After a heartbreaking 34-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, the Washington Commanders' losing streak increased to three games.
The Commanders were outplayed by a well-below-average Cowboys team, and it is by far their worst loss of the season. After a phenomenal 7-2 start to the season, Washington now sits at 7-5, wondering if it is a legit threat to make it into the postseason.
Washington has gotten away from one aspect of its offense that was leading to success during the first nine weeks of the season, and that one aspect is the rushing attack.
Early on in the season, Washington had what was maybe the best rushing attack in the NFL. Through five games, the Commanders had 13 rushing touchdowns, which was five more than any team in the league.
.@Commanders @JeremyMcNichols just ran for his 3rd TD in 2 weeks. No one finishes drives better than Washington
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 8, 2024
Rushing TD's Scored through 5 weeks
1. @Commanders 13
2. @ravens 8
2. @saints 8@BuffaloBills 8@Lions 7
Its just a stat...but there will be teams who dont rush for… pic.twitter.com/zLsc6BALaL
Washington has slowly gotten away from that, as it only has 20 total team rushing touchdowns after Week 12, something that is very alarming.
Injury concerns have certainly been a part of the decrease in production in the running game. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. has missed three games, as well as leaving Sunday's loss in the first quarter with an ankle injury.
Jayden Daniels is the team's leading rusher, but his production has decreased since the hip injury that kept him out of the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers. Daniels scored his first rushing touchdown since Week 4 on Sunday.
Jayden Daniels take it in for a 17-yard rushing TD
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
: #DALvsWAS on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Rl99tcI9Cy
The rushing yards per game is something to make note of as well. For the season, Washington ranks fifth in rushing yards per game (147.8), but over the last three weeks, it is averaging well below that number (99.3), which ranks 19th over that three-game stretch.
Another factor that could play a part in the three-game losing skid for Washington is that the team has not yet had its bye week. Washington will not have its bye week until Week 14, marking the third straight season in which the Commanders have been given the last bye week.
A Week 13 matchup against the 3-8 Tennessee Titans will be a chance for the Commanders to bounce back and find their identity before heading into a much-needed bye week.
A loss to Tennessee would put immense pressure on head coach Dan Quinn to rally the troops and figure out what his team needs to fix over the final four games of the season.
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