Penalties have not been a major problem for the Washington Commanders compared to other teams, as they are tied for the 12th-most penalties in the NFL through the first six weeks.
However, when they commit those penalties, it has been a problem. The Commanders’ penalties tend to take large plays off the board. In fact, they have an average of 30.5 yards wiped out per game due to penalties. That is the most in the NFL so far this season.
🚩 Most yards wiped out by penalties per game in the NFL this season:
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 22, 2026
1. Commanders - 30.5
2. Buccaneers - 26.2
3. Panthers - 24.6
4. Packers - 17.0
5. Eagles - 16.2
6. Jaguars - 15.8
7. Patriots - 14.3
8. Steelers - 13.8
9. Ravens - 13.5
10. Bills - 12.5 pic.twitter.com/ndOiADFain
Perhaps their most notable game
as far as penalties go was their Week 4 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, when they finished the game with 10 penalties. One of their penalties was on a 33-yard kick return that was negated by an illegal block above the waist. On the very next drive, they had an 87-yard touchdown pass negated due to an illegal shift; there was also a questionable holding penalty on that play. That touchdown would have tied the game, and the Commanders had to punt on that drive.
In the Week 3 win over the Seattle Seahawks, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a 48-yard touchdown run wiped out by a pre-snap penalty. In Monday night’s loss to the 49ers, running back Jeremy McNichols scored the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but a facemask penalty on left guard Chris Paul took it off the board. The Commanders would not score again, falling 23-17.
This problem has continued even with quarterback Jayden Daniels back in the lineup. Perhaps head coach Dan Quinn will work on correcting this problem during the bye week. Washington will play again on Sun. Nov. 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders lead the NFL in a stat that explains 1-4-1 start
