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Commanders vs. Dolphins: Three must-know storylines for Madrid game on Sunday
Will Commanders defense see difference in Quinn’s takeover?
Head coach Dan Quinn announced this week that he will assume defensive play-calling duties, a move that comes after Washington allowed 82 total points in the last two games. Quinn, who’s twice risen from defensive coordinator roles to head coaching jobs, is bringing it upon himself to turn around a defense that’s yielded 394.6 yards and 28.0 points per game, which rank 30th and 29th in the league, respectively.
The Commanders D has
been ravaged by injury this season and the absences will only grow on Sunday with star defensive tackle Daron Payne, who has been suspended for Week 11, and standout rookie cornerback Trey Amos, who was placed on injured reserve with a fractured fibula, out.
Quinn is known for his aggressive nature as a play-caller, and the Commanders have generated 22 sacks through 10 games. A frenzied pocket has consistently forced Tua Tagovailoa into mistakes, and disrupting the Dolphins’ high-paced offense at the line of scrimmage figures to be at the top of Washington’s focus.
Quinn’s takeover could also come with some schematic changes or position adjustments that have yet to be seen and will surely be held close to the vest until Sunday. One reliable constant Washington can lean on is future Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner, who’s second in the NFL with 99 tackles and could lead the league in the category a fourth time in his age-35 season.
While it might seem like a desperate move by Quinn to salvage a spiraling season, it’s a measure that could jolt Washington’s defense going forward.
Heavy.com
Jayden Daniels Playing Again After Gruesome Injury Could Be ‘Beneficial,’ Joe Theismann Says
Daniels has not been placed on injured reserve. Head coach Dan Quinn said Daniels suffered no ligament damage and will not need surgery. Meaning, there is a possibility Daniels could return this season if the hole they dig isn’t too deep.
Theismann told Fox News that the Commanders should let Daniels back on the field…if he is “medically cleared 100%, that he would not risk further injury to any of the injuries that he’s had.”
“I think being able to go back and play at some point would be beneficial to him to continue to grow,” Theismann told the outlet. “You have to remember he’s only in his second year and hasn’t played a lot in his second year. And the only real way you learn how to play this game is being out on the field, because you have to manage situations, you have to anticipate coverages, you have to protect yourself.”
“This is the one thing I tell all young quarterbacks when I get a chance to be around them: Don’t count on the rules to protect you. Protect yourself, run out of bounds, slide, throw the ball away. Always think of the next opportunity, the next play, because it doesn’t do you any good to try and take a shot or try and get special stuff when you’re hurt. You can’t learn when you’re hurt,” Theismann said.
A to Z Sports
Terry McLaurin could return soon
We heard that McLaurin would be traveling with the team to Madrid, Spain, which means he must’ve been trending in the right direction with his injury. McLaurin reinjured his quad during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, which caused him to miss four games the first time. Quinn gave the media an update on McLaurin’s return.
“Yeah, so he’s here and he’ll do some of the movement and begin the on-field portions
of the rehab.” Quinn said. “So, the first couple of weeks, he was not able to do that. And so, now he’s able to begin some of the on-field portions of the rehab. So, that’ll take the buildup time to do that, but we’re glad he is here, taking the next step on the on-field side. So, sometimes these injuries take longer than you want, and they’re not predictable to say it’s going to be this set time. We’re just going to continue to say, okay, next step, next step, next step. And so, the on-field portion is a good sign that, okay, we can now take the next steps.”
Heavy.com
Chase Edmonds : Elevated for Week 11
The Commanders elevated Edmonds from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Zach Selby of the team’s official site reports. Edmonds joined the Commanders’ practice squad in mid-September, and he’ll be available for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins in Spain to provide additional backfield depth behind Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols. Edmonds missed the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury and last saw regular-season action in 2023 with the Buccaneers, when he turned 49 carries into 176 yards and caught 14 passes (on 17 targets) for 81 yards across 13 regular-season games.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders should target Zach Ertz heavily to expose Dolphins’ defensive weakness
Taking the layers back on his opportunity this week, the Dolphins’ defense is talented and fast, but it’s far from airtight. But what does that mean for Ertz’s production?
