MADRID — Despite this feeling like a cursed season for the Washington Commanders, special teams had been the one thing that had gone mostly right. But with Sunday’s game tied in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins, even that unit failed them. Twice.
Edge rusher Von Miller had just chased down quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for what should have been a drive-ending sack. With punt returner Jaylin Lane sidelined because of a hip injury — and his backup Luke McCaffrey on injured reserve — cornerback Mike Sainristil was called on to return his first punt of the year. Sainristil muffed it, and the Dolphins recovered the ball.
The defense got another stop after the Dolphins drove to the 1-yard line. The offense got in range for a 56-yard field goal attempt that would have won the game, but kicker Matt Gay missed it.
“Got to make it. Cannot miss that kick,” Gay said. “That’s on me. We win that game if that kick goes in.”
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Marcus Mariota’s interception on the first play from scrimmage in overtime pretty much sealed the Commanders’ 16-13 loss, but Washington could have avoided that situation altogether. Losers of six straight, this season is all but over for the Commanders (3-8).
Here are five thoughts as the Commanders enter their bye in Week 12.
1. The team could still bring back Daniels
Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow on Nov. 2 that looked gruesome, but he avoided any fractures or ligament damage. While the recovery timeline varies, that left the door open for him to return before the end of the season. Coach Dan Quinn said he would provide an update on where the quarterback stands in his rehab process after the bye.
The playoffs are a long shot, but there could still be value in bringing back Daniels. Holding out a healthy quarterback would signal to the players that the coaching staff and front office are giving up on winning in 2025. Even if the Commanders are officially eliminated from postseason contention before Daniels is ready to come back, keeping the quarterback sidelined could be detrimental to team culture.
“There’s no quitters on this team,” Sainristil said. “We just got to keep going.”
Giving the squad a chance to end the year on a high note may have a lasting positive impact. Daniels is extremely competitive and will almost certainly push to get back out there. In the end, though, it’ll be up to Quinn and the front office.
2. The offense is too static
The impact of Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, among other key contributors, suffering significant injuries can’t be ignored. Still, health isn’t the only explanation for Washington’s offense going from one of the NFL’s best to below average.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s approach has been predictable. Coming into Week 11, the Commanders used shotgun on 95.2 percent of their snaps (most in the NFL), according to TruMedia. They use pistol — a variation of shotgun — on 20.2 percent of their snaps (second most). When they’re in pistol, they’ve run the ball 75.2 percent of the time. When they’re not in pistol, they run the ball 32.5 percent of the time.
“I think there’s a lot of different things that come into play, but I think with Jayden starting off, comfort level more than anything, we want to tailor offense to what he is used to, comfortable with and does the best,” Kingsbury said last week when asked about his formational tendencies. “But you’ve seen certain teams have a lot of success under center, a lot of teams have had success in shotgun, so I don’t think there’s a right or wrong. I think it’s playing to your personnel and maximizing what you want to do offensively.”
Through their first 10 games, the Commanders also essentially used only two personnel groupings. They used 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers) on 56.8 percent of their snaps and 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends, two wide receivers) on 22.8 percent of their snaps. No other personnel grouping accounts for more than 4.3 percent of their snaps.
The Commanders make it easier for opposing defenses to get a pre-snap read on what they’re going to do. A more diverse approach could be beneficial.
3. Positive injury developments may come soon
Safety Will Harris (fibula) and defensive end Drake Jackson (knee) remain on injured reserve but returned to practice last week in a limited capacity. If they continue to make progress, both could be candidates to play against the Denver Broncos in Week 13.
McLaurin (quad) didn’t practice but traveled to Madrid to continue his rehab. Whether he will play isn’t certain, but he should be able to practice ahead of next game. The same goes for wide receiver Noah Brown (groin).
Of course, the biggest potential news is the status of Daniels. It seems doubtful he would play against the Broncos, but even a return to practice would represent significant progress.
4. With Quinn calling plays, the defense showed life
After the defense continually struggled, Quinn took over play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. With him dialing things up against the Dolphins, the Commanders allowed just 311 yards — their lowest total since holding the New York Giants to 231 yards in Week 1.
Washington was stout in high-leverage moments, too. Miami converted just 3 of 9 third downs, failed to convert both of its fourth-down attempts and scored touchdowns on just 1 of 4 red-zone possessions, which included three goal-to-go situations.
The Commanders’ defense still has room for improvement — especially the run defense — but they played much better than in recent weeks. Perhaps that’s something they can build upon.
“Preparation,” defensive end Jacob Martin said when asked how to pull that off. “Just being attentive to detail, communication, execution. If we don’t like something in practice, we’re going to do it over. Those kinds of things. I think we’ll carry that over, for sure.”
5. Execution has been lacking, and that’s on the coaching staff
The Commanders have been plagued by penalties, missed assignments, communication lapses and poor fundamentals this season. In short, they haven’t been executing.
“For us, one play doesn’t define a game, one play doesn’t define a season. It’s the culmination of trying to execute at a high level,” tight end Zach Ertz said. “We just haven’t done it consistently enough in any game, really, in my opinion.”
Some of that comes with having to use a lot of players who weren’t expected to fill consistent roles before the season; but maintaining roster depth is also the coaching staff’s responsibility. Addressing that requires accountability from Quinn on down.
Perhaps the Commanders will change how they conduct practices and meetings, the methods coaches use to teach, or the consequences players face for repeated miscues.
“I challenged all of us, ‘What can we do better?’” Quinn said when asked for his message for the team going into the bye. “That’s me. That’s the coaches. That’s players. All of us.”
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