2 winners (and 5 losers) from Commanders' disgusting loss at the Cowboys

The Washington Commanders had to get this one. Their fortunes were hanging in the balance at 3-3 with a tricky schedule upcoming. What followed against the Dallas Cowboys was a humiliation that reopened old wounds.

Washington was never in the game. They might have taken the lead briefly earlier in the contest, but this was a one-sided affair from a long way out. Nothing went right, more injury problems surfaced, and the Commanders didn't have the schematic adjustments or personnel to get things trending in the right direction.

Dallas put 44 points on the Commanders, and it could have been a lot worse. This leaves Dan Quinn's squad at 3-4 with games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions upcoming. There is a very real danger they could be staring down the barrel of a 3-7 record before their trip to Spain to take on the Miami Dolphins.

This is not how fans thought the season would go. The Commanders were widely expected to be among the Super Bowl challengers after another aggressive offseason from general manager Adam Peters. That seems like a long way off, and there is just no telling where this organization goes from here.

That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are two winners and five losers from Washington's embarrassing defeat at AT&T Stadium.

Winners and losers from the Commanders' disgusting Week 7 loss at the Cowboys

Loser No. 1

Commanders' offensive line

The Washington Commanders' offensive line was back to being full strength thanks to the return of stud right guard Sam Cosmi. This also represented a huge opportunity to set the tone against a Dallas Cowboys defensive front that had been dominated by almost everybody through the opening six weeks of the campaign.

They crumbled at the worst possible time. Dallas seized the initiative early on, and the Commanders had no answer. Matt Eberflus knew there was nothing much to concern his defense in the passing game, so he played more man coverage and sent more from the front seven to attack quarterback Jayden Daniels. It had the desired effect.

The Commanders could not establish the run. Daniels was scrambling throughout, and he was eventually undone by a sack fumble that saw the signal-caller go out of the game with a hamstring complication.

Adam Peters invested heavily in the trenches this offseason. But if they keep coming up short like this during some tough-looking battles in the coming weeks, this season has the potential to completely spiral.

Loser No. 2

Quan Martin - Commanders S

Most Washington Commanders fans were anticipating a legitimate breakout campaign from Quan Martin this season. The talented safety was thrust into the No. 1 role after Adam Peters let Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency, and hopes were high that this could ignite the spark to propel him to even greater heights.

That hasn't materialized. Martin is struggling to find his identity as the alpha dog on the backend. His weaknesses are being exposed, which center on missed tackles, poor eye discipline, and a lack of conviction in open space.

It's a dangerous combination that the Cowboys had no trouble taking advantage of.

The comical collision with veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore was a microcosm of how things are unfolding for the Commanders, both on the day and through the opening seven weeks of the 2025 campaign. Martin looked like a possible extension candidate ahead of time heading into the season. Now, that couldn't be further from anyone's mind, and a rousing effort is needed to remind the world why he was such a highly touted college recruit coming out of Illinois.

Winner No. 1

Robbie Chosen - Commanders WR

It was an afternoon were very few positives came to the fore. Nothing clicked, and the Commanders were always chasing the contest. Some extreme soul-searching is needed to prevent this season from spiraling into the proverbial abyss when much more was expected.

In difficult circumstances, there was a lot to like about Robbie Chosen's production. The veteran wide receiver was elevated from the practice squad despite only joining the franchise last week. Dan Quinn was confident he could make an impact, and that proved the be the case.

Chosen's route-running looked sharp. He made one tough catch late in proceedings, and he was always fighting for extra yardage. Dallas' defenders swarmed him often, but it represented a positive step for someone who's struggled to catch on anywhere in recent years.

While three receptions from four targets for 36 receiving yards isn't exactly mind-blowing, the effort and athleticism displayed by Chosen were encouraging. But like I said, it was tough to find pluses from the contest.

Loser No. 3

Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DT

There was a heap of blame to go around on the defensive side of the football. Almost nobody met expectations as the Commanders collapsed to yet another demoralizing loss. However, some are held to a higher standard than others.

Javon Kinlaw is among them. The Commanders gave the interior defensive lineman more money than almost anyone anticipated this offseason. He started the campaign well, but the alarm bells are ringing after his second subpar performance in succession.

As Daron Payne thrived alongside him, Kinlaw fell by the wayside. He was pushed off his spot far too frequently by the Cowboys's offensive line, which completely negated the strengths he brings to the table. The South Carolina product is not the most mobile in pursuit, and this was exposed in no uncertain terms.

Kinlaw finished the game with one tackle and not much else. It was an anonymous display that only raises concerns about whether the Commanders are going to get a long-term return on their investment.

Loser No. 4

Marshon Lattimore - Commanders CB

Marshon Lattimore came to the Washington Commanders with a big reputation. Adam Peters thought this could be the shutdown coverage presence his defense needed to take the next step, giving up significant assets for the cornerback before the 2024 trade deadline. It has been an unmitigated disaster ever since.

Lattimore is not the force of old. He's incapable of tracking the ball effectively, and the technical prowess that made him one of the game's best once upon a time is long gone. Opposing teams actively target him, and they have a great deal of success doing it.

The Dallas Cowboys knew Lattimore was a weak link. He got burned for several big plays downfield. There were more frustrating defensive pass interference penalties in critical moments. It was another embarrassing effort, and the Commanders need to think long and hard about what comes next with the former Ohio State standout.

He's a liability that cannot be trusted. And the Commanders should seriously consider taking Lattimore out of the firing line.

Winner No. 2

Daron Payne - Commanders DT

As previously mentioned, there were one or two shining lights amid the doom and gloom at AT&T Stadium. Once again, the performance of Daron Payne was among them.

The formidable defensive tackle is in the midst of a sensational campaign. There's something about a contract incentive that brings Payne to life, and he was nothing short of relentless in the defensive trenches as all around him seemingly crumbled.

Dallas had no answer for Payne's explosiveness off the snap and his ability to push the pile. The former Alabama game-wrecker finished the contest with five tackles, one quarterback hit, one tackle for loss, and no fewer than three pass breakups, which was nothing short of astonishing in the circumstances. He also blew up a run play for a safety.

On an afternoon where Washington's defensive frailties became more glaring than ever, Payne was an undoubted standout. If the same trend continues, the Commanders would be wise to reward him with a new deal.

Loser No. 5

Joe Whitt Jr. - Commanders DC

The Commanders’ defense is having the same problems week after week. And coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. doesn’t have the nuance to make the changes needed to turn the tide. 

This has been the tale of the tape. Whitt will protect his veteran players while keeping younger, more dynamic individuals on the sidelines. He cites that they don’t know what they are looking at, or those with more experience are having a bigger impact than the game suggests. However, these excuses are starting to wear thin. 

Washington started by conceding a quick opening drive touchdown against the Cowboys, which set the tone for their entire afternoon. Whitt couldn’t adjust and didn’t have the conviction to take some players out when they were clearly struggling to cope against Dallas’ high-octane offense. It was a complete embarrassment, and it should serve as a wake-up call to Dan Quinn regarding what needs to be done. 

Either Whitt figures it out, or the Commanders should find someone who can. Because what’s unfolding right now is completely unacceptable.