Following the unexpectedly successful start to the Quinn/Peters era, the Commanders entered the second year of the rebuild with a few major questions to answer:
Can the re-vamped defensive line stop the run?
Can they pressure the QB without last year’s sack leader?
How would the re-tooled secondary hold up against elite receivers?
Could a mediocre offensive line be turned into a strength?
Can they generate a consistent rushing attack outside the QB position?
Sunday’s dominant victory over the New York Giants provided answers to some of these questions and encouraging signs regarding others. The sloppy, mistake-filled game showed clear signs of early season cobwebs being shaken off. Nevertheless, the Commanders led from the first score to final whistle, without ever being seriously threatened.
While the Giants are likely to be one of the weaker teams on the schedule, they are not without some strengths. In particular, their championship calibre defensive line provided an early test for the new look OL. And defending Russell Wilson’s deep ball to Malik Nabers would stretch most secondaries, let alone one starting a rookie outside CB.
The 21-6 score line provides some indication that the answers to most of the outstanding questions were affirmative. The improved roster faces a stronger challenge against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.
Before we turn our attention to the Commanders’ prime-time debut, let’s review what we learned from their third consecutive victory of the division rival Giants.
JD5 played the whole game, sparing fans from worrying about how his third string backup would fare. But he did seem to pick up a wrist injury, according to the Monday injury report.
It was a rusty and uncharacteristically mistake-prone outing, compared to what we have come to expect. Daniels completed 19/30 passing attempts (63.3%) at an ADOT of 9.3 yds for 233 yds, 1 TD, and 14 first downs. He also ended a red zone opportunity with an intentional grounding penalty. Daniels faced pressure on 24.3% of dropbacks and took 3 sacks (33.3% P2S%). According to PFF, 3 of his pass attempts were dropped by receivers.
Daniels also added 68 yards and 3 first downs on 11 rushing attempts (6.2 Y/A).
Daniels recorded a fairly mediocre QBR of 54.9 (Week 1 rank 19th). By that metric, it was his fifth weakest performance as a Commander.
Austin Ekeler was credited with the start, and took the most snaps at RB, but rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt had the most rushing attempts (10) among RBs, and led the team in rushing yards (82) and rushing average (8.2 Y/A), while picking up his first NFL rushing TD. In his first NFL game, he achieved a 60.0% Rushing Success Rate. He was targeted once as a receiver, but did not make the catch.
Croskey-Merritt averaged 4.2 YAC/attempt. Unfortunately, his numbers are skewed by the single 42 yard run in the fourth quarter, making it difficult to get a meaningful estimate of his average Yards Before Contact. Including the long run, he averaged 4.0 YBC/Att.
McNichols gained 25 yds and 2 first downs on 4 attempts (6.3 Y/A; 50% Success Rate). He averaged 3.0 YBC/att.
Ekeler gained 26 yds and 1 first down on 6 attempts (4.3 Y/A; 83.3% Success Rate). He averaged 1.3 YBC/Att. He also caught 3/3 targets for 31 yds and 2 first downs, and led Washington receivers with 13.0 YAC/Rec. PFF credits him with 2 forced missed tackles on receptions. He was flagged for a 5 yd false start penalty in the fourth quarter. It was just the third penalty of his 9 year career. The YBC/Att figures for the RBs suggest that the run blocking was better than last season, when they averaged just 2.09 YBC/Att.
Recently extended WR1, Terry McLaurin, took most snaps at WR and lined up predominantly on the left side. He caught 2/4 targets for 27 yds (50% rec; ADOT 18.5 yds) with no drops and one overthrow. His receiving productivity at 0.82 Y/RR was the lowest of any receiver on the team with a reception.
Noah Brown was listed as the other starting WR, but played much fewer snaps than Deebo Samuel. He mainly lined up on the right side, and caught 2 of 3 targets (67% rec; ADOT 14.3 yds) for 27 yds. He was fourth on the team in receiving productivity at 1.29 Y/RR. He was also flagged for a 5 yard offsides penalty in the 2nd quarter.
