John Keim
MADRID — This isn't the Washington Commanders crew Spain thought it will be getting. That is additionally not the Commanders crew the group thought it will be taking abroad.
However that is the place the Commanders are getting into Sunday's sport towards the Miami Dolphins (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Community): 3-7, losers of 5 straight, ravaged by accidents and having misplaced their previous 4 video games by a mixed 89 factors. They're considered one of three groups prior to now 35 years to have misplaced 4 consecutive video games by 20 or extra factors, per ESPN Analysis.
“It's a must to be sincere,” quarterback Marcus Mariota mentioned, “and I do not suppose we're who we expect we're.”
They thought, after a 12-5 season in 2024, they'd at the very least be playoff contenders. That they had quarterback Jayden Daniels, some of the thrilling — and marketable — gamers within the sport. And due to him, one of many league's most dynamic offenses.
That is why the NFL wished Washington to play in considered one of its worldwide video games. Solely two years after Dan Snyder bought the franchise to Josh Harris, the crew had turn into in style once more.
Now the Commanders are with out Daniels — who sustained a dislocated left elbow on Nov. 2 — and are taking part in their manner right into a top-10 choose, perhaps even a top-five choose if they can not flip it round.
As soon as extra, Mariota, who has stepped in to switch Daniels, opted to not duck the state of the crew. After Sunday's 44-22 loss to Detroit, Mariota was requested how far they have been from being the crew they anticipated.
“It is an awesome query,” he mentioned. “I do not really feel we're shut.”
He emphasised he hasn't misplaced religion based mostly on how he has seen his teammates reply to adversity. Nevertheless, it hasn't translated to any stage of success. The Commanders beat the Los Angeles Chargers 27-10 on the highway on Oct. 5. That day, they overcame an early 10-point deficit and — for one half — seemed just like the crew they have been anticipated to be.
Since then, it has been both heartbreak … or heartburn. It began with a last-second loss to Chicago, adopted by 4 consecutive blowouts.
One yr in the past, Washington punter Tress Means had two video games through which he did not punt and three others through which he punted solely as soon as. This season, it is the protection that does not see the opposing punter. Over the previous three video games, Washington's opponents have punted a mixed 4 occasions.
“A step ahead after which two steps backwards,” coach Dan Quinn mentioned of the protection this season. “It isn't what we wish and that is an enormous a part of us. The id and play fashion and all of it.”
The Commanders have allowed 154 factors over the previous 4 video games — probably the most they've allowed over a four-game stretch since 1954.
“I perceive we're not the place we need to be on this second,” Washington linebacker Bobby Wagner mentioned. “It is irritating. We do not need to be on this scenario. It is on us to get ourselves out. We will not look again on the previous and discuss what ought to have been or what may have been.”
Do not anticipate Wagner to show a visit to Madrid right into a sightseeing tour.
“We have to get a win,” he mentioned. “That ought to be all of our focus. We'll Madrid; I am certain it is a phenomenal metropolis, however who cares? We play a soccer sport there, and now we have to win. That is my factor: Do not get caught up in the place we're at as a result of it is going to have an effect on the place we're at.”
And the place they're at is a spot the group hoped it had left in its rearview mirror after 2024.
Accidents have been a serious storyline all season for the Commanders, who misplaced their beginning defensive ends — Deatrich Clever Jr. and Dorance Armstrong — to season-ending accidents. Beginning corners Marshon Lattimore (torn ACL) and Trey Amos (fractured fibula) are out. Beginning security Will Harris (fibula) stays on injured reserve. Topping it off this week: Defensive deal with Daron Payne was suspended one sport after being ejected for punching Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown on Sunday.
After which there's the offense. Daniels has not been dominated out for the season however is sidelined indefinitely and has missed 4 video games and counting. Receiver Terry McLaurin (quad) will not play in Madrid, marking the seventh sport he can have missed. Working again Austin Ekeler tore an Achilles in Week 2 and is finished for the season.
McLaurin, Brown and Ekeler mixed for 152 catches, 1,915 yards and 14 touchdowns (13 by McLaurin) in 2024. They've mixed for 21 catches, 277 yards and one landing this season.
However dropping video games within the method they've has stung extra. They have been 8-4 in one-score video games final season and misplaced just one regular-season sport by double digits. This yr, they're 0-2 in one-score video games and have misplaced 4 by double digits. They have not been within the lead for the reason that fourth quarter of their Week 6 loss to Chicago.
“It is irritating,” linebacker Frankie Luvu mentioned, “however I do not know what to say.”
Final yr, Washington's gamers typically spoke of their tight bond — beginning with spring practices. It strengthened because the Commanders traveled for joint practices towards the Jets and Dolphins.
Then, after a Week 3 Monday evening sport in Cincinnati, the Commanders spent the week in Arizona earlier than a sport vs. the Cardinals. Quinn typically talked about how a lot that point cemented these bonds. A detailed group grew nearer, paving the best way for a particular run.
Now they're hoping every week away collectively may also help salvage their season. That is why, when requested after Sunday's loss whether or not this journey was coming at a foul time, Quinn mentioned it was “simply the other.”
“Generally once you're going via it you want everyone collectively,” he mentioned. “You discuss it and what is the factor you are able to do higher. And all of us begin collectively pondering that manner collectively. It forces you to try this.”
There are reminders right here of what Washington is lacking: small promotional banners cling from gentle posts that includes Daniels, who spent every week in France this offseason selling the worldwide video games.
However they can not fear about that now.
“It is a good alternative for us to determine who we're and who we need to be,” Mariota mentioned, “and simply to get this factor proper.
“We now have the motivation, the dedication to get this proper. However we're operating out of video games, and we're operating out of time.”
