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Logan Paulsen breaks down prep for Chargers, Justin Herbert
The Chargers are coming off their first loss of the season to the New York Giants, whose defensive line pressured Herbert a total of 20 times according to Next Gen Stats. So far this season, Herbert has thrown for 1,063 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. It was Herbert’s worst performance of the season so far, as he completed just 56% of his passes and threw three interceptions. The Chargers’ passing game had been dominant up to that point and currently ranks fifth in the NFL.
According to analyst Logan Paulsen, that can be attributed to Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who utilizes the run game to put Herbert in a better position — something Washington’s defense will have to prepare for.
“He’s condensing the formation, creating more space outside the numbers for receivers, and forcing the defense now to think about different personnel, different formations, are we gap sound?” Paulsen said. “As a defensive coordinator, you have to spend time in the week coaching that. So now, all of a sudden, when it’s time to throw the football, the play action shot is more effective, or the defensive line can’t tee off the same way because we’re in a certain formation.”
Washington’s defense is one of only two teams that hasn’t allowed a run of more than 20 yards this season. However, they’ve allowed 13 pass plays for over 20 yards this season. Paulsen pointed out that the goal of the defense is to make offenses one dimensional and the variation of the Chargers offense can be a challenge for opponents.
A to Z Sports
3 factors the Commanders have to execute on to secure road victory over the Chargers
Continue to lean into the run game
The Commanders are one of the top rushing offenses in the league, and have the second-most rushing yards with 619, despite being 17th in the league in rush attempts with 105. We’ve seen Bill Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez Jr, and Jeremy McNichols all break loose for big gains this season, but we have yet to see a full run game for four quarters.
Early deficits on the road don’t help the offense’s case to run the ball when you’re down double digits early, and forced to run a track meet with the defense giving up big plays, but offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury needs to realize that the big plays can come on the ground too. The Chargers are a middle-of-the-pack rush defense that allows 111 rushing yards per game, and the opportunities will be there.
Heavy.com
Tay Martin : Elevated from practice squad
The Commanders elevated Martin from their practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Chargers. Martin will be elevated for the second straight week, as both Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin) have been ruled out. Martin caught one pass for 14 yards in addition to seeing playing time on special teams in last week’s loss versus the Falcons and should have a similar role versus the Chargers.
Commanders Wire
WR Tay Martin elevated for 2nd consecutive game
As expected, the Commanders again elevated receiver Tay Martin from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Chargers in Los Angeles. This was expected due to both starting receivers being out of the game. As for Martin, last week against the Falcons, he was targeted once and made the catch for a 14-yard gain, resulting in a first down.
The Commanders had earlier publicly announced that starting receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown are both out for Sunday vs the Chargers.
Heavy.com
Luvu was fined for unnecessary roughness in loss to Falcons
“Two Commanders were fined following last week’s game at Atlanta: Frankie Luvu ($23,186) for a hip-drop tackle with 11:17 remaining in the 2Q and Ale Kaho ($4,685) for use of the helmet with 4:22 remaining in 3Q Both fines fall under Unnecessary roughness,” Commanders reporter Ben Standig wrote on his official X account.
Last season, Luvu…was fined $11,255 for unsportsmanlike conduct against the Eagles in the regular season then hit with another $33,766 for 2 fines in an NFC Divisional Round win over the Detroit Lions.
Riggo’s Rag’s Ryan Fowler pointed out recently that Luvu’s role has drastically changed in 2025 under second year defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. — he’s now being asked to play assignment football.
“Last year, Luvu thrived in a scheme that blended aggression with unpredictability,” Fowler wrote on October 2. “His best plays came when he attacked unguarded space or when protections slid elsewhere. In 2025, he’s being asked to win without the schematic runway that made those plays accessible.”
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HC Dan Quinn Previews Washington Commanders vs. Los Angeles Chargers | The Gameplan | NFL
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Angry birds
A.J. Brown is frustrated … again.
He’s made that clear, while the other high-paid receiver in Philadelphia, DeVonta Smith, has stayed quiet despite his own frustrations, multiple sources tell me. The wideouts in Philadelphia clearly want more touchdowns. They each have one.
Through four games, Brown, a three-time All-Pro, has just 14 catches for 151 yards. That’s not the production he or anyone expects from one of the most talented receivers in football. And so, like we’ve seen before, the frustration spilled out.
This time it came in the form of scripture, posted to his X account: “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”
Cue the freak out.
The timing is what makes it sting. The Eagles are winning and currently perfect in the red zone this year, No. 1 in football at 100 percent.
Still, as one league source put it: “Right now, for the Eagles, it’s run, run, run, (Jalen) Hurts off-schedule pass, tush push. For their receivers, that means when they get to the red zone, they aren’t getting the ball — and they know it. Hence the frustrations.”
Brown and Hurts have a long history. High school and college friends turned NFL teammates, Hurts is the godfather to Brown’s daughter, Jersee. A former teammate once described them as “an old married couple,” but I’m told they’re not that close these days. Like any friendship, life happens. Family responsibilities, the grind of being pros, shifting priorities. They’re friendly, but as one Eagles player described it: “It’s functional, professional.”