At its core, Miami’s glaring weakness lies at linebacker, where Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson have been repeatedly exposed in coverage week after week. Through 10 games, the two have combined for 90 targets against and 758 yards allowed through the air — the most of any linebacking duo in football. Opposing tight ends and slot receivers have consistently found open space over the middle, and that’s precisely where Ertz thrives.
For Washington, attacking the short and intermediate areas will be essential. Miami’s pass rush — led by Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson, and Kenneth Grant — is explosive, meaning Mariota will need to get the ball out quickly. That’s where Ertz comes in. His ability to uncover fast, settle into soft spots, and present a large, reliable target between the hashes gives Washington a critical outlet when pressure arrives.
And while Ertz is more of a catch-and-fall player at this stage of his career, rather than a yards after the catch threat to take it for an extra 15 yards, that reliability and spatial awareness can quickly add up to a profitable day.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders’ lighter schedule ahead could be a blessing or a curse
Washington just completed a stretch of four games that were always going to be tough to win. They played road games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs. They hosted the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions. All four of those contests were against high-octane offenses. Three of them are likely playoff teams, and the fourth was their bitter rival.
Now, the Commanders get the Dolphins at a neutral site. After that, they’re on a much-needed bye before returning against an extremely smoke-and-mirrors Denver Broncos team at home. Their next two games are against the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants, both sub-.500 squads.
All of these feel winnable.
In the best possible scenario, Quinn taking over defensive coordinator duties pays off, and both star quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin return after the bye. Washington could be 6-8 or even 7-7 five weeks from now, improbably with a chance to make a playoff push.
Of course, the downside of a more manageable schedule is that the competition level can no longer be used as an excuse.
Podcasts & videos
HC Dan Quinn Previews Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins in Madrid | The Gameplan | NFL
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Bleeding Green Nation
Report: “Multiple Eagles offensive players have grown frustrated with Jalen Hurts’ approach this season”
Here’s a tidbit from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who has reported on Brown and his uncertain future in Philly quite a lot this season (bold epmhasis is mine):
There’s no more guessing about whether Brown is happy playing in this offense. He told the world he’s miserable. But why exactly? What’s being said behind closed doors?
After doing some digging and asking people inside the Eagles building, it was explained that multiple offensive players have grown frustrated with Jalen Hurts’ approach this season, particularly against zone coverage. They believe he’s become hesitant in tight windows, leaning on checkdowns or scrambles instead of trusting what’s open downfield.
Philadelphia ranks 30th in pass attempts. The result? Pass catchers become disinterested. Any top receiver I’ve covered in this league has said the same thing: They spend hours getting open. When the ball doesn’t come their way, frustration follows.
Still, this approach comes with a benefit, right? At their bye week last season, the Eagles had the second-most turnovers in the NFL. Now, in their first season under offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, they have committed the fewest turnovers in the league, and Hurts has thrown just one interception all season. They’re also the best red zone team in football. As long as they get there, they figure they’re scoring touchdowns. It’s conservative, but it’s working … to a point.
It’s a talented offense that knows it’s underperforming. This isn’t just Brown venting. The whole unit wants more trust, more communication and maybe a little more edge from its leader.
Against the Lions on Sunday night in Philly, Hurts and the Eagles get their chance to show it.
Blogging the Boys
The ripple effect of the Cowboys trades on their future
Zeroing in on key positions in the draft
Heading into 2026, the Cowboys will have almost all 11 of their starters on offense under contract. George Pickens is the only glaring free agent they would need to re-sign. Terence Steele, who is battling for his job in practice this week, could also be replaced in 2026.
When the Parsons trade was made, Dallas had four first-round picks over the next four years, and with the way the defense has played this year, the hope was that all four would be used on replenishing the talent on that side of the ball. So far, one of the first-round picks has been used on defense and put toward the Williams trade.
