Locked On Commanders Hit - Quick Takes on the Washington Commanders

Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis fought hard after Marcus Mariota went down, but with injuries piling up and key players like Terry McLaurin and Sam Cosmi sidelined, the offense sputtered and failed to find a rhythm. Could Jayden Daniels make his highly anticipated return against the surging Giants and turn their season around?

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Here are my PLAYERS TO WATCH for Week 4: 

OFFENSE:

Antonio Williams — A big opportunity to make an impact in the passing game

Jacory Croskey-Merritt — Take advantage of a favorable matchup and get Washington's rushing attack going

Chig Okonkwo — Make an impact in his return to the lineup

Sonny Styles — Build on an incredible Week 3 performance against a dangerous Colts rushing attack

Javon Kinlaw — Help Washington control the line of scrimmage and contain Jonathan Taylor

Amik Robertson — Continue his strong start in Washington's secondary

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Indianapolis has struggled to stop the run this season, creating a HUGE opportunity for Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Washington's ground game to finally deliver a statement performance.

Can the Commanders attack one of the Colts' biggest weaknesses and take some pressure off whoever starts at quarterback?

Daniels Jones has had some big performances against the Commanders in the past, and now Washington has to deal with him AND Jonathan Taylor in London.

Can the Commanders finally contain Jones and slow down one of the NFL's most dangerous running backs?
 

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Can the rookie linebacker keep electrifying the defense and help slow down one of the league’s most dynamic running backs? This episode discusses the Styles-Taylor matchup and two other key battles in the Commanders-Colts game this Sunday.

PLUS: Injury updates on Jayden Daniels, Frankie Luvu, and Chig Okonkwo could tilt the scales, with lineup decisions hanging in the balance ahead of NFL Week 4. 

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The rookie was EVERYWHERE — recording an interception, forcing a fumble, breaking up two passes, and helping lead a Commanders defense that finally created the turnovers it desperately needed.

And Styles isn't just making plays. With Frankie Luvu sidelined, he's taken on the green dot and the responsibility of communicating Washington's defensive calls.

Now Luvu is getting closer to returning, and I can't wait to see these two back on the field together.

But that creates an interesting question: When Luvu returns, does the veteran immediately take back the green dot? Or has Styles shown enough for Washington to keep the defensive play-calling responsibilities with its rookie?

Either way, the Commanders might have something SPECIAL brewing at linebacker.

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Washington pulled off a MASSIVE upset in Week 3, but a loss to Indianapolis in London would erase a lot of that momentum.

Can Washington build on its biggest win of the season and put together back-to-back victories?

PLUS — WHO STARTS AT QUARTERBACK?

Jayden Daniels made the trip to London and is back on the practice field. I'm still leaning toward Marcus Mariota getting another start, but the Commanders have left the door open for JD5 to potentially return against Indianapolis.

Should Washington bring Daniels back if he's cleared? Or should Mariota get another start after leading the upset over Seattle?

Week 4 could tell us A LOT about where this Commanders season is heading.

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I still don't expect Daniels to play against Indianapolis, but if he continues progressing, could a Week 5 return against the Giants be on the table?

We'll break down the latest on Daniels, the possibility of him playing with a brace, and the questions that remain about how Washington handles its franchise quarterback moving forward.

PLUS — what is going on with Mike Sainristil?

After entering the season as one of Washington's most important young defensive backs, Sainristil has struggled badly through three weeks and currently sits at the bottom of PFF's qualified cornerback rankings.

Is this just a rough start, or should the Commanders be seriously concerned about Sainristil?

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Can Washington’s defense contain Jonathan Taylor and force the Indianapolis Colts to rely on their less explosive receiving corps?

The Commanders’ run defense has impressed, ranking top-three in fewest yards allowed, and the inconsistent Colts defense could open the door for Washington's offense to capitalize. With the series dating back to the old Baltimore-Washington Beltway battles, will the Commanders finally snap their international drought and build momentum, or will Indy’s recent dominance in the series continue?

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Marcus Mariota’s clutch performance under pressure and the defense’s ability to force key turnovers—including Kain Medrano’s pivotal pick-six—turned the tide against a more talented Seattle roster. With Jayden Daniels sidelined, questions swirl: can the Commanders build momentum and capitalize on this win as they head to London to face the Colts, and soon after, a weakened Giants squad missing Jaxson Dart?

Austin Ekeler returns to Washington’s backfield, raising questions about his fit alongside Jacory Crosky-Merritt and Rachaad White following his Achilles injury. Across the NFC East, the New York Giants add JJ McCarthy, sparking debate over Jameis Winston’s future as starter. Will McCarthy provide a much-needed spark and alter the balance of upcoming division clashes? The NFC East landscape is shifting, and every game now matters more than ever.

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Mariota’s late-game confidence—highlighted by a gutsy throw to Terry McLaurin and a game-sealing run—showed why he’s an ideal backup quarterback and helped Washington secure a crucial victory.

On defense, rookie Sonny Styles dominated, playing a pivotal role in all three turnovers. With the Indianapolis Colts up next, can Washington turn this upset into a winning streak?

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