Loser No. 2
Quan Martin - Commanders S
Most Washington Commanders fans were anticipating a legitimate breakout campaign from Quan Martin this season. The talented safety was thrust into the No. 1 role after Adam Peters let Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency, and hopes were high that this could ignite the spark to propel him to even greater heights.
That hasn't materialized. Martin is struggling to find his identity as the alpha dog on the backend. His weaknesses are being exposed, which center on missed tackles, poor eye discipline, and a lack of conviction in open space.
It's a dangerous combination that the Cowboys had no trouble taking advantage of.
The comical collision with veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore was a microcosm of how things are unfolding for the Commanders, both on the day and through the opening seven weeks of the 2025 campaign. Martin looked like a possible extension candidate ahead of time heading into the season. Now, that couldn't be further from anyone's mind, and a rousing effort is needed to remind the world why he was such a highly touted college recruit coming out of Illinois.
Winner No. 1
Robbie Chosen - Commanders WR
It was an afternoon were very few positives came to the fore. Nothing clicked, and the Commanders were always chasing the contest. Some extreme soul-searching is needed to prevent this season from spiraling into the proverbial abyss when much more was expected.
In difficult circumstances, there was a lot to like about Robbie Chosen's production. The veteran wide receiver was elevated from the practice squad despite only joining the franchise last week. Dan Quinn was confident he could make an impact, and that proved the be the case.
Chosen's route-running looked sharp. He made one tough catch late in proceedings, and he was always fighting for extra yardage. Dallas' defenders swarmed him often, but it represented a positive step for someone who's struggled to catch on anywhere in recent years.
While three receptions from four targets for 36 receiving yards isn't exactly mind-blowing, the effort and athleticism displayed by Chosen were encouraging. But like I said, it was tough to find pluses from the contest.
Loser No. 3
Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DT
There was a heap of blame to go around on the defensive side of the football. Almost nobody met expectations as the Commanders collapsed to yet another demoralizing loss. However, some are held to a higher standard than others.
Javon Kinlaw is among them. The Commanders gave the interior defensive lineman more money than almost anyone anticipated this offseason. He started the campaign well, but the alarm bells are ringing after his second subpar performance in succession.
As Daron Payne thrived alongside him, Kinlaw fell by the wayside. He was pushed off his spot far too frequently by the Cowboys's offensive line, which completely negated the strengths he brings to the table. The South Carolina product is not the most mobile in pursuit, and this was exposed in no uncertain terms.
Kinlaw finished the game with one tackle and not much else. It was an anonymous display that only raises concerns about whether the Commanders are going to get a long-term return on their investment.