Deebo Samuel got the second most playing time, mainly split between the slot and RWR. He was the Commanders’ leading receiver, catching 7/10 targets (70% rec; ADOT 7.3 yds) for 77 yds and 3 first downs, with 1 drop. He caught 2/3 contested targets and averaged 5.9 YAC/Rec. He was the Commanders’ second most productive receiver at 2.48 Y/RR. Deebo also took an end-around 19 yds for a TD.
The most productive receiver per unit playing time was Chris Moore, who played just 19 offensive snaps and caught his sole target for 34 yds (DOT 32 yds; 3.78 Y/RR).
Jaylin Lane played sparingly and split time between the right side and the slot. He caught 1/2 targets for 11 yds (ADOT 10 yds) and dropped the other.
Luke McCaffrey played just 5 offensive snaps and was used exclusively as a run blocker.
Zach Ertz was the only TE targeted as a receiver. He caught 3/5 targets (60% rec; ADOT 8.2 yds) for 26 yds, 2 first downs and 1 TD, with one drop. Ertz had the second lowest receiving productivity of any Commanders’ receiver with a reception (0.87 Y/RR), and the second lowest Receiving Success Rate (40%). He also committed a false start for a 5 yard penalty in the 1st quarter.
John Bates split time between blocking and running routes, but was not targeted as a receiver. He took 17.5% of snaps lined up at fullback and, as usual, had the highest PFF Run Blocking grade on the team (73.1).
Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff were used exclusively as run blockers on offense.
The retooled OL played very well against the Giants’ fearsome pass rush and opened running lanes for the rushing attack.
In his debut at LT for the Commanders, Laremy Tunsil allowed just 1 pressure in 41 pass block snaps, for an elite Pressure Rate of 2.4% (below 5% is starting level for OTs). Unfortunately, it was a sack. Tunsil also received the second highest PFF Run Blocking grade on the team (71.5). The only other blemish on his performance was a 10 yard holding penalty in the 2nd quarter.
In his first game at LG, Brandon Coleman did not allow a pressure against the pass rush. PFF gave him a mediocre 51.9 Run Block Grade.
Tyler Biadasz is the only returning starter on the OL to stay put. He allowed 2 QB hurries (4.9% Pressure Rate), which is higher than ideal for an iOL. PFF gave him an above average Run Blocking grade (57.9).
Nick Allegretti held the fort at RG for the still recovering Sam Cosmi, allowing no pressures against the pass rush and earning an almost good 59.6 Run Blocking Grade. He was also flagged for a 10 yd holding penalty in the third quarter.
Rookie Josh Conerly Jr was given a baptism by fire at RT and performed admirably against the Giants’ pass rush. He conceded 1 sack and 1 hurry in 41 pass blocking reps for a pressure rate of 4.9%. That is very good for a rookie RT’s first game. In fact, if he can maintain a 4.9% pressure rate or lower throughout the season, he will have cemented his role as the starter. His 45.2 Run Blocking grade was the lowest on the OL. Conerly also collected his first NFL penalty, a 10 yard holding call in the fourth quarter.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Jer’Zhan Newton #95 of the Washington Commanders celebrates a tackle against the New York Giants during the third quarter of the NFL 2025 game at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Jer’Zhan Newton #95 of the Washington Commanders celebrates a tackle against the New York Giants during the third quarter of the NFL 2025 game at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
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One of the big questions this offseason was whether the Commanders could replace the pass rush production of last year’s sack leader, Dante Fowler. Returning starter, Dorance Armstrong, answered the call, and got plenty of help from the rest of the DL. As a group, the Commanders’ DL and Quan Martin pressured Russell Wilson on 37.8% of dropbacks. Fifty four percent of the pressures came from the edge rush.
According to PFF, Armstrong led the team with 6 total QB pressures, including 1 sack. His 19.4% Pressure Rate across 31 pass rush attempts was second highest on the DL, and fell within the elite range for Edge Defenders based on 2024 figures. Armstrong also recorded 3 tackles for defensive stops on passing plays. He also conceded 1 reception for 5 yds in 1 coverage snap.
In his Commanders’ debut, Deatrich Wise Jr generated 2 QB hurries and 2 QB hits in 28 pass rush snaps, for a top-quartile Pressure Rate of 14.3%. He also recorded 2 tackles with 1 assist and 1 defensive stop.
