3 bold predictions for rest of Commanders' season
The Washington Commanders have one bye week and six games to put something together that points to the team being on some sort of upward trajectory, leaving the season, with playoff hopes all but gone at this point.
While the franchise itself is as healthy as it's been in a long time under the guidance of Commanders managing partner Josh Harris, the roster that was once viewed as one that could compete for a Super Bowl now looks like a group that will need quite an overhaul to regain the respect it had after 2024.
Every season is a new one, no doubt, but to pretend that what happens in previous years doesn’t impact how teams are viewed in the next would be a mistake. To that end, here are three bold predictions that, should they come true, will make Washington a team worth watching the rest of the way through 2025 and one to respect entering 2026.
The Jayden Daniels Debate
There’s a debate raging in certain circles about whether or not quarterback Jayden Daniels should play again this season. After all, he has suffered three injuries, each of which sent those who have been around Commanders fans long enough to remember quarterbacks of the past into a panic attack.
Given the competitive approach that head coach Dan Quinn preaches and the organization adopts, nothing short of Harris himself demanding Daniels doesn’t see the field again in 2025 might not stop No. 5 from playing again once healthy.
A Defensive Turnaround?
In Week 11, Quinn took control of his defense, putting himself on the mic to call plays against the Miami Dolphins. The result was only 13 points surrendered in regulation and an encouraging lack of explosive plays surrendered by the Washington defense.
Some wonder if it was a one-game anomaly or a sign of changes taking root, albeit potentially too late.
One of the most encouraging things we saw out of the Commanders defense wasn’t just the scoreboard, but the fact that defenders appeared to play confidently and were consistently in position to make even the plays they sometimes unfortunately didn’t. That’s essentially what you ask for from a coordinator and play-caller.
We’re confident that trend will continue, and with the pending returns of safety Will Harris and the debut of edge defender Drake Jackson, we might even see growth out of the unit before the season comes to a close.
Finishing Strong in the Division
The best way Washington can build confidence and respect heading into the offseason, even without making the playoffs, would be to perform valiantly in the last four games of this season, all against NFC East rivals.
With two games against the Philadelphia Eagles and one each against the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, the opportunity here is to show that the Commanders aren’t too far off the first step toward being a championship contender which is competing in your own division.
Our prediction is that Washington proves that by winning three of its last four games, which would obviously include one against the Eagles.
Dolphins TE Darren Waller Sounds Off on Finally Making His Debut
Darren Waller is on the verge of playing in his first NFL game since the 2023 season when his Miami Dolphins take on the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in week four. Waller, who retired after his 2023 season with the New York Giants, came out of retirement to join the Dolphins, but hasn’t been able to suit up in a game yet as he’s worked through a hip injury.
Waller talked to the media about his potential return after a long absence from the game of football.
“It’s still a process of wrapping my head around it,” Waller said. “It’s like riding a bike a little bit, but at the same time it’s a challenge. You can’t walk out on an NFL field and expect things to be easy or expect things to be how they once were, you’ve got to earn it at all times.”
Waller was elevated to a limited participant in each practice heading into week three, but was unable to play against Buffalo. Now, with the Jets on docket, Waller is still a limited participant, but the plan is for him to take the field Monday night with a limited workload.
“The plan is playing Monday, increase my reps through the week, but limited package on Monday,” Waller said.
“I trust the plan that the coaches and the performance staff have put together for me. I believe it’s the perfect amount for me, it’s challenging but also something where I can continue to build up as the season goes along”
Waller’s Arduous Football Career
Waller has been very open about his struggles with alcohol and drug addictions, which affected him through college and his first few seasons in the NFL. The 33-year-old tight end has been in the NFL since 2015, and has been sober since 2017, after his second season in the NFL. He missed the entire 2017 season before joining the Raiders in 2018.
His career exploded in 2019 when he caught 90 passes for 1,145 yards, which led him to two more strong seasons with Las Vegas before injuries started to pile up in 2022 and 2023, eventually leading to his retirement.
Now, finally at the tail end of his hip ailment, Waller is ready to take the field in the NFL for the first time in nearly two years.
“It’s been a process that’s been a lot longer than I would’ve liked, people with the team would’ve liked,” Waller said. “Got to deal with the reality of a situation like this rather than what I wish it could’ve been. Grateful to still have the opportunity to play in a football game on Monday, looking forward to it.”
Dolphins and Jets Battle For First Win
Miami and New York will both enter Monday night’s game at 0-3, neither team having produced the start to the season they were looking for. One team will be able to grab momentum moving forward after Monday night, while the other may be looking towards 2026 after an 0-4 start.
The weight and importance of the game isn’t lost on Waller just because it’s his return to the NFL.
“I think it’s football at it’s purest form,” Waller said. “You’ve got two teams that are in the position that we’re in, nothing matters but getting a win.”
Waller’s role may be limited, but just having a tight end of his caliber on the field will help Miami, as they’ve gotten next to nothing from their two other tight ends Tanner Conner and Julian Hill, who have a combined four receptions through three weeks.
