One unexpected player will be the X-factor for the Commanders to get a victory over Chiefs on Monday Night Football

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Josh Taylor | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 1:13 PM ET

The Washington Commanders are heading into a matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football to shock the world and get back on track this season.

Beating Patrick Mahomes under the light in his own house is no easy task, and the Commanders need players to step up to have a shot as major underdogs. Marcus Mariota is getting the start with Jayden Daniels out due to a hamstring injury, and he's getting help on offense with Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel also back full-time.

The team will lean on the offense, with the defense being the biggest struggle this season, and one player will decide the outcome of this game, and it's not who you think it is.

Bill Croskey-Merritt will decide the game

Of course, the defense needs to get stops and turnovers, but that's not much of a guarantee at this point. The best way to keep Mahomes out of the endzone is by keeping the ball away from him. Bill Croskey-Merritt has the opportunity to make a real name for himself again in primetime after a slower last few weeks.

Despite a step back in production over the last two weeks, the Commanders are still the second-best rushing team in the league, as they average 149 yards on the ground per game. Croskey-Merritt has a matchup against the Chiefs' defense that allows the seventh most fantasy points the running backs this season, but they've been much improved lately.

Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo on Jacory Croskey-Merritt, via @goldmctNFL:

"This No. 22 that has jumped onto the scene is really, really good."

The Chiefs are allowing the 7th-most fantasy points to RBs this season… Bounce-back spot for Bill? pic.twitter.com/5nmqXedrXF
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) October 24, 2025

The Chiefs' defense has been lights out against the run lately

The Chiefs are allowing 105 yards on the ground per game this season, but they also haven't allowed a rushing touchdown by a running back since Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens. They held the Detroit Lions to just 98 rushing yards two weeks ago, which is impressive, so it won't be an easy task, but the Commanders need to stick to it.

You have to worry about Chris Jones up front disrupting plays all night, so the offensive line needs to do its job and open up the lanes in the run game. Relying on the defense to get stops is asking for too much this season, so feed the rookie in the run game, let the clock grind out all game, and keep Mahomes off the field at all costs. I'm not saying it's impossible, but the Commanders need to play a perfect game to head back home with a win.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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