The Washington Commanders are coming off a much needed bye in Week 7, and return to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.
The Eagles present a unique opportunity this week. They are without Jalen Hurts for the remainder of the season. Saquon Barkley is banged up. Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are both on injured reserve. Devonta Smith didn't play in Week 7, and neither did Dontayvion Wicks. The Eagles' offense is struggling, as we witnessed against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night.
If the Commanders show up and play like they have been, they have a strong chance to win this game. As long as Dan Quinn knows what down it is and where they are on the field.
As we enter Week 8, here’s where the Commanders rank across multiple power
rankings.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 25 (27)
If you like rooting for the good guys, let's hope Dan Quinn's internal bye week audit bears some fruit for the one-win Commanders.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: 24 (25)
The big question for the Commanders coming out of the bye will be how to replace top receiver Terry McLaurin, who is done for the season with a torn patellar tendon. Stefon Diggs' role will increase, though he is miscast as a top option at this point in his career. Tight end Chig Okonkwo had season highs with seven catches on seven targets last week, and his usage will have to increase without McLaurin. Rookie receiver Antonio Williams, a third-round draft pick who has shown flashes, has a big opportunity ahead.
The Commanders are 1-4-1 but not completely out of the NFC East race due to the malaise elsewhere in the division. But the Commanders first need to figure out how to adequately replace their best pass catcher.
Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports: 27 (27)
Super Bowl odds: +12500 (21st-best)
Dan Quinn still has his job, which is something of a minor upset as the Commanders return from their bye week. And if they didn’t make the change already, then he’ll probably hang on until the end of the season. The good news for them is the schedule isn’t particularly tough the rest of the way, at least until they get to their late-season road trip through Minnesota and Jacksonville. And the NFC East still stinks, so there are still opportunities to take the division if they don’t fall too far behind. But lower your expectations. They’re 1-4-1 for a reason, and it’s not a good one.
Next game: vs. Eagles (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)
Stat To Know: Through Week 7, the Commanders have allowed 28.7 points per game, the second-worst mark in the NFL.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 29 (28)
They come off their bye with a lot of pressure on Dan Quinn to start winning games, beginning with a home game against the Eagles. They aren't out of the division race yet, though.
Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated: 27 (26)
Last week’s ranking: No. 26Last week’s result: idleThis week: vs. Eagles
At 1–4–1, Dan Quinn doesn’t have the longest odds of survival in the NFL, but it’s close. His most recent press conferences have been a Greatest Hits of coaches who understand their backs are against the wall. Guys will get benched quicker. Younger players have to step up. You know the drill.
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, The Athletic: 27 (NC)
Sunday: Bye
Something spooky: Confusion that reigns
It’s always something with the Commanders this season. Jayden Daniels not spiking the ball quickly enough in a tie with the Giants. Dan Quinn seemingly not realizing it was fourth down (though he disputes that) in a loss to the 49ers. As our Barry Svrluga noted, it’s never a good sign when so much time is spent trying to read your coach’s lips.
Up next: vs. Eagles, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
theScore: 26 (27)
Previous rank: 27
Washington has panicked and made repeated costly decisions in recent games. The Commanders ran out of time in overtime and had to settle for a tie against the Giants. They also saw quarterback Jayden Daniels throw the ball away on fourth down in the red zone during a Week 6 loss to the 49ers.
Bleacher Report: 27 (28)
Last Week: 28
Week 7 Result: Bye Week
The Washington Commanders couldn't get out of their own way with poor situational awareness over the last two weeks. They should've had a chance to kick a game-winning field goal in Week 5, and head coach Dan Quinn had to answer questions about a fourth-down sequence in Week 6.
To make matters worse, wideout Terry McLaurin will miss the remainder of the season with a torn patellar tendon.
The Commanders' season is on the brink of disaster. This team needed a Week 7 bye to regroup, as Quinn may be coaching to save his job. Though in a mediocre division, Washington can still make a run for the NFC East title.
Walter Football: 20 (NC)
Another week, another coaching gaffe by Dan Quinn, who yelled for this team to go for a field goal after Jayden Daniels foolishly threw the ball away on fourth down. Daniels, meanwhile, looked like he pissed his pants at the prospect of scrambling into a Fred Warner-led linebacker group. The giant wuss ran for only 10 yards in a loss. Pathetic!
NFL Nation, ESPN: 29 (28)
Week 7 result: ByeWeek 7 ranking: 29
Best offseason addition: LB Sonny Styles
Styles, the No. 7 pick, has been exactly what Washington had hoped. His speed has made a difference on numerous plays, including on a pass breakup versus San Francisco in Week 6 when he stripped receiver Mike Evans to cause an incompletion. Styles leads Washington with 46 tackles and is second with three for a loss. He has a sack, an interception and a forced fumble -- one of three NFL linebackers to have each of those. His four pass breakups are tied for second most among all linebackers.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Where do the Commanders stand in Week 8?
