NFL
By: Courtney Byrd
The Washington Commanders head to California with plenty to prove. Their 27-27 tie with the New York Giants left them at 1-3-1, intensified questions about Dan Quinn’s leadership, and cost them a chance to gain ground in the NFC East. Monday’s matchup with the undefeated San Francisco 49ers is a tough test, but it also gives Washington a chance to show the Giants game will not define its season.
The Commanders led by 14 in the fourth quarter Sunday before the Giants rallied to force overtime. Washington then got the ball back with a chance to win. After a run by Rachaad White put the Commanders at the Giants’ 24-yard line, the offense needed to manage the clock and set up a field-goal attempt. Instead, the team struggled to get organized. Jayden Daniels scrambled and went down in bounds, and Washington ran out of time before it could spike the ball.
The mistake was bigger than one player missing a cue. Quinn described a breakdown that began with sideline communication and continued through the offense. The play call gave Daniels the option to throw the ball away or stop the clock, but the unit didn’t move with enough urgency to preserve a chance to kick. Quinn has taken responsibility, and Daniels has also acknowledged his role in ensuring the offense understood the situation.
That explanation has not quieted the criticism—the questions now center on whether Washington’s preparation for high-pressure situations is translating to the field. The Commanders have practiced those scenarios, but the final sequence against New York looked disorganized at the exact moment when clarity mattered most. With Quinn’s job security already part of the conversation, the team needs to show it can learn quickly from the mistake.
Daniels’ return was one of the few bright spots. After missing time with an elbow injury, he completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards and rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns. His mobility helped Washington build its lead, and his performance gave the offense a needed spark. The challenge now is turning that production into a complete team effort, especially when the defense must protect a lead late.
San Francisco will offer little room for another slow start or missed opportunity. The 49ers are 5-0 and enter the game after a 32-29 win over Seattle. They will be without Deebo Samuel, who suffered a hamstring injury, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s status is uncertain while he appeals a one-game suspension. Washington also has roster questions after defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste suffered a pectoral injury against the Giants. The Commanders also added running back Devin Neal to the practice squad, giving the backfield another developmental option.
Even with the 49ers dealing with absences, Washington will need to play with discipline on both sides of the ball. The defense must finish drives and keep the game from turning into another late comeback. The offense needs to make the most of Daniels’ playmaking without relying on him to rescue every possession. And the coaching staff must be ready to make clear, decisive calls when the game reaches a critical moment.
The NFC East standings offer Washington a reason to keep pushing. The Giants lead at 3-1-1, while the Eagles and Cowboys are both 2-3. The Commanders are last and haven’t won a division game, but they are not far enough back for the race to be decided. With 12 games remaining, a strong stretch could quickly change the standings. Their schedule after the bye includes key division matchups that could let them make up ground directly.
That opportunity depends on Washington correcting the problems that have already cost it. The tie with New York wasn’t just about phenomenal play. The Commanders also gave up a two-touchdown lead and allowed the Giants to take control late. The last-second breakdown made the ending unforgettable, but the entire game showed how much work remains.
Monday night is a chance to respond against one of the league’s toughest teams. A win would not erase the Giants’ finish, but it would give Washington momentum heading into its bye and keep the NFC East within reach. Another loss would deepen the pressure on Quinn and leave the Commanders with more questions to answer during the break.
