The Daily Slop
Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
Commanders links
Articles
Sports Illustrated
Jayden Daniels Looking to Snap Dubious Streak Dating Back to Last October
he hasn’t won a game as a starter since October 5, 2025, against the Chargers, which will be 392 days on Sunday. In that amount of time, Washington is 0-7-1 in his starts, including four injury-interrupted appearances. The team has also had two offensive
coordinators during that timeline, with Kliff Kingsbury leaving this past offseason and David Blough being promoted.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
The Athletic (paywall)
Commanders DT Daron Payne, potential trade deadline target, suffers significant injury
The Commanders, who initially listed Payne as questionable for Sunday night’s game, ruled him out Friday night after additional testing was done on his foot.
Payne is now likely headed to injured reserve, the team source said on condition of anonymity because the severity of the injury has not been made public, adding to Washington’s season-long toll. Left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who signed a two-year, $60.2 million contract extension in the offseason, tore a triceps during training camp in early August. He’s on injured reserve, alongside veteran receiver Terry McLaurin, who tore a patellar tendon during the Commanders’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, who is dealing with a groin injury.
If Payne misses the rest of the season, it’s possible he played his last down as a Commander. The 2018 first-round pick is in the final year of his contract and was speculated to be a potential trade candidate ahead of the NFL’s Nov. 10 trade deadline.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
From the Washington Post:
“I definitely value his strength inside, his power,” Coach Dan Quinn said when asked about Payne after practice on Friday. “Some of the dirty work doesn’t go in a stat, [but] you can definitely feel it.”
The former Pro Bowler started all six of Washington’s games this season. Although he recorded just one sack, he had been an effective run defender.
To read more of this Washington Post article, CLICK HERE
From ESPN:
Payne has been a longtime starter along Washington’s defensive line since the organization drafted him with the No. 13 pick in 2018. He’s their longest-tenured position player. He started every game between 2020 and 2024, missed only two games last season and has started every one this year.
Payne made the Pro Bowl in 2022 after recording a career-best 11.5 sacks. He has had a combined 11 sacks since that season and that was the only year he topped five.
But his strength has been playing the run.
To read more of this ESPN article, CLICK HERE
Sports Illustrated
Washington Faces Barkley Without Its Starting DTs
Javon Kinlaw had already been ruled out with a knee injury when Daron Payne appeared on the injury report with a foot issue. Washington initially listed Payne as questionable, then ruled him out Friday night. Tashan Reed of The Washington Postreported that Payne is expected to miss extended time, with further testing scheduled for Saturday.
Jer’Zhan Newton could give Washington another option inside, but his return isn’t automatic. He was limited in practice all week and is questionable as he works back from a torn pectoral. Newton is still on injured reserve, so the Commanders must activate him before he can play Sunday night. Charles Omenihu was limited Friday with groin and ankle injuries but carries no game designation.
The Eagles got better news at running back. Saquon Barkley missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with hamstring and back issues, returned Friday on a limited basis, and has no game designation. Philadelphia ruled out five players, including receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, but Barkley is set to play against a Washington front missing Payne and Kinlaw.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
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Last Man Standig
Commanders are still learning Daronte Jones’ defense; so are their coaches
[I]mproved defensive communication is precisely what players and coaches believe can lift Washington out of the NFC East cellar. There’s a complication: The assistants tasked with teaching coordinator Daronte Jones’ blitz-heavy scheme are learning the system alongside the players. Playing instinctively becomes harder when nearly everyone involved is still learning the language — including the coaches responsible for delivering the instructions.
Oweh offered a candid explanation for some of those “growing pains.”
“A lot of times, the coaches are saying they probably didn’t understand the way that Daronte saw it, so there’s a miscommunication with that,” Oweh said. “That’s what I’m saying. It takes way longer than what [those outside the building] think it is. It’s not just, ‘Oh, X is going here. The players should get it.’ Sometimes there’s a disconnect in communication and stuff like that.”
The bye week also gave the coordinator and his assistants time to address the very disconnect Oweh described: not just what they’re teaching, but how they’re teaching it. The self-scouting process revealed areas where simplifying the message could help “our guys play fast and just line up,” Jones said. “Have their feet set in the ground and just go.”
For more from Ben Standig, click here
Commanders.com
3 keys to Commanders vs. Eagles
Win on third down
The Commanders have been sporadic on offense this season, and much of that stems from their struggles to stay on the field. They are currently 32nd in third-down conversion rate, but that could change against a Vic Fangio defense that has not performed up to expectations.
What was considered one of the best defenses in the league this past offseason has looked like anything but that in recent weeks. The Eagles are a bottom-five team in yards allowed per game. They are not generating sacks, with just eight so far this year; they are giving up 131 yards per game on the ground; and they are vulnerable in the secondary, allowing nearly 240 yards per game through the air.