“They are paying roughly $50 million to two wide receivers (Brown and Smith), and they aren’t even that involved,” one NFL GM told me. “They may move on simply because Philly is a run-heavy team.”
Blogging the Boys
Buy/Sell for Cowboys in Week 5 vs Jets
SELL
WR George Pickens
As we just alluded to, Pickens will face tough sledding as Dallas’ clear primary receiving threat. New York may not be able to slow him down too much, having been vulnerable to most teams’ number-one receivers in earlier games. But with Turpin also missing, the Jets would be smart to try shutting Pickens down and forcing Prescott to make plays with Tolbert, Jake Ferguson, and other less-explosive targets.
Still, coming off 134 yards and two touchdowns, Pickens and Prescott’s connection is getting hotter by the week. The offensive line injuries may limit much downfield throwing, but they could still eat on the short and intermediate routes. It depends on just how many resources the Jets commit to stopping them.
LBs Jack Sanborn & Kenneth Murray
We’ve seen mobile QBs make even some of our best defensive players look bad, and Murray and Sanborn have already had their issues this year. Murray’s already nursing a knee issue this week, and trying to change direction on play-action and RPOs with Justin Field and Breece Hall won’t be easy. It’s no bold prediction given how they’ve been performing already in 2025, but this matchup could make matters even worse for Dallas’ beleaguered linebackers.
Big Blue View
Roster moves: Giants elevate PK, LB for Sunday’s game vs. Saints
The New York Giants are elevating placekicker Jude McAtamney and linebacker Neville Hewitt from their practice squad for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
This is the second straight elevation for McAtamney, who made two short field goals and an extra point last week in place injured kicker Graham Gano, who is on IR. The Giants also have veteran placekicker Younghoe Koo on their practice squad.
This is the third and final elevation for Hewitt. The Giants will have to add him to their 53-man roster after this week if they want to have him available on game days.
Upcoming opponent
Bolts from the Blue
Bolts will avoid star WAS WR Terry McLaurin on Sunday
How will the Commanders offense attack the Chargers defense without their top receiving threats?
Before Washington put out their final injury report of Week Five, wideouts Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown were ruled out for this week’s game. McLaurin, the team’s WR1, also missed Week Four where they ended up losing in a close game to the Atlanta Falcons.
Former Niners star Deebo Samuel has been the team’s most-productive wideout since joining the team this offseason and it looks like — even after missing the first two practices of the week — he will play on Sunday, per head coach Dan Quinn. That at least gives the Commanders offense a decent floor, along with tight end Zach Ertz.
Not having to worry about McLaurin is a big relief, but the Bolts will still have to be on top of their business to make sure they don’t fall to 3-2 after a tremendous start to the year.
Hogs Haven
Washington Commanders vs LA Chargers Week 5: Five Questions with Bolts from the Blue
How should Washington go about gameplanning this matchup on both sides of the ball?
Washington needs to do their best to attack the Chargers offensive line from just about every direction. They will be starting multiple backups while the actual “starters” that remain have been some of the worst in the NFL at their positions. Washington needs to throw as many stunts and twists up front to get after Herbert early and often and usually that leads to great things for the defense.
As for attacking the defense, the Chargers will attempt to keep everything in front of them at the second and third levels. If Washington can stretch the field vertically and horizontally, there should be plenty of room for the run game and specifically or Jayden Daniels to use his legs as both a designed rusher and scrambler. The Bolts were unable to cap Jaxson Dart in his first ever start and Daniels is a whole other beast in that regard.
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Former NFL Player Mark Sanchez Arrested at Hospital After Being Injured in Indianapolis Stabbing Incident
Sanchez was charged with battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication
Mark Sanchez has been arrested, following an incident in Indianapolis during which he was stabbed.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) announced that the former NFL quarterback, 38, was arrested at an area hospital and charged with battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication, all of which are misdemeanors.
Police said Sanchez is still in the hospital and has not been taken to jail.
“All involved parties have been identified, and no further individuals are being sought by detectives,” IMPD said in its statement. “The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final charging decision. An arrest is merely an accusation, and Sanchez should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”
Sanchez was in Indianapolis for a planned broadcast appearance with FOX Sports when he was stabbed just after 12:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 4, in an incident that involved “two adult males, resulting in one man receiving lacerations and the other sustaining injuries consistent with stab wounds.”
Daily Mail
Police audio released after ex-NFL star Mark Sanchez is stabbed and arrested as fresh details emerge
Citing a police report, FOX59 anchor Angela Ganote reported that the alleged victim informed cops that he was delivering food when the Fox Sports commentator told him he needed to move his vehicle and couldn’t park where he was.
Sanchez is accused of threatening, following and attacking the man, who tried – and failed – to pepper spray him. He claimed it was at that time that he defended himself with a knife.
