Loser No. 2
Daronte Jones - Commanders DC
Not for the first time in recent years, the Washington Commanders have struggled on defense. And these issues center on sustained consistency.
The Commanders are one of the league's best units in the first half. Things completely capitulate after the interval, which is frustrating and bemusing in equal measure given the talent at their disposal.
Daronte Jones needs to do a better job making the necessary adjustments. This is happening too often to be just a player issue. His scheme is being exposed as games go on, and Washington needs better contingencies to get out of this slump.
Getting cooked by veteran quarterback Jameis Winston in 2026 is not great. He looked poised and sharp, and he seemed to have all day to work through his reads in the second half. The Commanders' inability to cover tight ends effectively is another issue that must be resolved, and these improvements are desperately needed before taking on the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers on prime time.
Winner No. 2
Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB
Frankie Luvu fought right until the end. He was an inspirational force, providing a forceful presence against the run while consistently disrupting the backfield.
It came to nothing in the end, but Luvu is displaying real bounce-back signs after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
The Washington State product spent too much time on the edge last season. Luvu is back in his off-ball role, staying instinctive and getting around the action quickly. His speed to exploit gaps when coming on blitzes is another positive, and there was a lot to like about his performance against the New York Giants.
Luvu is an indispensable member of the squad. His partnership with No. 7 pick Sonny Styles is flourishing, and his pre-snap communication has offset the departure of future Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Bobby Wagner.
He's also looking for a new deal at season's end. Based on his start, Luvu might just get it.
Loser No. 3
Brandon Coleman - Commanders OT
The Commanders are missing five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil. They just have to suck it up and find ways to cope, but for arguably the first time this season, the Giants' defensive front actively targeted Brandon Coleman as a weak link.
Given how he foundered, Coleman can expect this trend to continue.
Coleman didn't look comfortable at any point in this game. He was getting beaten consistently off the edge. He struggled to pick up blitzes and looked overawed for the most part. It's been an up-and-down start to the campaign, but this was his worst performance of the season so far.
The Commanders have no viable options to remove Coleman from the lineup or move him inside. Tunsil's loss was always going to be a body blow, but Washington needs the TCU product to step up in his absence.
Otherwise, it's hard to tell what the future holds for him.
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