Winner No. 1
Chris Rodriguez Jr. - Commanders RB
The Washington Commanders made it a priority to get the run game going early. And they relied heavily on Chris Rodriguez Jr. to set the tone.
Rodriguez was up to the task. He ran aggressively, with physicality and explosiveness. His contact balance is showing genuine improvement, and the former Kentucky star set the tempo that made things easier for veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota.
The 2023 sixth-round pick is clearly the most productive running back on Washington's roster right now, and it's not particularly close. And yet, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury opted almost entirely to ignore his influence over the second half. That is inexcusable.
Kingsbury stated earlier this season that Washington's backfield committee would ride the hot hand from game to game. That was Rodriguez in this one, and he should have continued to be the bell-cow.
But alas, it wasn't to be. And the Commanders lost again.
Loser No. 2
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
One of the first things head coach Dan Quinn did when taking over the defense was to move cornerback Mike Sainristil back to the boundary. In all honesty, he didn't have much of a choice, with Marshon Lattimore and second-round rookie Trey Amos both on season-ending injured reserve.
Sainristil started the game well. He gave up a couple of catches with Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, but that's to be expected. There is still some hesitancy in his game, but it's evident that the Michigan product is more comfortable on the outside.
The 2024 second-round pick is going through some confidence issues right now. But with Jaylin Lane ruled out, the Commanders had nobody else to handle punt return duties. And his grave error, fumbling a return, gave the Dolphins life.
This has been the story of the season for Sainristil. Very few would have been looking forward to the bye week more.
Winner No. 2
Josh Conerly Jr. - Commanders OT
After a baptism of fire throughout the early stages of his rookie campaign, things are starting to come together for Josh Conerly Jr. The Commanders might be in the midst of a disastrous losing run, but the encouraging progress being made by the first-round pick represents a bright spot amid the doom and gloom.
Conerly's given up just two pressures from 63 pass-blocking snaps over the last two contests. He hasn't given up a sack for almost a month. Considering his rude awakening earlier in the campaign, the former Oregon standout is starting to take positive steps forward.
It's not perfect just yet from Conerly, but nobody expected it to be. His pre-snap awareness needs to improve, as does his play strength. But the footwork and pass-pro technique are making impressive strides, which is something he can build upon further after the bye week.