The Washington Commanders’ outlook went from dire to hopeful pretty quickly.
asserted
outlook → go → hopeful
It’s amazing what a few well-timed turnovers can do.
asserted
turnovers → ’ → what
If Washington fans had forgotten, it’s hard to blame them.
asserted
it → forget → them
The Commanders had only 10 takeaways all of last season, the second fewest in the NFL.
asserted
Commanders → have → NFL
Through the first two weeks in 2026, they had zero.
asserted
they → have → zero
Then an early fumble and two interceptions lifted them to a 33-31 win over defending champion Seattle on Sunday.
asserted
fumble → lift → Sunday
“We’ve got a wall, big wall outside of my office for takeaways.
asserted
We → get → takeaways
For two weeks, it has been empty and devastatingly empty,” coach Dan Quinn said.
asserted
Quinn → say → weeks
“To have some that get filled up onto that was a big deal.”
asserted
that → fill → that
With Jayden Daniels out with an elbow injury, Marcus Mariota stepped in and threw three touchdown passes.
asserted
Mariota → step → passes
Two of those came after turnovers gave Washington a short field.
asserted
turnovers → come → field
The final turnover led even more directly to a touchdown when Kain Medrano picked off Sam Darnold’s pass and returned it 50 yards to the end zone.
asserted
Medrano → lead → zone
That gave the Commanders a nine-point lead late in the fourth quarter.
asserted
That → give → quarter
They were able to hold on.
asserted
They → hold → ?
After avoiding an 0-3 start, Washington now heads to London to face Indianapolis.
asserted
Washington → avoid → Indianapolis
After that, the Commanders host the New York Giants.
asserted
Commanders → host → Giants
It’s certainly possible for Washington to stay afloat until Daniels returns, and Quinn said Monday the star quarterback will practice in some fashion this week.
asserted
quarterback → ’ → fashion
What’s working
The defense is playing well against the run, having allowed 3.8 yards per carry through three games.
asserted
defense → work → games
Opponents have only 10 rushing first downs against Washington so far.
asserted
Opponents → have → Washington
“It was a good win because we had to earn it all the way down to the last drive.
asserted
we → have → drive
Had to earn it,” rookie linebacker Sonny Styles said.
asserted
Styles → have → it
“Got a lot of bodies down, some guys having to step up all over the place.
asserted
guys → get → place
I think that says a lot about the team.”
asserted
that → think → team
What needs help
Scoring touchdowns is only half the battle for the Commanders, who have now twice been hit with crucial penalties during post-TD celebrations.
asserted
who → need → celebrations
Stefon Diggs cost them a chance to go for a 2-point conversion in the season opener when he jumped into the goal post.
asserted
he → cost → post
On Sunday, Washington was hit with a 15-yard penalty after Medrano’s touchdown.
asserted
Washington → hit → touchdown
That pushed the extra point back, and when it was missed, the vibe of the final few minutes changed dramatically.
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vibe → push → minutes
“It was a player on the field that was not in uniform, which resulted in the 48-yard extra point and miss of that.
asserted
which → result → that
And you can imagine my thrill with that,” Quinn said.
asserted
Quinn → imagine → that
“So, we had a good discussion about that in the meeting today.”
asserted
we → have → meeting
Stock up
Terry McLaurin had one of his best games since the start of last season, catching six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.
asserted
McLaurin → have → yards
He made a nice adjustment to haul in a 30-yard TD pass from Mariota that gave Washington a 14-point lead in the second half.
asserted
that → make → half
“I love playing at home, I love hearing the ‘Terry’ chant.
asserted
I → play → chant
So that was unbelievable to see the crowd packed in a rainy game,” McLaurin said.
asserted
McLaurin → see → game
“It wasn’t pretty, but we earned that one, and I think that’s what sets the tone when you earn a win like that.”
asserted
you → earn → that
Some ups and downs are expected for a rookie receiver, and Antonio Williams missed an opportunity when he dropped a deep pass from Mariota in the third quarter.
asserted
he → expect → quarter
Quinn said LB Leo Chenal had surgery on his neck after a scary injury in the second quarter.
asserted
Chenal → say → quarter
LB Frankie Luvu (groin) and TE Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) are expected back at practice this week.
asserted
Luvu → expect → practice
RB Rachaad White dealt with a shoulder injury but still had a key run late in the game.
asserted
White → deal → game
The previous time Washington had three takeaways in a regular-season game was Week 6 in 2023 against Atlanta.
asserted
Washington → have → Atlanta
…and 3 more, not listed.
The Aporia
