**2\. The team still believes it can win.**
The Commanders find themselves down multiple key players heading into their matchup with the Detroit Lions, as the injuries have continued to pile up over the course of the season. They are not eliminated from playoff contention yet, but they're now in a situation where they need to break their losing streak quickly in order to stay in the hunt.
Asked whether the team still believes they can win, Mariota said: "Absolutely."
"And it starts up top with DQ \[Head Coach Dan Quinn\]," Mariota said. "He sets the mood every day, guys follow that and I do believe that. And again, it's not going to all happen at once."
The first step for the Commanders to climb back into the playoff discussion is to upset the Detroit Lions, who are coming off a division loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week. Jared Goff has the Lions' offense humming, while their defense is eighth in yards allowed per game.
The Week 10 game is only the start of the Commanders' difficult stretch in the season, as they must play the Denver Broncos, Vikings and Eagles.
"We understand that being out here, taking it one day at a time, getting things corrected, getting things organized, making sure everyone's on the same page so that when we do get to Sunday, guys are feeling confident and ready to go."