Tag: Commanders

Mediocre Cowboys, injury-ravaged Commanders aim for ‘some success’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Dallas Cowboys visit the Washington Commanders on Christmas Day wondering what might have been.

With a pair of winnable division road games remaining (Commanders and Giants), the 6-8-1 Cowboys could finish with a .500 record — but there’s no possible path to the playoffs thanks to their recent showings. Since upsetting the Chiefs in Week 13 to improve to 6-5-1, the Cowboys have dropped three straight to the Lions, Vikings and Chargers — the latter two at home.

“We’ve done some things that we’re proud of this year. Certainly not the success in the win-loss column, that’s very evident, we’re disappointed about that,” said first-year Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer. “But I’m fueled by the fact that we get to play an NFC East opponent this week and then next week, and we want to win to sustain some success. We have a chance to go potentially 5-1 in the division.”

Meanwhile, the Commanders (4-11) are probably wondering what else can go wrong.

After oft-injured starting quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) was ruled out for the season after appearing in just seven games, Marcus Mariota led the team to a win against the Giants on Dec. 14 that snapped an eight-game losing streak. Washington then built a 10-7 halftime lead versus the visiting Eagles last Saturday. Mariota left in the third quarter with quad and hand injuries while Philadelphia rolled to a 29-18 victory that clinched the NFC East title.

Backup Josh Johnson finished 5 of 9 for 43 yards and an interception. The 39-year-old Johnson, in his 10th NFL season dating back to his debut in 2009, has played in 48 games with a 1-8 record in nine career starts. That win came in 2018 with Washington.

Mariota did not practice Monday or Tuesday as Johnson got the majority of reps, though the team did not name a starter.

“When you’re coaching (Johnson) and you’re talking through different concepts, he has thoughts on it,” said Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. “He’s been in it before. It may have been called eight different names and different systems he’s played in, but he’s probably repped it in a game at a time or two.”

Jeff Driskel, signed off Arizona’s practice squad on Monday, knows the system and also could step in. The 32-year-old served as Washington’s third-string quarterback last season.

Whoever starts likely will find themselves in a track meet against Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense, which ranks second in the NFL with 393.1 yards per game.

Prescott already has passed for 4,175 yards and leads the NFL in attempts (552) and completions (378). Receiver George Pickens has 88 catches for 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns. Prescott and Pickens are among the five Cowboys named to the Pro Bowl.

Despite the playoffs being out of reach, Prescott has no desire to sit out the final two games.

“I wanna show that every chance I can get out there, I’m trying to play, and to my standard, expectations and, not only that — as we’re just talking about how important it is to stop this losing streak and finish this season off with two wins,” he said.

Prescott threw three touchdown passes in the Cowboys’ 44-22 win against the visiting Commanders on Oct. 19, a game Daniels left with a hamstring injury.

Washington’s defense has not improved since. They rank 31st as they allow 382.7 yards per game. Dallas sits just one notch ahead with 380.1 yards surrendered per game. The Cowboys are allowing 30.3 points per game compared to 26.9 for the Commanders.

In addition to Mariota, Washington linebacker Nick Bellore (concussion), defensive tackle Daron Payne (back) and tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique) were held out of practice Tuesday. Veteran defensive lineman Eddie Goldman (concussion) and rookie wide receiver Jaylin Lane (ankle) were placed on injured reserve.

For Dallas, wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (knee), starting left tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle) and starting linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (concussion) did not practice Tuesday.

–Field Level Media

Saquon Barkley, Eagles clinch NFC East title with win over Commanders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Saquon Barkley ran for 132 yards and a touchdown, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched their second straight NFC East title with a 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders in Landover, Md.

The Eagles (10-5) became the first team to repeat as NFC East champions since 2004.

Jalen Hurts completed 22-of-30 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. A.J. Brown had nine catches for 95 yards. Barkley averaged 6.3 yards on 21 carries and went over 1,000 yards rushing for the fifth time in his career.

