The Washington Commanders ended their condemnation with a 29-21 victory against the New York Giants on Sunday. This victory is a huge inflection point in their otherwise bleak season. The team had just recently lived through a brutal stretch of defeats. Their excitement was palpable as they celebrated a long-awaited franchise victory in FedExField. This win propelled the Commanders’ record to 4-10. From this win the fire of hope ignites that this season could bring a lot more—let’s go!
After the game, interim defensive coordinator Dan Quinn urged his players to enjoy the fruits of their hard-earned victory. He understood the need to bask in the fleeting moment of glory in the midst of a trying term. “There’s nothing like the feeling of a winning locker room,” Quinn expressed, emphasizing the significance of camaraderie in sports.
Quinn took over for Joe Whitt Jr. four games ago, as he relieved Whitt of play-calling duties on a mid-season Thursday. The move was intended to shake up the team’s overall defensive approach, which had floundered all season long. Quinn admitted it’s been a difficult road for his young squad but was excited about the direction his program is headed in. “This has been hard going through this process together,” he stated.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had an immeasurable impact and a phenomenal game to go along with it, ending with 96 rushing yards. He added a 16-yard touchdown on a career-high 18 totes. His efforts contributed significantly to the team’s success, showcasing the potential of the Commanders’ offense. Jaylin Lane made history, becoming the first player to return a punt 63 yards for a touchdown. He is the first Washington player since Brian Mitchell in 1994 to have two punt returns for a touchdown in a season.
The special teams unit played a crucial role in the victory, with Jake Moody successfully booting three field goals. His service knowledge inspired many of the ideas that scored the most valuable touchdowns. This went a long way toward proving the win’s legitimacy and taking pressure off the team.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota reflected on the challenges faced during their losing streak, stating, “It’s hard to go two months without winning a football game.” As you can imagine, his sentiment struck a chord with countless players who had been on the receiving end of constant losses.
Looking ahead, the Commanders know that even more drastic changes are on the way during the upcoming offseason. With only 34 players signed for 2026 and potential cap space exceeding $100 million, management faces critical decisions regarding team structure and player acquisitions. These changes could have a major effect on the course of the franchise in the long term.
As a veteran wide receiver, Terry McLaurin knows that it all starts with doubling down on this notable win. “I have never felt that from this locker room, and it is a testament to the leaders that we have,” he noted. McLaurin, for his part, celebrated the victory, but noted that it will take more than one good effort to make up for past shortcomings. When you finally come down and you get a win — in whatever small form — it’s an addictive feeling. When you lose, it sucks; more so as largely as we have lost. But hey, we won — and we’re definitely going to savor that victory.
Defensive back Jeremy Reaves expressed these sentiments as well, saying it felt good to finally get the monkey off their backs. “It definitely feels good but there’s a lot of thought of why we couldn’t do this earlier,” he said.
The Commanders have harbored great glee at their triumph over the Giants. They remain narrowly focused on their short-term objectives and refuse to consider long-term unknowns. Bobby Wagner stated, “We’re not trying to think about next season,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum as they prepare for their next matchup.
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