The Washington Commanders arrive at Week 5 with their 2026 season already teetering on the brink. At 1-3 (0-2 in their division) and with injuries having already decimated the roster (23 players were on Wednesday’s injury report), they would have a tough road back into contention even without a brutal upcoming schedule.
But with the resurgent New York Giants coming to Northwest Stadium on Sunday, followed by games against the 49ers, Eagles and Rams, it’s not hard to envision a scenario in which there are no meaningful NFL games in the nation’s capital in the deepest part of winter.
On the other hand, beat the Giants on Sunday, then steal a game or two against that gauntlet — not out of the question so long as quarterback Jayden Daniels can stay on the field — and this season is still salvageable. But that seems like a big ask for a team that is just 6-15 since the 2024 NFC Championship Game.
Here, then, is a big-picture look at where the Commanders stand:
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Offense
What has gone right: The Commanders have looked like a legitimate threat with Daniels under center, nearly stealing their season-opener at Philadelphia, then driving up and down the field at Dallas until Daniels dislocated his elbow on the final play of the first half. While veteran Marcus Mariota was a more-than-serviceable fill-in, leading the team to a (temporarily) season-saving upset of the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, he, too, was lost to an injury (strained MCL), forcing third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis into action during Washington’s loss to Indianapolis in London last week. With Daniels expected to return Sunday, the crisis at quarterback appears to be over, at least for now.
Elsewhere, third-round rookie Antonio Williams has been a revelation at wideout, catching a touchdown against the Eagles and seeing an apparent 87-yard touchdown against the Colts called back due to a penalty, while veteran Stefon Diggs (18 catches, three touchdowns) has been a solid offseason pickup (though his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in Week 1 cost the team dearly).
While the offensive line has been in flux (more below), left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. and center Lucas Patrick have been surprise standouts. The pair have combined to allow zero sacks and two hits on the quarterback, even with Patrick having not played regularly at center since 2021.
What has gone wrong: If you had been asked at the start of training camp to name the three most important figures on the Commanders’ offense, you likely would have said Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin and left tackle Laremy Tunsil. All three have already missed games due to injury, with Tunsil (torn triceps) likely out for the season. And it’s never a good sign when three different quarterbacks have finished your first four games.
In some ways, the offensive line has never recovered from the loss of Tunsil or the decision to release former Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz (or sign a suitable replacement). The resulting shuffle of personnel — Washington has started two different players at center and three different players at right guard in four weeks — has highlighted the Commanders’ lack of depth, especially after the mysterious Week 4 benching of veteran Nick Allegretti, whose replacement, sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin, was exposed at right guard by the Colts’ DeForest Buckner. Brandon Coleman, Tunsil’s replacement at left tackle, has also struggled, allowing a team-high 14 quarterback pressures so far.
In an undoubtedly related development, Commanders tight ends have been virtually invisible in the passing game, combining for just 10 catches for 65 yards through the first four games — despite the signing of veteran Chig Okonkwo this offseason. Okonkwo, who has three 50-catch seasons on his resume, has just four catches in two games, missing the Cowboys and Seahawks games with a hamstring injury. This lack of production has particularly harmed the offense on third downs, with the Commanders’ 31.6% success rate ranking 30th in the NFL.
Coming into the season, new offensive coordinator David Blough harped on generating explosive plays, defined as rushes of 10 or more yards and receptions of 20 or more yards. That just hasn’t happened through the first four games: Washington has created explosives on just 4.2% of their plays, according to Sharp Football Analysis. That’s the fourth-worst rate in the league.
What awaits: With Daniels back at quarterback and right guard Sam Cosmi (concussion) nearing his return, there is still hope the offense can regain the explosiveness it has shown at times in the first part of the season. But the defenses of the Giants, 49ers and Rams are all ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in both points and total yards allowed, and the Eagles (though they are underperforming this season) are perennially elite.
Defense
What has gone right: There have been moments of brilliance from the defense from week to week and player to player. The Commanders didn’t allow a rushing touchdown until the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor found the end zone twice in Week 4, and many of the newcomers to this unit have lived up to their hype and then some. That includes: edge rusher Odafe Oweh, who has been a constant menace to opposing quarterbacks; rookie linebacker Sonny Styles, who already has one NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor; and defensive backs Amik Robertson, Nick Cross and Rasul Douglas, who have been bright spots within their otherwise embattled unit. After failing to generate a turnover in the first two games, the defense has forced five in the past two.
What has gone wrong: The inconsistency on defense from game to game, or even quarter to quarter, has been maddening at times, as epitomized in the Week 4 loss to the Colts: Indianapolis’ first five drives went fumble, punt, punt, punt, interception; their next seven went touchdown, field goal, touchdown, field goal, punt, touchdown, field goal. Through four games, the Commanders allowed the most second-half points (17.8) in the league and were outscored 43-29 in the fourth quarter. Injuries have begun compounding, particularly at linebacker, where veterans Frankie Luvu and Leo Chenal both missed the Colts game, with the latter now on injured reserve following neck surgery.
The unit as a whole has been dangerously susceptible to big plays, which helps explain how the Commanders can rank 18th in the NFL in yards allowed per game but 30th in points allowed per game. The failure to keep opponents out of the end zone is perhaps best illustrated by the fact opposing offenses have scored touchdowns on 80% of their red zone possessions, which ranks 30th in the NFL. Cornerback Mikey Sainristil was a big part of the problem, losing his starting role after Week 2 and playing just five defensive snaps against the Colts.
What awaits: The run defense will face a particularly strong test in the coming weeks, with the Giants, 49ers, Eagles and Rams all ranking in the upper half in rushing yards per game through four games. But it will catch a break against the Giants, whose starting quarterback, Jaxson Dart, is out for the season, leaving their offense in the hands of veteran Jameis Winston. If cornerback Trey Amos (ankle) is activated from injured reserve this week, that could be a huge boost for the Commanders’ secondary.
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