Washington Quarterback Marcus Mariota left the game with an apparent injury in the third quarter after throwing an incompletion and left the game. The Commanders (4-11) announced he was evaluated for a concussion and cleared but was questionable to return with a right hand injury. He ultimately did not.

Mariota was seven of 14 for 95 yards. Backup quarterback Josh Johnson was five of nine for 43 yards and one interception.

Philadelphia outgained Washington 385-220.

The Eagles trailed 10-7 at halftime. On their first possession of the second half, they went on a 10-play, 83-yard drive that took 10:35 off the clock. Washington penalties on a fourth-and-7 and a third-and-eight extended the drive before Hurts found Dallas Goedert for a 15-yard touchdown.

On Washington’s next possession, Johnson was intercepted by Cooper DeJean, who returned it 11 yards to the Commanders’ 37. On first-and-10 from the 12, Barkley went up the middle and appeared to be stopped around the five, but broke two tackles and scored, pushing the lead to 21-10.

After the Commanders punted from near midfield with 6:44 left, the Eagles put it away. Barkley ripped off a 48-yard run and, two plays later, Tank Bigsby ran left for a 22-yard score with 4:26 remaining. The two-point conversion made it 29-10.

Washington’s Chris Rodriguez had a three-yard touchdown run with 1:10 remaining and Jeremy McNichols ran in the conversion for the 29-18 final.

DeVonta Smith capped a seven-play, 63-yard drive when he caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Hurts with 2:37 left in the first quarter to give the Eagles a 7-3 lead.

After Jake Elliott missed a 43-yard field goal in the second quarter, Washington drove 67 yards in nine plays. On second-and-goal from the one, Jacory Croskey-Merritt bulled his way in from the one and the Commanders led 10-7.

–Field Level Media

Commanders set on spoiling Philly’s playoff party

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia is on the brink of becoming the NFC East’s first repeat champion since the Eagles won the division four straight years from 2001-04.

More than two decades later, the Eagles (9-5) only need to win one of the three regular-season games left on their schedule or have the Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) lose one of their three remaining contests.

Philadelphia’s first opportunity to clinch comes on Saturday afternoon against the Washington Commanders (4-10) in Landover, Md.

The stakes were considerably higher the last time these teams met, when the Eagles delivered a 55-23 smackdown against the Commanders in the NFC Championship game last January before going on to win Super Bowl LIX.

Both teams enter Saturday’s contest after much-needed victories last weekend. Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing streak by blanking the Las Vegas Raiders 31-0, while Washington halted an eight-game slide with a 29-21 road win against the New York Giants.

If the Commanders hope to spoil, or at least delay, the Eagles’ NFC East coronation, they will have to do it without Jayden Daniels. He is participating in practice but coach Dan Quinn said he will not pay again this season in order to allow his troublesome elbow to heal up for 2026.

“I’ll be out there practicing whatever they need me to do,” Daniels said. “(If) I gotta do scout team, I’ll have fun with that and get the best looks and really just be out here, like I said, be supportive of all my teammates and still be engaged and bring some energy.”

Marcus Mariota will be making his eighth start of the season for Washington. The veteran journeyman has passed for 1,600 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Coming off one of the worst games of his career, Jalen Hurts bounced back with an efficient performance against the Raiders. He threw for 175 yards and three touchdowns on 12-of-15 passing with no interceptions after tossing four picks in the Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Despite the ebbs and flows the Philadelphia offense has experienced all season, the Eagles have done enough to put themselves in a favorable position.

“The thing for us is we’ve gotten to this point and we’ve been able to get to this point and to be playing in big time games not really establishing an identity, and so I think it is healthy to have won games in a lot of ways,” Hurts said. “I think it’s encouraging to be able to build off of something positive.”

The Eagles have an opportunity to build more momentum against a Washington defense that ranks 31st in the NFL, allowing 382.6 yards per game.

The Commanders have also been plagued by turnovers all season, committing at least two turnovers in seven of their last nine games.

These teams will meet again in Philadelphia to close out the regular season.

