Washington Commanders Struggle as Season Takes Turn for the Worse

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders are facing a nightmare stretch in their season, having lost their last four games by an alarming total of 89 points. The team’s recent performance has prompted frustration among fans and analysts alike.

Despite the return of star quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin from injuries, the Commanders have not found success on the field. Head coach Dan Quinn is grappling with a defense that has struggled to contain opponents, leading to a disappointing string of games.

Once a strength for Washington, the running game has faltered dramatically. Initially, the backfield was a highlight of the team, dominating during the first five weeks of the season. Even after losing talent during the preseason, including Austin Ekeler to a torn Achilles in Week 2, the tandem of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Jeremy McNichols kept the Commanders near the top of the league in rushing yards per game.

In Week 5, Croskey-Merritt made a significant impact against the Los Angeles Chargers, racking up 150 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. His performance at that time had him leading the NFL in yards per carry. However, his contributions have since dwindled dramatically.

The next two games against the struggling defenses of the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys were expected to provide an opportunity for Croskey-Merritt to shine. Instead, he has been nearly invisible on the field over the past month. Several factors may be contributing to this decline, including the usual hurdles faced by a rookie player.

As defenses adjust their strategies to limit his effectiveness, Croskey-Merritt’s ability to find running lanes has diminished. Team strategy also plays a role; Kliff Kingsbury‘s schemes have not provided him with the space needed to excel.

Perhaps most crucial is the game situation Washington has found itself in recently. Spending most of their games playing from behind limits their ability to establish the run, resulting in a heavy reliance on passing plays. This shift affects the running game’s performance and the team as a whole.

Getting back on track will require the entire team to improve its overall performance, allowing players like Croskey-Merritt to thrive once again.