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NFC East roundup | Commanders prepare for final stretch
Both the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos will be coming into Sunday Night Football rested after a Week 12 bye. The Commanders got positive news amid their six-game slide with wide receiver Noah Brown’s 21-day window opening and quarterback Jayden Daniels returning to practice. Daniels is unlikely to play Sunday, although his return indicates he could be back on the field sometime before the end of the season.
Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota will be at the helm for his fourth start this weekend. Against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid, Mariota (66.7%, 213 yards, one touchdown, one interception) threw the game-sealing interception in overtime that allowed the Dolphins to seal the game with a field goal, 16-13.
With head coach Dan Quinn calling the defense, Miami was limited to 311 all-purpose yards and 5.8 yards per play. The defense had an incredible goal-line stand in the fourth quarter, stopping the Dolphins offense at the goal line with less than two minutes remaining to send the game to overtime. The Commanders also recorded three sacks on Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and forced three punts.
The last time Denver took the field, they stunned the Kansas City Chiefs 22-19 in Week 11 for their eighth-straight win. The game came down to a game-winning 35-yard field goal from kicker Wil Lutz as the clock expired after a 2:59 drive. The Broncos have had a number of come-from-behind fourth quarter wins this season, most notably against the New York Giants.
Although the Commanders didn’t face a pass rush of the same caliber as the Broncos in Week 11, both Laremy Tunsil and Chris Paul are two of the best in the league in pass block win rate.
The Eagles gave up a 21-point lead heading into the second half of their Week 12 divisional bout against the Dallas Cowboys, losing 24-21. Dallas’ comeback ties a franchise record for the team’s largest comeback. While the loss didn’t drop the Eagles from first place in the NFC East, it made clinching the division a bit more difficult.
A to Z Sports
Offensive superlatives
MVP: LT Laremy Tunsil
The offense has struggled in many ways over the last few weeks, but one player has been constant all year, and that’s left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Tunsil is the second-highest graded pass blocking tackle in the entire NFL according to PFF, and he’s only allowed one sack on 383 pass blocking snaps. The trade has been well worth it this season, and he will get a new deal this offseason.
Glue guy: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr
He didn’t start the season strong after being a healthy scratch the first few weeks, but as I expected, running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been a constant producer over the last few weeks. Rodriguez has still been in a steady rotation at running back, but he has 160 yards on 33 carries and two touchdowns as well. Against the Dolphins, he grinded out 79 yards with a 5.3 yards per carry average and showed he should be the primary running back moving forward.
Biggest surprise: LG Chris Paul
Absolutely nobody expected Chris Paul to be the starting left guard as a seventh-round pick from the previous regime, but he earned it. Paul has allowed only two sacks and 11 pressures all season, and should be one of the free agents the Commanders have no problem re-signing.
A to Z Sports
Defensive superlatives
Biggest surprise: CB Mike Sainristil
The offense has a positive surprise, while the defense has a really bad surprise. Corner Mike Sainristil has taken a huge step back this season after looking like a defensive rookie of the year player last season. The regression is mind-boggling to watch, as Sainristil allows 72.9% of targets to be caught and is responsible for five touchdowns in coverage.
Biggest disappointment: S Quan Martin
Quan Martin was supposed to have a huge season, and the coaching staff praised him all offseason. Well, he repaired both shoulders from last year, and he got way worse. He’s a liability in coverage and has 14 missed tackles, which is just two fewer than he had all of last season. Quinn reduced his snaps to just 37 against the Dolphins, which was his lowest of the season.
Turning point of the last six weeks: Dorance Armstrong’s injury
Defensive end Dorance Armstrong was in the top-5 of sacks and pressure rate in the league before he suffered a significant knee injury against the Dallas Cowboys. That put him out for the season, and maybe the start of next year, too, and the pass rush has declined since.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders could sign Devin Lloyd
Linebacker | Jacksonville Jaguars
Bobby Wagner’s status among the modern-day greats is firmly cemented. The veteran linebacker was a key cog in the Washington Commanders’ culture shift under head coach Dan Quinn, but it seems as if Father Time is catching up at long last.