The first practice in Philadelphia this week was a walkthrough, but several key players were listed as not practicing: running back Saquon Barkley (stinger), defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulders) and offensive linemen Lane Johnson (foot), Fred Johnson (ankle) and Landon Dickerson (calf).

For the Commanders, defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (concussion), left tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique) and tight end Colson Yankoff (ankle) did not practice on Tuesday.

–Field Level Media

Commanders place WR Noah Brown on season-ending IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Washington Commanders placed wide receiver Noah Brown on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season.

Brown, who turns 30 next month, sustained a rib injury in Sunday’s 29-21 win against the New York Giants.

He missed Weeks 3-13 with an ankle injury and finishes the season with five catches for 83 yards and no scores in four starts.

Brown has 155 receptions for 2,083 yards and six touchdowns in 91 career games (38 starts) with the Dallas Cowboys (2017-18, 2020-22), Houston Texans (2023) and Washington.

The Commanders (4-10) signed veteran wideout Chris Moore to the 53-man roster from the practice squad in a corresponding transaction.

Moore, 32, has 10 catches for 192 yards and one TD in 11 games (five starts) this season.

–Field Level Media

Commanders shut down QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Washington Commanders’ injured star quarterback Jayden Daniels will not play again this season, coach Dan Quinn confirmed Monday.

Marcus Mariota will be the starting quarterback for the remainder of the Commanders’ season. Washington is 4-10 and out of the playoff race.

“It was a lot — part medical and part team,” Quinn told reporters regarding the team’s decision. “… We believe this decision allows (Daniels) to take advantage of the next few weeks in a different way. He wants to practice and he will practice. He also wants to support Marcus in a way that Marcus has demonstrated and helped him.”

Daniels wanting to practice means that he will not be placed on season-ending injured reserve.

“He’s not happy he’s going to be out, but that’s where we’re at,” Quinn said.

Daniels only started seven of the Commanders’ first 14 games this season because of a trio of injuries. He missed two games with a knee sprain, one with a hamstring strain and four more with a dislocated left (non-throwing) elbow.

Daniels returned from the hamstring-related absence Nov. 2 against the Seattle Seahawks only to dislocate the elbow during a sack that same game. After missing a month (three games plus the team’s bye week), he came back Dec. 7 at the Minnesota Vikings but re-injured the elbow in a 31-0 loss.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner at LSU and the second overall draft pick in 2024, Daniels immediately became the Commanders’ long-sought franchise quarterback. He led the team to an NFC Championship Game berth against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles last season.

In 17 regular-season games as a rookie, Daniels threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns with nine interceptions while adding 891 rushing yards and six touchdowns, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Daniels ends his sophomore season with 1,262 passing yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions along with 278 yards and two scores on the ground.

–Field Level Media

Giants, Commanders search for win near end of lost seasons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Two NFC East rivals carrying lengthy losing streaks meet on Sunday when the Washington Commanders visit the New York Giants in East Rutherford, NJ.

Washington (3-10) has dropped eight straight — the longest current streak in the NFL — while New York (2-11) has lost its last seven. Barring a tie, one of these teams will go home happy for the first time since early October.

Sunday’s game could have featured the first matchup between young quarterbacks Jaxson Dart and Jayden Daniels. However, Washington coach Dan Quinn said Daniels, who fell hard on his previously dislocated left elbow and departed Sunday’s 31-0 loss at Minnesota, will not play against New York.

“No structural setbacks. However, through the medical evaluations over the last couple days, including this morning, the doctors advised us we hold him this Sunday,” Quinn said Wednesday. “We’re really bummed for Jayden. He is working incredibly hard to get back on the field with his guys.”

Daniels has already missed six games overall and left three others due to injury. Marcus Mariota will make his seventh start of the season.

The Giants are coming off their bye week and play three of their final four games at home against the Commanders, Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys with a road game at the Las Vegas Raiders in the penultimate week of the season.

“I think it’s extremely important and it’s really required for us to make sure that these last four games we really put our best foot down,” said Dart, who returned from a concussion and threw for 139 yards and a touchdown in a 33-15 loss to the Patriots in Week 13.