Jacob Martin was listed as the starter opposite Wise, but ended up taking fewer snaps, with a 19:9 split between passing and rushing downs. He generated 2 QB hurries, for a respectable 10.5% Pressure Rate. He also recorded 1 tackle for a run stop and 1 missed tackle.
Pass rush specialist Von Miller recorded 1 QB hit in 22 pass rush snaps for a pedestrian 4.5% pressure rate. He also made a run stop, despite playing just 5 rushing downs, which ironically enough gave him a team-leading 20% Run Stop Rate.
Perhaps the biggest question facing the Commanders in 2025 was whether the fortified defensive front would be able to stop the run, which was the team’s biggest weakness last season. Against the Giants, the interior offensive line was equally disruptive against the pass and the run.
Daron Payne played like it’s a contract year. He played the majority of snaps at LDT and regularly moved to LDE, which is how he was used last season. He led the team in pass defense with 2 sacks (Pressure Rate 6.1%) and 2 pass breakups at the line. Overall, he recorded 2 tackles and 1 assist for 3 total defensive stops, with 1 missed tackle. He made 1 run stop in 12 run defense snaps, for a respectable 8.3% Run Stop rate. It was actually the lowest Run Stop rate on the iDL.
Despite playing fewer snaps than the starters, Johnny Newton was the most disruptive interior defender on a down to down basis. Newton had a more even split of snaps between DT and DE, spending the most time at LDT, but also took 8 snaps on the right side of the line. He recorded 1 QB hit and 3 hurries in just 18 pass rush attempts, and led the position-group with a tremendous 22.2% Pressure Rate. Newton also recorded 1 run stop in just 8 snaps in run defense (12.5% Run Stop Rate).
New starting RDT Javon Kinlaw made an impact in both phases. He predominantly lined up on the right side, and also spent a fair amount of time at DE (RDE 11 snaps, LDE 2 snaps) like the other interior defenders. Kinlaw recorded 2 QB hits and 1 hurry in 29 pass rush snaps (10.3% Pressure Rate – above median for the position). All 3 of his tackles were defensive stops, including 2 against the run for a team-leading 18.2% Run Stop Rate.
Last but not least, nose tackle Eddie Goldman got his nose in the fray with 1 QB hurry (5.6% Pressure Rate) and 1 tackle for a run stop (12.5% Run Stop Rate).
All in all, the new guys were better than I expected, Daron Payne might be poised for a rebound and Johnny Newton looked to be taking the next step against a weakened Giants O-Line. It will be interesting to see if they can build on that momentum against the Packers.
Bobby Wagner showed no signs of letting up as he kicked off his 14th NFL season. Wags recorded 5 tackles, 5 assists, and 1 TFL. He led the team with 4 total defensive stops, 3 of which were against the run. His 17.6% Run Stop Rate was second on the team, behind Javon Kinlaw.
Wagner was targeted twice in coverage, allowing 1 reception for 5 yds, and a 56.3 Passer Rating when thrown against.
Frankie Luvu had perhaps his worst game as a Commander. He made 2 solo tackles and 5 assists, with 1 stop, but also missed 2 tackles according to Pro Football Reference and 3 according to PFF. He was targeted 5 times in coverage, allowing 4 completions for 24 yds and an 86.7 opposing Passer Rating. Frankie only blitzed 3 times and did not get near the QB.
Jordan Magee only played 2 defensive snaps and did not record any stats.
This season I will be leaning heavily on Yards/Coverage Snap as the primary metric for CB performance in coverage. Y/Cov Snap provides an overall measure of a CB’s ability to prevent his receivers from gaining yardage, whether by preventing them from getting open to draw targets, defending passes in the air, or both. It measures what CBs do down to down, in contrast to PBUs and INTs, which don’t always happen every game. It is less useful as a comparative stat for LBs and safeties because of the greater variability of those positions’ coverage assignments.
Mike Sainristil got to play his natural position, slot CB, for just the fourth time in his career. He was extremely stingy in coverage, allowing just 2 targets and 1 reception for 4 yds in 45 coverage snaps. He allowed just 0.089 Yds/Coverage Snap, which was by far the lowest of the CBs who got significant playing time. For comparison, the best lockdown CB last season was Pat Surtain II, who allowed 0.581 Y/Cov Snap throughout the entire season. Of course, these figures vary considerably from game to game, and many CBs achieved similar or lower numbers in single games throughout the season. Nevertheless, it was an impressive coverage performance from the second year CB.
