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For weeks, head coach Dan Quinn has emphasized the need for the Washington Commanders to deliver a complete game. Now, time is running out.
After a 20-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the Commanders (2-5-1) face a quick turnaround to visit the NFC East-leading New York Giants on Thursday night. Persistent issues have haunted Washington all season, and Quinn's message has remained steady. With the season on the line, that repeated call must now produce tangible results.
Quinn acknowledged progress in isolated areas but stressed the urgency of putting everything together. "I've seen consistency in different areas with different people of the arrow going up," he said Monday. "But what I do know is that, like, man, do we have to put all these together. There's been halves and quarters and good plays and just, man, that's what I'm looking for the most is consistent football. I talked about a little bit last night of consistency all the way through. We know it wins and that's really what I'm chasing the most right now."
Against the Rams, the offense stalled during the middle two quarters, allowing Los Angeles to seize control as the game progressed. That pattern has been a recurring theme this season. Once again, a late-game sequence—when Washington failed to throw a pass into the end zone on two plays from the Rams' 31-yard line—raised questions about coaching and execution.
Quinn remains undeterred in his approach. "I am tired of it and I'm not gonna back off it," he said of repeating the same message to his team. "Just finding another way to push it, another way to develop it, another way to go after it, because I know that works. And there's times when I like the phases and how connected we are, but at the end of it, man, ones that could be either self-inflicted ones or just some inconsistent performance, that's what we have to nail down."
Key Analysis
The Commanders' rush defense proved effective, limiting the Rams' duo of Blake Corum and Kyren Williams to 26 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown. Los Angeles had to rely on a huge game from star receiver Puka Nacua to score 20 points. However, the rushing offense struggled: Rachaad White managed 28 yards on seven carries, while Austin Ekeler added 16 yards on eight carries. The longest run was a 14-yarder by White. With quarterback Jayden Daniels' passing options limited by injuries, Washington needs a reliable ground attack.
Wide receiver Van Jefferson's stock is up after he stepped up with five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, his first score of the season, amid a host of injuries at the position. Conversely, offensive coordinator David Blough's stock is down as the Commanders struggled to move the ball after their opening two drives. After taking a 10-3 lead, Washington punted four times, fumbled once, and kicked a field goal on a drive that netted just 9 yards following a turnover.
Cornerback Amik Robertson has an ankle injury, but Quinn said the team is optimistic he can play Thursday. Wide receiver Treylon Burks (foot) was sidelined against the Rams but could return this week; Quinn said Tuesday's practice will be a big day for him. The Commanders sit three games behind the Giants in the division, and it doesn't help that Washington botched the finish of its earlier game against New York this season, resulting in a tie. Up next, the Commanders hope to beat the Giants this time, instead of just not losing to them.
Originally reported by yahoo.