Loser No. 3
Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB
Jayden Daniels is held to a higher standard. Not many quarterbacks have the mettle to live up to these expectations, but the Washington Commanders have complete faith in their superstar quarterback to come through when the stakes are highest.
Unfortunately, this was not one of those occasions.
Daniels was lackluster at the start of the game. He couldn't get into a rhythm, and his costly early interception sucked all the momentum out of Washington when the team was in scoring distance. Things began to click in the second half, but it was yet another fatal error when the game was in the palm of his hand that proved to be the difference.
The former LSU standout was warned earlier in the contest. Daniels fumbled on a scramble, but the football took a lucky bounce into his grasp. He wasn't so fortunate when it mattered more, and the Commanders tasted defeat as a result.
Nobody needs to tell Daniels that he needs to protect the ball better. But make no mistake, he's got the required resolve to bounce back.
Winner No. 3
Luke McCaffrey - Commanders WR
Luke McCaffrey's ability to seize every moment is quickly becoming one of Washington's best feel-good stories of the campaign. The wide receiver is coming of age when most thought he would be on the fringes this season. That's a testament to his hard work behind the scenes to improve his long-term outlook.
For some unknown reason, McCaffrey was only targeted once in the passing game. He inevitably brought it in for 33 receiving yards and one touchdown, but fans were puzzled as to why Jayden Daniels didn't look in his direction more often.
However, the 2024 third-round pick out of Rice lands on the winner list due to his work in the return game. McCaffrey is evolving into one of the league's most productive kick returners, consistently showcasing his speed, field vision, and elusiveness in this discipline. He's riding on the crest of a wave right now, which only made his bemusing lack of involvement in the passing game all the more frustrating.
Loser No. 4
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
Mike Sainristil enjoyed a phenomenal rookie campaign in 2024. Things haven't gone nearly as well this time around, and the feisty cornerback wasn't his assured self against the Chicago Bears.
Sainristil didn't start the campaign well. He's shown signs of life over the last fortnight, but this was an undoubted step back. There were several lapses in coverage, which the Bears exploited. He also struggled to gain leverage against the run, either getting blocked out of the play or failing to tackle effectively.
There is no need to press the panic button just yet. Sainristil remains an outstanding player and one of the league's most promising young cornerbacks. But the sooner he finds the consistency that saw him emerge as a future franchise cornerstone in Year 1 of his professional career, the better Washington's chances will be.
Otherwise, another difficult afternoon could be ahead against the Dallas Cowboys' prolific passing attack.