Defensive tackle was a massive need for Dallas heading into 2026, but now with Williams, Odighizuwa, and Thomas almost all sure to return next season, that room looks a lot different than it did a few weeks ago. Even Logan Wilson being in the building allows some flexibility at linebacker, so that Dallas doesn’t need to force a first-round pick at that position if the right player is not there. They still have plenty of young talent to develop there, as mentioned above.
That leaves two key positions on defense Dallas could zero in on with their two first-round picks in the upcoming draft—edge rusher and safety.
Big Blue View
New York Giants roster moves: Offensive line bust placed on IR
Evan Neal’s career with the Giants might now be over.
The New York Giants on Saturday placed offensive lineman Evan Neal, who has never played up to his status as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury. Neal had been active for just one game this season and had not played a snap.
This move could well end Neal’s career with the Giants.
In his place, the Giants signed placekicker Younghoe Koo to the 53-man roster. Koo made his Giants’ debut last week in place of Graham Gano, who is on IR with a herniated disc in his neck. Koo made two short field goals and two extra points in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears.
The Giants elevated two young, popular players from their practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers — defensive tackle Elijah Chatman and wide receiver/special teamer Dalen Cambre.
Upcoming opponent
The Phinsider
Jaylen Waddle isn’t a true “#1 WR”. Here’s why.
A few weeks ago in the comments section, someone mentioned that Jaylen Waddle is always hurt. But he’s only missed 5 games in his 4.5 years in the league.
It got me thinking… I also think that Jaylen Waddle is “always hurt”. But why?
It seems like he gets injured and has to leave games more often than most players. Sometimes for a few plays or a series, but almost every game he gets up gingerly and limps off a couple times.
Snap Count Comparison
I wanted some data to compare so I started by looking at snap counts of the Waddle and the three other WR in his draft class that have made the Pro-Bowl.
- Jamarr Chase
- Jaylen Waddle
- DeVonta Smith
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
Over their careers, here is the percentage of offensive snaps played in games that they were available for. (Games that they were inactive due to injury are not included. Games that they left early and missed snaps are included).
So here are their snap percentages.
- Jamarr Chase – 90.2% (6,256 yds, 51 td)
- DeVonta Smith – 89.9% (4,668 yds, 30 td)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown – 83.1% (5,544 yds, 41 td)
- Jaylen Waddle – 76.7% (4799 yds, 25 td)
Some interesting tidbits to take note of:
- St. Brown played less than 80% of the snaps his first and second year, but has been over 85% since then.
- Waddle actually peaked his rookie year at 83%. In 2023, he played only 68% of available snaps.
This doesn’t really tell the whole story or prove anything.
But when measured against comparable WR from the same draft year, Waddle plays a remarkably low amount of snaps. Granted, he has been productive when on the field.
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Lions place Sam LaPorta (back) on injured reserve; TE to miss at least four games
The Lions placed Sam LaPorta (back) on injured reserve on Saturday, forcing him out for at least the next four games.
LaPorta, who was already ruled out for Sunday’s road game in Philadelphia, is Jared Goff‘s second favorite target with 40 receptions for 466 yards, second only to star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. The third-year TE has also found the end zone three times in nine games played this season.
Following Sunday’s road game against the Eagles, the Lions will play a three-game homestand against the Giants, Packers and Cowboys without LaPorta.
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Pro Football Talk
Bill Belichick’s UNC team loses sixth game of year, to Wake Forest
On Friday night, North Carolina coach Bill Belichick capped his statement regarding a lack of interest in [returning to the NFL — specifically, the NY Giants] by saying, “We’re onto Wake Forest.”
Wake Forest was ready. The Demon Deacons beat the Tar Heels on Saturday, 28-12.
The home team’s first touchdown came on a fumble recovery by the offense that became a scrum that became a 51-yard run to the end zone by receiver Carlos Hernandez.
The closest the game got was 14-9 in the third quarter. Ultimately, Wake Forest scored four touchdowns, and North Carolina scored four field goals. (Two other attempts were blocked.)
“Just not good enough in any area,” Belichick told reporters after the game. “We’re a better team than we were tonight.”
What they are is 4-6. With two games left, they need to win both to become bowl eligible. They finish with games against 5-5 Duke and 5-5 N.C. State.