Interim head coach Mike Kafka spent the bye week reflecting on his first three weeks at the helm and areas he wants to improve on over the final stretch, including play calling.

“Just taking notes, looking at the notes from the post-game stuff and thoughts that we had after the game, things that we really liked that we wanted to get to,” Kafka said. “Just being really critical of myself on things that our players do really well and how can we get to those things more?”

Despite similar records, New York and Washington have generally managed to lose in different ways.

The Giants have lost five games in which they led in the fourth quarter while Commanders defeats have tended to be more definitive. Though two recent losses came in overtime, they have lost by more than 20 points five times, including Sunday when Daniels and wide receivers Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel and Noah Brown played together for the first time.

Washington’s defense, which had shown improvement after Quinn took over the play calling, gave up 25 first downs and 313 yards to a Vikings team that had been shut out the previous week.

The Commanders’ defense is ranked 30th in the league, allowing 382.5 yards per game and the Giants are 31st (385.8 yards per game). Both teams are in the bottom five in points allowed.

Washington tight end Zach Ertz (50 catches, 504 yards, four touchdowns) suffered a season-ending knee injury against Minnesota. Running back Chris Rodriguez (groin), linebacker Bobby Wagner (knee) and cornerback Jonathan Jones (rib) did not practice Wednesday.

Among the Giants not practicing Wednesday were offensive guard Greg Van Roten (shoulder), defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches (ankle), linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder), cornerback Nic Jones (shoulder), and punter Jamie Gillan (knee). Tight end Thoe Johnson (toe) was limited.

Washington defeated New York 21-6 in Week 1. Daniels passed for a season-high 233 yards and then-starter Russell Wilson was unable to lead the Giants into the end zone.

–Field Level Media

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) out vs. Giants

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the host New York Giants, head coach Dan Quinn announced Wednesday.

Marcus Mariota will draw back in under center for the Commanders (3-10) in place of Daniels, who landed hard on his left elbow during last Sunday’s 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Daniels previously dislocated his left elbow during a 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 2.

Per Quinn, Daniels did not suffer structural damage to the elbow, and the Commanders — who are eliminated from postseason contention — are not talking about shutting him down for the season.

“As far as what decisions are ahead, we haven’t gone down that road,” Quinn said. “He’s working really hard to get back with the guys.”

Mariota replaced Daniels last Sunday and completed 2 of 4 passes for 30 yards and an interception as Washington lost its eighth straight contest.

Mariota, 32, has completed 62.9% of his passes for 1,389 yards with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions in nine games (six starts) this season.

Daniels, 24, has connected on 60.6% of his passes for 1,262 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions in seven starts this season.

He threw for 3,568 yards with 25 touchdowns while rushing for 891 yards and six scores last season to earn NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

–Field Level Media

Washington TE Zach Ertz diagnosed with torn ACL

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Zach Ertz’s season is officially over. Could his career be over as well?

The Washington Commanders on Monday confirmed the veteran tight end sustained a torn ACL in his right knee on Sunday when Minnesota safety Jay Ward hit a leaping Ertz while he was trying to catch a pass.

The 35-year-old Ertz was helped to a cart on the sideline, where he was emotional as teammates came to offer encouragement.

Ertz, in his 13th NFL season and his second with the Commanders, posted 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns this season. Playing on a one-year contract, Ertz is set to be a free agent with his future very much in the air.

“He has meant a lot to our team, both on and off the field,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said Monday. “He’s been an ideal teammate to help set a standard about habits, and so we’re all bummed for him.”

Ertz had yet to miss a game with the Commanders, but he missed at least six games in three of his four seasons prior to joining Washington.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia in the 2017 season. He caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ 41-33 win over New England in Super Bowl LII.

His 825 career receptions are fifth all-time among tight ends. Three of the four players ahead of him — Tony Gonzalez (1,325 catches), Jason Witten (1,228) and Antonio Gates (955) — have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame while Travis Kelce (1,064 receptions) seems a shoo-in when he becomes eligible.

