When the Washington Commanders took the field in 2024, they were the feel-good story of the NFL — a 12-5 team that ended a 33-year playoff drought and reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991. But now, just one year later, they’re clinging to playoff relevance at 3-4, third in the NFC East, and staring down a must-win stretch without their franchise quarterback. Jayden Daniels, the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, won’t play Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium — his third straight game sidelined by a stubborn ankle injury. The stakes? Everything.
From NFC Title Contenders to Third Place
Last season, Washington’s rise was meteoric. They won 12 games, earned five primetime slots, and became the talk of the league. This year? The magic has vanished. A tougher schedule, a leaky defense, and a cascade of injuries have turned optimism into anxiety. Their 27.3 points allowed per game in 2025 is a full 5.5 points higher than last year’s 21.8. That’s not just regression — it’s collapse. The turning point? Week 5 against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Up 24-22 with 3:10 left, the Commanders had the ball at Chicago’s 40-yard line, poised to seal the win. Then came the botched handoff between Daniels and Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The Bears recovered. They ran out the clock. Cairo Santos kicked a 38-yard field goal. The loss stung. But it got worse: kicker Zane Gonzalez’s 50-yard attempt clanged off the left upright — a cruel mirror of his 2024 playoff heroics, when a similar kick hit the post and bounced through for the win against Tampa Bay. Luck had turned.Daniels’ Injury: A Team in Limbo
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, citing team sources, said Daniels’ injury “looked terrible when it originally happened,” but added, “there is optimism he can go as soon as next week.” That means a potential return against the Seattle Seahawks on November 3 — if medical staff, led by head physician Dr. Wiemi Douoguih, clear him. But for now, Washington’s offense is stuck in neutral. Backup Taylor Heinicke, a journeyman with limited mobility, has struggled to move the chains. The offensive line, already shaky, has looked even more vulnerable without Daniels’ elusiveness. Opposing defenses are daring Washington to throw — and they’re succeeding. Meanwhile, other NFL quarterbacks are also sidelined. San Francisco’s Brock Purdy is battling turf toe. Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. can’t plant his leg. Carolina’s Bryce Young showed promise Friday, running straight ahead — but side-to-side movements remain a question mark. The league’s injury epidemic isn’t just Washington’s problem. But for them, it’s the difference between a playoff run and another winter of disappointment.Reaves’ Words: The Team’s New Mantra
“We understand what winning looks like now,” said Reaves, a key defensive player for Washington. “Last year showed me what it feels like to win — and that s--- is fun. I’m not trying to take 10 steps forward to go five steps back.” That quote isn’t just locker room noise. It’s the emotional core of a team fighting to reclaim its identity. The Commanders aren’t just chasing wins — they’re chasing the feeling they had last season. The roar of Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The confidence of a unit that trusted each other. The belief that they belonged among the elite.
The Road Ahead: A Gauntlet of Tough Games
After Monday night’s showdown with the Chiefs (4-3), Washington faces the Seahawks (Week 8), then the Detroit Lions (Week 9). All three opponents are either playoff-caliber or surging. The NFC East standings as of October 27, 2025, show the Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) leading, the Dallas Cowboys (4-3) tied for second, and Washington (3-4) clinging to third. The Giants are dead last at 2-5. The math is brutal: Washington needs to win at least seven of their final 10 games just to sniff a wild-card spot. And without Daniels, that’s a mountain.Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
This isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about identity. The Commanders’ 2024 season reignited a fanbase that had endured decades of mediocrity. An estimated 6.3 million fans across Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. invested emotionally — and financially. Lost primetime revenue? Roughly $12 million per game in broadcast income, according to NFL models. Merchandise sales? Plummeting. Playoff appearances? A distant dream. And then there’s the legacy of head coach Dan Quinn. Once lauded for turning around the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks, Quinn now faces mounting pressure. His defense, once a strength, is the team’s Achilles’ heel. If Washington misses the playoffs again, questions about his scheme, his personnel decisions, and his ability to adapt will grow louder.
What’s Next?
Daniels’ workouts on October 27–28, 2025, will be closely monitored. If he can cut, pivot, and throw without pain, a Week 8 return is plausible. But if he’s still limited, Washington may have to rely on Heinicke — and hope for a miracle. The team’s medical staff will make the final call. But the clock is ticking.Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jayden Daniels’ absence impact Washington’s playoff chances?
Without Daniels, Washington’s offense has lost its most dynamic element — his ability to extend plays and make defenders miss. The team’s scoring has dropped by nearly 7 points per game since his injury. To make the playoffs, they need to win at least 7 of their final 10 games, but with backup Taylor Heinicke under center, their win probability in tough matchups like Kansas City, Seattle, and Detroit drops below 30% per game.
Why is the Commanders’ defense performing so poorly in 2025?
The defense allowed just 21.8 points per game in 2024 but has jumped to 27.3 in 2025. Opponents are exploiting gaps in the secondary, especially when the offense stalls and forces the defense to stay on the field. Injuries to key linebackers and inconsistent pass rush have also contributed. The unit lacks the same pressure and discipline that defined last year’s top-10 ranking.
What’s the significance of Washington’s 2024 NFC Championship appearance?
It was the franchise’s first NFC Championship Game since 1991 — ending a 33-year drought. That run rekindled hope for a fanbase that had seen only two winning seasons since 2000. The team’s 12-5 record was its best since 1991. Now, with a 3-4 start, the fear is that 2024 was a fluke — and that the franchise may be stuck in mediocrity again.
Could Washington still make the playoffs even without Daniels?
It’s unlikely, but not impossible. If they win all their home games (including against Seattle and Detroit) and steal a road win — say, against a struggling Giants team — they could sneak in with an 8-9 record. But the NFC is deep. Only the top six teams make the playoffs, and with five teams currently at 3+ wins, Washington would need a miracle run and help from other results.
How does this compare to past Commanders collapses?
The 2007 team went from 9-7 to 5-11 the next year after a playoff run. The 2012 team, which reached the NFC Championship, fell to 3-13 in 2013. Both collapses followed similar patterns: overreliance on a few stars, defensive regression, and poor depth. This year’s team echoes those eras — especially in how quickly momentum vanished after a single bad bounce.
When will we know if Jayden Daniels returns for Week 8?
The team will make a final decision by Thursday, November 1, 2025, after Daniels completes full-contact drills and medical clearance. Head physician Dr. Wiemi Douoguih and head coach Dan Quinn will jointly evaluate his mobility, pain levels, and throwing mechanics. If he can’t cut or throw with full velocity by then, he’ll likely be ruled out for Week 8 as well.
