lead to a touchdown, Commanders kicker Joey Slye missed the field goal. On the subsequent Bears possession, Justin Fields hit D.J. Moore for a 56-yard touchdown pass to make the score 37-20.

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Moore absolutely destroyed the Commanders, scoring three times and going for 230 receiving yards on eight catches. Washington’s secondary looked awful throughout the contest, struggling in coverage and tackling, and it sure looked like rookie first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes got benched in the second half of the loss.

Since July, when Josh Harris took over as the new Washington managing partner, his ownership group has largely enjoyed good news and fun results. That’s over now.

Losing to the previously winless Bears creates a new conversation about this season and beyond. Losing by multiple touchdowns puts those conversations in overdrive.

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The offensive game plan deployed by Eric Bieniemy seemed a refreshed approach. Short passes, moving pockets and an increased focus on the run game seemed a fairly stark departure from the blowout loss to Buffalo the week before, though it’s worth pointing out that Washington also had no turnovers. It’s much easier to run an efficient and fast offense without five turnovers.

Defensively, it was a different story.

Strategically, it made sense for head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio to sell out to slow the Eagles’ run game. That worked. After two previous games where Eagles running back D’Andre Swift ran for more than 300 yards combined, Washington limited the Eagles runner to just 56 yards on the ground.

The Commanders plan was for Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts to beat them from the pocket, but unfortunately, he did. The one adjustment that would have helped would have involved helping rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes or even moving him off Eagles star WR A.J. Brown. He dominated the contest, scoring twice and going for 175 yards on nine catches. Brown torched Forbes, and all Commander fans can hope is that the rookie will learn from the experience.

There is good news coming for Washington, now, and that is playing the struggling Chicago Bears. Here’s 10 things to know for the matchup:

1) Chicago’s defense has two sacks on the season. Two. In four games. Howell has been facing a ton of pressure so far this year, but that should dissipate against the Bears.

2) Speaking of pressures, in Washington’s two wins this season, defensive end Montez Sweat has three sacks. In Washington’s two losses this season, Sweat has zero. It would be a good night for a Sweat sack.

3) Washington has a 23-21-1 lifetime record against Chicago and is 2-0 all-time against the Bears on Thursday night.

4) The Commanders will be wearing their “battle black” uniforms, which look great, but unfortunately, the results in the all-blacks have not been. The Commanders are 1-2 wearing that combo.

5) The Bears and the Carolina Panthers are the only winless teams in the NFL.

6) Chicago ranks as the second worst (31st) defense in the NFL in points allowed and has the 21st best scoring offense. Washington isn’t much better. The Commanders have the 29th scoring defense and 17th best scoring offense.

7) A noted runner in college, Howell rushed just five times combined in the Commanders first three games of the season. Last week against the Eagles in objectively Howell’s best ever NFL game, Howell ran six times. Expect to see the young QB use his legs more.

8) Chicago’s best offensive threat is wide receiver D.J. Moore, a University of Maryland product. Moore has 24 targets through four games. Washington has three wide receivers at 20 or more targets: Terry McLaurin (26), Jahan Dotson (25) and Curtis Samuel (20). Dotson and Samuel landed on the injury report this week, but both will play against Chicago.

9) Howell has been sacked an NFL high 24 times, and he’s lost 156 yards due to sacks. Bears QB Justin Fields has been sacked 17 times for 116 yards. The 17 sacks ranks as third-most in the NFL.

10) Commanders running back Brian Robinson ranks 13th in the NFL in carries (62) and rush yards (261). He ranks only behind Christian McCaffrey (23) in rushes that result in first downs (20).

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