By effectively locking down his receivers, Sainristil robbed himself of opportunities to make plays on the ball. He did make 2 tackles and 1 assist, with 1 defensive stop.
Marshon Lattimore also effectively shut down his receivers. He was targeted 4 times in 44 coverage snaps, allowing just 1 reception for 11 yds. He allowed a meagre 0.250 Yds/Coverage Snap, which is outstanding, just not as insanely low as Sainristil’s figure. According to PFF Lattimore led the team with 2 pass breakups. PFR credits him with 1. He also made 1 solo tackle and 2 assists.
In his debut outing at left boundary CB, Trey Amos allowed more receiving yardage than his more senior colleagues, but still had a good performance by most metrics. Amos was targeted 4 times in 42 coverage snaps and gave up 3 receptions for 27 yards. He allowed 0.643 Yds/Coverage Snap, which is a top-3 season average for starting boundary CBs. Not bad for a rookie’s first game. Amos also made 2 tackles and missed one.
Noah Igbinoghene saw the field for just 5 defensive snaps and got picked on heavily. He was targeted 3 times in coverage, giving up 2 receptions for 41 yds and breaking up 1 pass. He also made 1 tackle, so he was around the ball on 4 of his 5 defensive snaps.
Jonathan Jones played 8 defensive snaps without incident.
Will Harris had a very strong debut performance with the Commanders, replacing Jeremy Chinn at strong safety. He split reps between the box, free safety and slot coverage, and even took 10 snaps on the DL at OLB. He made 4 tackles, including 1 stop on a passing play. He generated the Commanders’ only forced fumble on a Russell Wilson scramble to end the first quarter. Unfortunately, Wilson recovered it. Harris was targeted once in coverage, without allowing a reception.
Quan Martin was the team’s primary free safety. He made 3 solo tackles and 2 assists, with 1 missed tackle. He blitzed once and generated a QB hit. Somehow PFF gave him a 60.3 Pass Rush Grade for that effort. He must have taken a major demerit for arriving too late to get a sack. Quan was targeted 3 times in coverage and allowed 3 receptions for 37 yds, and a 118.1 opposing Passer Rating.
Jeremy Reaves only played 11 defensive snaps, but he made them count. He made a tackle for a defensive stop on a passing play. He was targeted twice in coverage, breaking up 1 pass, and allowing 1 reception for 11 yds.
Tyler Owens and Percy Butler saw the field for a combined total of 5 defensive snaps without making any impression on the stat sheet.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Luke McCaffrey #11 of the Washington Commanders runs with the ball during the game against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Luke McCaffrey #11 of the Washington Commanders runs with the ball during the game against the New York Giants at Northwest Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
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SPECIAL TEAMS
Tressler William Way punted 5 times for 245 yds (49.0 YPA), landing 2 punts within the Giants’ 20 yard line. Three of his punts were returned for a total of 24 yds, resulting in a net average of 40.2 yds. Not bad for a 35 year old in his 12th season. Unfortunately he injured his back when he was rolled up by Abdul Carter following a missed block by Ben Sinnott.
New Commander Matt Gay was 3/3 on extra points and didn’t attempt any field goals.
Tyler Ott was perfectly on target, with exquisite spin on 8 long snaps.
Kick returns were split between Deebo Samuel and Luke McCaffrey. Deebo returned 2 for an average of 25 yds. Luke busted off a long 36 yd return on his only attempt.
Jaylin Lane made an inauspicious start to his career as the Commanders’ punt returner. He made 2 fair catches and 2 return attempts for a total of 0 yards. He has a long way to go to reach Dax Milne’s level.
Last year’s NFL special teams tackle leader, Nick Bellore, picked up where he left off. He made 2 bone crushing tackles in coverage, without any mistakes.
Percy Butler tied with Bellore, but also had 1 missed tackle.
Colson Yankoff had a tackle and an assist.
Jordan Magee missed a tackle on his only opportunity.
Jonathan Jones was called for a 10 yard holding penalty on Jaylin Lane’s first punt return in the first quarter.
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