Ertz’s 116 receptions for the Eagles in 2018 stands as the single-season record for tight ends.

He has 825 catches for 8,592 yards and 57 touchdowns in 181 regular-season games with Philadelphia (2012-21), Arizona (2021-23) and Washington (2024-25).

–Field Level Media

Commanders turn back to QB Jayden Daniels vs. Vikings

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will make his first start in a month when he faces the host Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Minneapolis, head coach Dan Quinn announced Friday.

Daniels last started for Washington on Nov. 2 when he sustained a dislocated left elbow during the late stages of Washington’s 38-14 setback to the Seattle Seahawks. The Commanders were trailing 38-7 with just over seven minutes in the game when Daniels was injured while attempting to brace for his fall following a tackle.

He was a full participant in practices Thursday and Friday for the Commanders (3-9), who are mired in a seven-game losing streak heading into the clash versus the Vikings (4-8).

“It’s important for him, for his teammates,” Quinn said of Daniels being back on the field on gameday despite Washington being well out of wild-card reach.

“All these (games) matter. As he’s developing there are certain things he has to work on, too, to be as competitive and take care of things.”

Daniels, 24, has completed 62.5% of his passes for 1,184 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions in six games this season.

He threw for 3,568 yards with 25 touchdowns while rushing for 891 yards and six scores last season to earn NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

–Field Level Media

Vikings intend to keep it simple for J.J. McCarthy vs. Commanders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

J.J. McCarthy is set to return to his starting role this week for the Minnesota Vikings.

His coach is trying to simplify things as much as possible for the struggling quarterback.

Minnesota (4-8) will find out whether its “less is more” approach can succeed when it squares off against the Washington Commanders (3-9) on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

The matchup offers an opportunity for McCarthy to improve upon a flawed first season as the team’s starter. He returned to practice this week after missing last week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks because he was in the concussion protocol.

The Vikings were shut out 26-0 as undrafted rookie Max Brosmer threw four interceptions in his first career start. Now the focus turns back to McCarthy, who has thrown six touchdowns and 10 interceptions in a half-dozen starts this season.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said he is not as focused right now on topics such as improving McCarthy’s footwork or refining his throwing motion.

“It’s purely about decision-making at this point,” O’Connell said. “I want him to have a clear head and a clear mind to just go play, but play with an understanding of, ‘The decisions that I make … have to be of the utmost importance.’ Because we learned our turnover number is where it is. It’s not a winning formula.

“I don’t want him overthinking or worrying about if the fundamentals need to be changed. Let’s just make the throws. Let’s just throw and catch. Let’s just play with great rhythm and understanding of the plan.”

As for Washington, coach Dan Quinn is staying tight-lipped about a potential return for Jayden Daniels.

Daniels has missed the past three games with a dislocated left elbow, and he had not been cleared for contact when practice started this week. He did throw passes on a side field during practice, and Quinn said he would wait until at least Friday to determine Daniels’ status for the weekend.

Veteran Marcus Mariota has taken on the starting role while Daniels has been sidelined. The 32-year-old has posted a 1-5 record as a starter this season, and he has thrown nine touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Commanders are coming off a 27-26 loss in overtime against the Denver Broncos on Sunday night. The game marked Washington’s seventh straight loss, and the team will go for its first victory since Oct. 5 when it kicks off versus the Vikings.

Quinn said one reason for optimism was the improved play of the Commanders’ offensive line. He praised right guard Sam Cosmi in particular for his development alongside right tackle Josh Conerly Jr.

“It might have been Sam’s best game, so that was good,” Quinn said after reviewing game film. “… It felt like him and Josh have felt more cohesive, and that continuity is helping because now they’ve been in that rhythm a good bit together.”

The Vikings have won the past three matchups in the series. Washington is looking for its first win over the Vikings since 2016, and it is looking for its first victory in Minnesota since 2007 – before the Vikings moved into U.S. Bank Stadium near the site of the old Metrodome.

-Field Level Media