The Washington Commanders have now lost four of their last five games after Sunday’s disappointing 14-7 loss to the 1-5 New York Giants. The Commanders, 3-4, will host the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, a rematch from their Week 4 meeting, which Philadelphia won 34-31 in overtime.
Washington began the season 2-0 before being blown out 37-3 at home to the Buffalo Bills in Week 3. But the Commanders rebounded by almost beating the defending NFC champions on the road in Week 4. That led many to believe Washington’s performance in Week 3 may have been an aberration.
Unfortunately for the Commanders, losses to the 0-4 Bears and 1-5 Giants make it painfully clear where Washington resides in the NFL.
How far did the Commanders fall in the latest rankings? As you’d expect, it’s not pretty.
NFL.com
Last week: No. 24
The 3-4 record cosmetically hides the fact that two of those losses came to the previously 0-4 Bears and now the Giants, who entered Sunday at 1-5. Sam Howell has done some good things, and we know Washington has dudes at receiver … So why is the offense so painfully inconsistent? It goes without saying that an O-line that allows six sacks and commits seven penalties is a big reason why. Every one of the sacks was for minus-7 yards or worse. Howell must play with more awareness, but what about OC Eric Bieniemy and OL coach Travelle Wharton? They had no answers for the Giants’ stunts and blitzes all game. Just another step backward after the 2-0 start.
ESPN
Last week: No. 21
Quarterback Sam Howell could be this person by season’s end (and many would have predicted receiver Jahan Dotson at season’s start), but Davis has been the under-25 player who has been the most consistent. He has one interception and one forced fumble and more than half of his tackles have been for gains of 3 yards or less. Davis, 24, is playing more decisive vs. the run and is one sack shy of his career high (3.0)
Yahoo Sports
Last week: No. 24
Commanders defensive lineman Jonathan Allen went off after an ugly loss Sunday. It’s hard to blame him. He can see that Washington isn’t going anywhere. Losing to that Giants team, which was scrambling just to find five offensive linemen to start with all of their injury issues, tells you how bad Washington is this season.
The Athletic
Last week: No. 22
The Commanders would be picking 14th if the season ended right now, so they’ve got work to do, but there’s plenty of time. Washington has the fourth-toughest remaining schedule, according to Tankathon, and it needs a quarterback. Sam Howell had a rating of 60.5 and was sacked six more times on Sunday. Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen has clearly had enough (see below). You know new owner Josh Harris would love a shot to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.
PFN
Last week: No. 22
The Commanders offense really struggled to put drives together against the Giants. In fact, they had as many offensive drives (14) as they did first downs. They managed only five first downs on their first 12 drives while gaining nine on their final two.
Sam Howell is clearly talented – he can really spin the ball. But he also struggles in the pocket and is on pace to shatter the record for sacks taken in a season.
CBS Sports
Last week: No. 19
The offensive line is awful and Sam Howell is taking a beating. He’s been sacked 40 times. That’s disgraceful.
Bleacher Report
Last week: No. 22
In the leadup to Sunday’s meeting with the Giants, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera told reporters that he remained confident in quarterback Sam Howell and the Washington passing game.
It was simply a matter of getting the ball out quickly so Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel could do damage after the catch.
Sixty minutes, seven points and another loss later, the Commanders still don’t have a 100-yard receiver this season. For the second time in as many weeks, Dotson and Howell failed to connect on what could have been a game-tying touchdown. And at least one of our analysts believes it’s time for a change under center in the nation’s capital.
‘Enough already,” Davenport said. “We’ve seen enough of Howell to know he isn’t the long-term answer at quarterback in Washington. He isn’t the short-term answer, either.
“Jacoby Brissett isn’t a world-beater, but he’s a capable veteran who gives the team a better chance at winning. Washington has dropped four of five, and the season is circling the drain ahead of a must-win game against Philly. They aren’t beating the Eagles with Howell.”
“This year’s Washington campaign has always been about the development of Howell,” Sobleski countered. “Howell needs to prove the organization right by going with him as the starter or show he’s not good enough and force the franchise to make a big move at quarterback next year.
“Unfortunately, the assessment has been muddied by the Commanders’ inability to properly protect Howell. Currently, the team is on pace to allow the most quarterback sacks during a single season in NFL history, thus surpassing David Carr and the expansion Houston Texans. So far, opponents have sacked Howell at least four times in every game, including six instances Sunday against the New York Giants.”
FOX Sports
Last week: No. 20
The blowout loss to Chicago was bad enough, and now the Commanders score just 7 points against a paper-thin Giants team. Washington’s not going to be favored in too many more games, so these missed opportunities start to pile up.
Sharp Football Analysis
Last week: No. 22
PFT
Last week: No. 21
Will Magic Johnson try to hire Pat Riley to coach the team next year?
Touchdown Wire
Last week: No. 22
Why is Ron Rivera still there? Move on, promote Eric Bieniemy, and see what he can do for the remainder of the season, because this is embarrasing.
USA TODAY Sports
Last week: No. 23
They were 1-for-15 on third down in Sunday’s loss to the Giants, dropping their NFC-worst conversion rate to 29.4%. Can you blame Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen for his 100% expletive rate?