General manager Adam Peters should find a younger, more dynamic alternative to spearhead the defensive second level alongside Frankie Luvu. Someone like Devin Lloyd makes a ton of sense.
The 2022 first-round pick has been nothing short of phenomenal for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season, which puts him squarely in the Pro Bowl and All-Pro conversation. While the AFC South club will probably keep him around, placing him in Quinn’s defensive scheme is a mouthwatering proposition.
Commanders could sign Wan’Dale Robinson
Wide Receiver | New York Giants
The Commanders might need reinforcements at the wide receiver position this offseason. Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane will be back. Deebo Samuel Sr. could get extended, and the same goes for Treylon Burks. Aside from that, Washington should remove everyone else from the equation.
Adding some cheaper options in the second and third waves of free agency is a strong possibility. Wan’Dale Robinson is expected to be in that category, according to some experts. However, don’t be surprised if the ascending wideout is more coveted than people realize if the New York Giants let him test the market.
Robinson is currently enjoying the best season of his professional career at the perfect time. That’s going to drive up the price, but the Commanders could do a lot worse.
Commanders could sign Riq Woolen
Cornerback | Seattle Seahawks
The Commanders need more at the cornerback spot. Marshon Lattimore tore his ACL and could be released with $18.5 million in salary cap savings attached. Mike Sainristiil and second-round rookie Trey Amos will be around, but the jury is still out on the rest.
Riq Woolen has the size and length to become an asset in Dan Quinn’s defensive system. Speculation was rampant about the defensive back potentially being traded before the 2025 deadline, but nothing materialized. Whether he gets an extension offer remains to be seen. Still, he’d be a sensational addition to fill the potential void left by Lattimore instantly.
Washington needs an experienced presence. Woolen fits the bill if the money suits all parties.
Drake Jackson : Scales back practice reps Thursday
Jackson (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. Jackson was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice but was not given the same workload during Thursday’s session. It could’ve been a maintenance day for the fourth-year defensive end, who is recovering from a knee injury that caused him to be placed on injured reserve in mid-October. He’ll need to be activated from IR in order to play Sunday against the Broncos.
Commanders Wire
What does Commanders coach Dan Quinn expect from DE Drake Jackson?
Another defensive player the Commanders could have this week is defensive end Drake Jackson.
Jackson, the 24-year-old former second-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2023, when he tore the patellar tendon in his knee. He missed the entire 2024 season and was waived in May 2025. The Commanders signed him last month, as GM Adam Peters was the 49ers assistant GM when San Francisco selected Jackson with the No. 61 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Washington immediately placed Jackson injured reserve, knowing he was close to a return.
What does head coach Dan Quinn think of Jackson’s impending debut?
“[I]t’s not just physical; then it’s also the skill work that goes with it. But I have been pleased about the work that he’s put in, so I’m excited to see kind of the next three days play out and then see where we go from there, but he’s off to a good start.”
Washington has lost Deatrich Wise, Javontae Jean-Baptiste and Dorance Armstrong this season. That’s three of the Commanders’ projected top four defensive ends entering this season. Washington needs help at defensive end, so Jackson will have an opportunity to reward Peters’ faith in him.
Podcasts & videos
Commanders Locker Room: Washington looks to bounce back vs Denver
Commanders vs. Denver Broncos NFL Week 13 Sunday Night Football Preview | Take Command
Denver Broncos vs Washington Commanders | Week 13 Game Preview
NFC East links
The Athletic (paywall)
Giants QB Jaxson Dart clears concussion protocol, paving way for start vs. Patriots
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has cleared concussion protocol, the Giants announced Thursday. He’s expected to start Monday night’s game against the New England Patriots.
Dart has missed the previous two games due to a concussion he suffered in the Giants’ Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears. Veteran backup Jameis Winston started those games, both losses, completing 37 of 65 passes for 567 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Winston also tallied one rushing and one receiving touchdown in those starts.