The Eagles still have defensive weapons like Jalen Carter and Quinyon Mitchell, but this is a prime opportunity for the Commanders to build some consistency. Much of that is going to rest on the shoulders of Jayden Daniels, who has continued to look impressive with zero turnovers so far this season. He will not have Terry McLaurin for the rest of the year, but Chig Okonkwo has become more involved in the passing game over the last two games, and Stefon Diggs is the Commanders’ most consistent option for receiving touchdowns. What’s more, Antonio Williams is primed to have a bigger role.
The Commanders have had issues with longer third-down situations this season. They seemed to have found a solution in the second half against the 49ers. Sunday’s game will be a test to see if they can maintain that success.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders.com
Commander Center crew talks about which players they have their eyes on
Santana Moss: OLB Joshua Josephs
I think for what [round] we got him in the draft, we saw the potential and didn’t expect…as a guy sitting in this seat, I wasn’t expecting it. You got a lot of guys that we go in free agency and you got a chance to sit behind these guys and learn, and then before you know it, you’ll be a pro. You’ll be a pro at what you do best. I think he has exceeded that. I think that, ‘I’m not ready to sit down. I’m ready to come in here right now and show you the value that I have and actually bring more to your portfolio.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
Jayden Daniels is protecting the football, and that matters to the Commanders
Through four games in 2026, Daniels has yet to lead the Commanders to a win. But he also hasn’t thrown an interception or lost a fumble, which lines up with an impressive trend of ball security throughout his career.
Daniels has accounted for only 14 turnovers over his three seasons, with 48 total touchdowns. For a player who runs as often as he does and isn’t afraid to throw downfield, that’s exceptionally impressive.
If we’re making sweeping statements about Daniels’ game management based on a few situational bloopers, we need to bring this up as well. Ball security is a critical skill for a quarterback, and he’s shown he can sustain it.
Of course, some quarterbacks never turn it over because they play too conservatively. But offensive coordinator David Blough isn’t concerned about that with Daniels.
Daniels doesn’t shy away from his shots. His accuracy on deep passes leaves room for growth, and he’s been prone to missing open reads, but he doesn’t play hero ball. He doesn’t throw hare-brained interceptions in key moments because he’s trying to do too much.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Athlon Sports
Mike Sainristil Is Allowing Twice as Many Yards Per Catch as Quinyon Mitchell
Sainristil was a different player not long ago.
The numbers are lopsided at every level. Sainristil has allowed 12 catches at 17.7 yards apiece, and he’s given up five touchdowns on 18 targets, according to our Week 8 analytics breakdown. His 29.4 overall grade is also last among cornerbacks, and Washington’s defense ranks 25th in overall EPA allowed, so his struggles haven’t happened in isolation.
Mitchell has been targeted more and hurt less. He’s allowed 22 catches at 8.9 yards per reception with an interception, and his 73.2 coverage grade ranks 14th, according to PFF. He’s also played 446 snaps to Sainristil’s 180, so his numbers come on a much bigger workload.
Sainristil’s sample is small enough that one good game would move his grade. The five touchdowns are harder to explain away, and Washington can’t keep giving them up at that rate.
McKee may not be able to take advantage
Philadelphia’s passing game is in worse shape than Washington’s secondary. Jalen Hurts is out with blood clots, which opened the NFC East, and McKee has averaged 5.3 yards per attempt with two touchdown passes and an interception in his two starts. PFF grades him at 65.9.
The Eagles rank 29th in overall EPA and 31st in dropback success rate.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
Steve Wilks’ changing role leaves Commanders with an explanation problem
Some fans have drawn their own conclusions.
They believe Wilks puts more pressure on Jones and could be Quinn’s interim replacement if the head man is fired. That might seem a little far-fetched, but the ever-changing responsibilities leave reasons for such questions.
Wilks is here to help Jones. The Commanders’ defense has made positive strides this season, but it has lacked consistency for four quarters. Having a sounding board should only help the rookie NFL play-caller, but this dynamic cannot become anything more than that.
If the Commanders had been a little clearer about Wilks’ role, this may not have been a problem. The timing of the appointment, and the quick shift in strategy around it, only raises doubts about this move’s real intent.
And with the Commanders in a precarious position, this is a distraction Quinn could have done without.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Podcasts & videos
Eagles in Freefall; on Steve Wilks | John Keim Report
Treylon Burks is READY for Primetime vs. Eagles 🔥 + DeAngelo Hall’s Love for the Game | Next Man Up
NFC East links
Blogging the Boys
Cowboys vs Cardinals: 3 causes for concern in Week 8
Schottenheimer’s Cowboys consistency issues
In the Brian Schottenheimer era, consistency has been one of the Cowboys’ biggest pain points. In the 24 games that Schottenheimer has been Dallas’ head coach, the Cowboys have won back-to-back games just once. That lone winning streak came back in November of last year when they won three in a row against the Raiders, Eagles, and Chiefs.
