The Washington Commanders entered Week 5 needing a win in the worst way.
The team entered the weekend at 1-3, with a 0-2 record in conference play. However, this weekend provided a solid chance for the Commanders, as Jayden Daniels made his return, and the Giants are banged up in their own right.
At times, it looked like the Commanders would run away with this game. However, strange coaching decisions, poor defense, and miscues ensured that didn’t happen. Despite holding a 27-13 lead in the fourth quarter, the Commanders allowed the Giants to come back and force overtime. In overtime, the Commanders did nothing, and the game ended in a tie.
Now, let’s talk about the studs and duds from this performance.
Stud: Jayden Daniels
People will blame Jayden Daniels for the game
ending in a tie. The quarterback seemingly had a brain lapse, as he ran a final play that resulted in the time running out in field goal range and the game ending in a tie.
But the Commanders aren't even in this game if not for Daniels. The quarterback completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards, and also rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns. The quarterback didn’t turn the ball over, and he kept several drives alive and avoided plenty of sacks. Rushing for over 100 yards and two touchdowns would be enough to win a lot of games.
Dud: Coaching staff
The coaching in this game, particularly from Daronte Jones and Dan Quinn, was nowhere near good enough. For Jones, it’s inexcusable that Jameis Winston was allowed to drive down the field and score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Then, in overtime, Jones got bailed out by a Cam Skattebo fumble. The Giants’ offense was driving and well within field goal range before that fumble. Winston made a couple of throws to wide-open receivers, and that’s inexcusable in that situation.
Stud: Jacory Croskey-Merritt
I’ve been hard on Croskey-Merritt this season because he really hasn’t shown much. Coming into this game, Bill was averaging under three yards per carry, which is unbelievably bad. Well, thankfully, Croskey-Merritt had his most efficient game in Week 5.
Croskey-Merritt ended with 82 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. The running back didn’t get many opportunities, but he made the most of the ones he did.
Dud: Secondary
Once again, the Washington secondary gave us plenty to criticize. The unit allowed Winston to throw for 326 yards and three touchdowns and couldn't force an interception, which is surprising given how prone Winston is to turnovers.
Rasul Douglas and Amik Robertson both made a couple of nice plays, but the unit overall had no answer for Malik Nabers. Nabers ended with 11 catches for 121 yards and one touchdown, and kept the team alive at the end.
Dud: Offensive line
To be frank, the Commanders’ offensive line was bad in Week 5. The unit allowed five sacks, six tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits. That’s why Daniels was so efficient running the ball: he was running for his life.
We know this unit has dealt with a ton of injuries, but it still has to be better than this. At this rate, Daniels is going to get hurt again if he keeps taking this many hits.
Dud: Drew Stevens
It may be time for Washington to find a new kicker. Drew Stevens missed an extra point on Sunday, and it turned out to be a huge deal because the game ended in a tie. Sure would have been nice to have that extra point.
Stevens has now missed an extra point in three of the five games this season. The kicker has also missed two field goals, but the extra points are the most concerning.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Studs and duds from Commanders' inexcusable Week 5 tie with Giants
