When Washington Commanders Coach Dan Quinn gathered his team for the weekly “Tell the Truth Monday” meeting, one glaring issue stood out: the running game. Specifically, the lack of productivity from anyone not named Jayden Daniels. Over the past two weeks, the once-reliable rushing attack has faltered, leaving the quarterback to carry the burden—literally. For Washington to have a shot at beating the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday night and making a serious postseason run, achieving balance in their offensive play is non-negotiable.
Back in the first nine weeks of the season, Washington’s running backs averaged an impressive 108.7 yards per game, with a solid 5 yards per carry. Those numbers dropped significantly during a three-game losing streak in November, sinking to 62.3 yards per game and just 3.3 yards per carry. The tide turned momentarily in Week 13 when the Commanders exploded for 229 rushing yards against the Tennessee Titans, despite missing star running back Austin Ekeler, who was sidelined with a concussion.
But since that glimmer of hope, the Commanders’ running backs have failed to regain their rhythm. Over the past two games, they’ve combined for a mere 103 rushing yards at a dismal 2.6 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Daniels has taken center stage as the team’s leading rusher, accumulating 737 yards this season. His latest feat—an 81-yard performance in a thrilling comeback win against the Philadelphia Eagles—pushed him past Cam Newton for the second-most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback in NFL history. Only Robert Griffin III’s 815-yard rookie season in 2012 stands ahead of him.
Exciting as Daniels’ contributions are, relying solely on the quarterback isn’t a sustainable strategy. In Sunday’s game, five of the 15 carries by Washington’s running backs resulted in zero or negative yards. To make matters worse, two of those plays ended in turnovers, with Brian Robinson Jr. fumbling twice in the first half. Over their last two games, Washington’s running backs have averaged a meager 0.10 yards before contact, ranking dead last among NFL teams during that span.
Fixing the rushing woes starts with fundamentals, and Quinn addressed this in a team-wide discussion on Tuesday. For this pre-Christmas meeting, players traded their usual Tuesday day off for meetings, a walk-through, and a brief “jog-through” practice session. Quinn’s message was crystal clear: the Commanders need to recapture their aggressive edge. “Let’s make sure we’re sprinting off the ball into our contact,” Quinn told the team. “Don’t overthink this thing. Let’s make sure they feel our pads, our physicality. That’s the effort, the finishing, the hitting—the top of the pile.”
While these coaching adjustments offer hope, reinforcements could also be on the way. Austin Ekeler, who has been on injured reserve, might return to practice soon if he’s healthy. When asked about Ekeler’s chances of playing in the season finale, Quinn struck an optimistic tone. “Austin is definitely trending in the right way,” he said. “Workouts are going great, and he’s been engaged in meetings. We’re certainly optimistic, and we’ll just play the whole thing out.” Ekeler’s potential return could provide a significant boost for a rushing attack in desperate need of consistency.
Off the field, the Commanders have embraced the holiday spirit in style. It’s a long-standing NFL tradition for quarterbacks to gift their offensive linemen during the holidays as a gesture of appreciation. Jayden Daniels didn’t disappoint, surprising his linemen with electric scooters to make their lives—and walks—a little easier. But the gift-giving didn’t stop there. Dan Quinn made sure every player and staff member in Ashburn received a thoughtful present: burgundy Marucci baseball bats engraved with the Commanders’ “W” logo and their team mantra, “Anybody. Anywhere. Anytime.” The connection was more than symbolic, as Marucci was founded by Jack Marucci, an athletic trainer who worked closely with Daniels during his college days at LSU.
As the Commanders prepare for their clash against the Falcons, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win or tie on Sunday would clinch a playoff spot for Washington. Alternatively, they could secure their postseason berth if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose or tie against the Carolina Panthers earlier in the day. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles could lock up the NFC East title with a win or tie against the Dallas Cowboys or a Commanders loss.
With playoff scenarios swirling and their running game under scrutiny, the Commanders face a pivotal moment in their season. Sunday’s game against Atlanta isn’t just about a win; it’s about proving they can adapt, find balance, and rise to the occasion. Whether it’s through rekindling their running game or continuing to lean on Daniels’ heroics, Washington’s path to success will require a full-team effort—and perhaps a little holiday magic along the way.
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