Yardbarker
x
'We need to get that handled' – Dan Quinn addresses the concerns of a trend that cost the Commanders another tough loss
Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders lost a frustrating game against the Atlanta Falcons, and it felt way too similar to a previous loss this season.

There seems to be an early trend starting for the Commanders this season, and even head coach Dan Quinn sees a common theme in their two losses. The Commanders are undefeated at home, and look like a completely different team on the road, and that needs to change.

Commanders' road trip struggles

The Commanders look like a great team at home. They beat both the New York Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders in their two home games and have a 28-point differential at home. The road is where the struggles come in, especially on defense. Both losses have come on the road, and the defense is allowing an average of 420 yards in those two losses. Quinn sees the slow starts on the road as a real problem.

"Our two road games, we started slowly," Quinn said. "Our two home games we haven't, and we're on the road again this week. We need to get that handled, and first quarter down 10 to nothing. So got to make sure we can get that turned around and playing fast and aggressive, like we'd like. We can hit the gas early. Didn't feel that going into preparation or any of that, but the results are what they are. So we got to make sure, man, we can, we can find our edge and make sure that weighs, you know, different and feels different and feels aggressive at the start."

Having to put together a comeback early

In both losses on the road, the Commanders have gone down by double digits, and that's not easy to come back from when you're on the road, and your defense is a liability. The Packers took a 14-0 lead in the second quarter, and the Falcons went up 10-0 quickly in the first quarter.


Sep 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) runs against Washington Commanders cornerback Trey Amos (23) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. © Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The defense is a big reason for the early scoring, but the offensive playcalling early on the road has been questionable as well. The Commanders only have 13 combined first-half points on the road, and the team looks unprepared from the start.

Quinn is right, they need to handle it because they travel all the way to the West Coast this coming week to play the Los Angeles Chargers. Three of their next four games are on the road, including another primetime Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

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

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!