While Dallas is facing an inferior opponent this week in the Arizona Cardinals, the Schottenheimer-coached Cowboys teams have not been able to take advantage of these matchups and string together wins.
Week 5 of last season is a perfect example. Dallas won big against the New York Jets and headed into a very winnable game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. The Cowboys entered the game as three-point favorites over the 2-3 Carolina team but ended up losing the contest 30-27.
This week the Cowboys are in a very similar spot. They absolutely should beat the Cardinals and give Schottenheimer his second winning streak of his NFL coaching career, but given what we’ve seen from this team in the past two years, it’s hard to trust them to do so.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Note: The Giants are on a BYE this week
Upcoming opponent – Eagles
Commanders next game is at home on Sunday Night Football vs the Philadelphia Eagles
ESPN
NFL Week 8 preview: Picks, predictions, schedule, betting odds, fantasy tips
Eagles (2-5) at Commanders (1-4-1)
8:20 p.m. ET | NBC | WSH -6 (40.5 O/U)
What we’re hearing on the Eagles: The Eagles are coming off their worst defensive performance in two-plus seasons under coordinator Vic Fangio, posting lows in opponent points (38), EPA (minus-18.9) and opponent points per drive (4.2). The defensive front showed little resistance against a running attack that went for 204 yards. There were plenty of outside voices pointing to a lack of effort, but coach Nick Sirianni said he doesn’t see it that way. “We’ve got to do a better job coaching. We’ve got to do a better job executing, getting off blocks, tackling. We had a couple missed tackles, but it’s always going to be about block destruction, playing on their side of the line of scrimmage, and then us putting them in positions to succeed,” he said. — Tim McManus
What we’re hearing on the Commanders: Washington averages more blitzes per game than any team except Minnesota, but the effectiveness needs to improve. And it could be a way to impact Eagles QB Tanner McKee. He has made four career starts, including two this season. In the past two games, he has completed only 11 of 22 passes for 105 yards against blitzes. But Washington needs to be more successful when doing so: The Commanders have forced only one turnover when blitzing, the fewest among the top-12 teams sending extra rushers. Coordinator Daronte Jones said they need to be better winning one-on-one matchups. “Very seldom do you see free [rushers] all the time. You have to win some one-on-ones; we can be more successful with that if we execute properly.” — John Keim
Stat to know: The Eagles go three-and-out on 37% of their drives, by far the highest rate in the NFL and the highest rate through seven games since the 2009 49ers. — ESPN Research
Betting insight: Since 2000, home favorites off a bye are 1-9-1 ATS against teams on short rest after Monday night. Washington’s defense gives Philadelphia a chance despite the injuries. McKee keeps finding Dallas Goedert, and the Commanders struggle against TEs. They also allow touchdowns on 81.8% of red zone trips. I don’t trust Washington to pull away from this depleted Eagles offense. Read more. — Maldonado
Maldonado’s pick: Commanders 23, Eagles 20
Moody’s pick: Commanders 24, Eagles 17
Walder’s pick: Eagles 20, Commanders 17
FPI prediction: WSH, 64.1% (by an average of 3.7 points)
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Hogs Haven
Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles Week 8: Five Questions with Bleeding Green Nation
BGN alumnus Jimmy Kempski put together an “Eagles season from hell tracker” which details all the crazy stuff that’s been going on.
In broader strokes, the offense has been really bad and ineffective. These struggles can be explained in part due to Lane Johnson unexpectedly retiring and the Eagles getting hit hard by injuries. But it’s hard to argue the coaching staff has made the most out of the talent they’ve been given to work with. The offense did show some signs of life against the Cowboys in Week 7 … but the Dallas defense is pretty awful, so, it’s hard to know how much of that success will carry over moving forward.
The Eagles’ defense, which was supposed to be their biggest strength this season, has underperformed lofty expectations. They’re coming off their worst (or second-worst) performance of the 2026 campaign after getting bullied by the Cowboys on Monday night. The Eagles have poured way too many resources into their defensive front to be as ineffective as they were against Dallas. They didn’t make Dak Prescott look the slightest bit uncomfortable, logging zero quarterback hits. And the Eagles also got shoved around in the run game.
It’s hardly hyperbolic to qualify the Eagles as one of the worst teams in the NFL right now. They rank bottom five in DVOA, point differential, and weighted EPA per play on both offense and defense.
2) Will the Eagles be sellers or buyers at the trade deadline or stand pat (and why)? If they make trades, what kind of trades would you foresee?
They SHOULD be sellers. This isn’t a season worth salvaging.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