Windy City Gridiron
Bears vs. Eagles: keys to a Chicago victory
Here’s what our crew thinks will unlock a Bears victory.
Sam: The Eagles might be the most inconsistent 8-win reigning Super Bowl Champ ever? The Bears’ defense needs all hands on deck to avoid Saquon and the Eagles’ receivers from going off. Philly’s offense has struggled more often than not, but remains dangerous. The OL has to hold up against Vic Fangio’s disguises and Caleb has to protect the ball and take what’s there.
Josh: Caleb needs to cut down on the unforced errors and the offense needs to take the easy yards. On defense, Dennis Allen needs to keep working his miracles. If the Bears can just make Hurts play outside himself, fault lines will appear.
Gary: It’s a tall task for our pass rush, but not letting Jalen Hurts have an easy time behind center is a major key. He generally makes good decisions with the ball but at a very slow rate, if we can force him off his spot or force him to speed up his internal clock, the Eagles become a very one-dimensional team. It’s been a “it takes a village” mentality all year, and this week won’t be any different. We will need some contributors who’s numbers haven’t been called a lot to step up, especially on the defensive side.
Jack R Salo: For the Bears on offense, this is a game they have to control the time of possession. The Eagles have won that battle in 6 of their 8 wins, and lost it in 2 of their 3 losses. They’ll have some long drives of double-digit plays, so make sure you do too. Then, on defense, force incompletions. Not everything needs to be an interception. If the Eagles can inch their way to 3rd/4th and 1, they’re going to convert, so
Blogging the Boys
Dallas Cowboys beat last two Super Bowl teams in five-day span
What’s amazing is that four days before the Cowboys beat Kansas City they had a 21-0 comeback win against the Philadelphia Eagles. These are the two teams who played in last season’s Super Bowl which means the Cowboys just took out some serious competition in under a week.
Given that the Cowboys beat the Las Vegas Raiders six days before beating the Eagles they are riding a three-game win streak in total.
The Athletic (paywall)
Chiefs-Cowboys takeaways: George Pickens, Dak Prescott spark win, boost playoff hopes
Schedule setting up a run?
Since the NFL schedules were released, this current stretch for the Cowboys has stood out. They faced three consecutive games against the Eagles, Chiefs and Detroit Lions, all among the top Super Bowl favorites. Dallas has found a way to win the first two and has a great chance to win next Thursday night in Detroit. The offense is better than expected. The defense has become a real problem for opponents. It’s still possible that the Cowboys could miss the playoffs, but I doubt many teams want to play them if they make it into the mix. — Machota
Upcoming opponent
NFL league links
Chiefs rookie LT Josh Simmons suffers dislocated, fractured wrist in Thanksgiving loss to Cowboys
Kansas City left tackle Josh Simmons is out indefinitely after suffering a dislocated and fractured wrist in Thursday’s Thanksgiving loss to the Dallas Cowboys, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources.
Simmons was seen leaving AT&T Stadium in a cast. The rookie LT will undergo an MRI on Friday to seek opinions on treatment options, Rapoport added.
Pro Football Talk
Lions head coach Dan Campbell has earned a reputation as the best coach in the NFL at making fourth down calls. But on Thanksgiving in Detroit, it was Packers coach Matt LaFleur whose fourth-down calls came up big.
The Packers went 3-for-3 on fourth downs and the Lions went 0-for-2 on fourth downs in the Packers’ 31-24 win. LaFleur said that’s why the Packers won.
“We knew going into the game, Dan’s always been aggressive and we knew it was going to come down to that,” LaFleur said.
“Really, when you look at it, both sides of the ball, fourth down was the difference in the game.”
All of the fourth downs were significant plays: The Packers’ first two touchdowns came on fourth downs, and the final first down that allowed them to seal the win came on a fourth-down conversion. The Lions’ first failed fourth down led to another Packers score, and the Lions’ other failed fourth down ended a promising drive.
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