Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels have enjoyed a promising start to their careers with the Washington Commanders, but as they face the Tennessee Titans in Week 13, they find themselves confronting their first real crisis. The team is in the midst of a three-game losing streak, and while they’re still in playoff contention, a failure to correct their course quickly could see their postseason hopes—and Daniels’ once-assured NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year bid—slip away.
The losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles weren’t catastrophic, merely signaling that the Commanders aren’t quite ready to challenge the league’s elite. However, a home loss to a Dallas Cowboys team missing their starting quarterback raised major concerns. Prior to that, the Commanders had beaten teams they were expected to beat, including the Titans, who now present a more dangerous challenge than initially thought.
Despite a dismal 2-8 record heading into last week, the Titans pulled off a surprising win over the division-leading Houston Texans, marking their first back-to-back wins since 2022. Tennessee will look to build momentum from that victory, while Washington urgently needs a win to stay in the wild card race. A loss to the Titans would further derail a season that had once shown promise.
For the Commanders to win, these three challenges must be addressed:
1. Disrupting Will Levis’ Rhythm
Tennessee’s quarterback, Will Levis, is still a work in progress, but he’s been improving. He’s been sacked frequently, much like Sam Howell earlier this season, but has shown resilience, continuing to make big throws despite the pressure. In last week’s win, Levis was sacked eight times yet still managed to connect with wide receiver Calvin Ridley for significant plays. Washington’s defense must rattle Levis early to prevent him from hitting deep shots that could expose weaknesses in their secondary.
2. Containing Tony Pollard
Tennessee’s offense has leaned heavily on running back Tony Pollard, who’s been a major contributor, especially in their wins. In three victories, he’s averaged over 110 yards rushing per game. Washington’s run defense has been a weak point, allowing over 150 rushing yards per game in the last month. If Pollard is allowed to gain ground, it will open up more opportunities for Levis to throw downfield. Stopping the run will be key to controlling the Titans’ offense.
3. Commanders’ Offensive Line Must Step Up
The Commanders’ offensive line has been struggling in recent weeks, with quarterback Jayden Daniels and running back Brian Robinson Jr. both affected by pressure and injuries. The line was overwhelmed by Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and even a weaker Dallas front seven caused issues. This week, they’ll face a tough Tennessee defensive front, led by standout interior lineman Jeffery Simmons and rookie nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat. Edge rushers Harold Landry III and Arden Key will also pose significant threats. For the Commanders to succeed, their offensive line needs to rise to the occasion and provide Daniels with time to execute their game plan.