Loser No. 2
Brandon Coleman - Commanders OT
When the Washington Commanders lost five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a torn triceps at training camp, the coaching staff placed all their faith in Brandon Coleman to fill the void. He manned the blindside as a rookie, so hopes were high that he could build on that experience despite a rough second season.
Coleman has had some nice moments, but they've been fleeting. The TCU product is struggling to find the consistency he needs, and the Los Angeles Rams' vaunted defensive front targeted him as a weak link with great success.
His pre-snap penalties are infuriating. Coleman is too slow into his pass sets, and his skills look much better suited to the interior. The Commanders don't have that luxury, but a tipping point will come if he cannot pick things up.
It's a short week, so the Commanders are unlikely to change much. But another poor performance from Coleman against the New York Giants could force a switch in some capacity.
Winner No. 2
Nick Cross - Commanders S
While some of Adam Peters' offseason moves haven't hit their targets, that's not the case for Nick Scott. The veteran safety has been a revelation on the defensive back end, and his versatility to occupy multiple positions effectively is tailor-made for Daronte Jones' defense.
The Commanders' defense held the Rams to 20 points, a decent accomplishment given the firepower at their disposal. Scott led the charge, putting together another outstanding effort to give his team a fighting chance.
Scott was aggressive against the run. That's almost a given, but his improved presence in coverage became a real source of encouragement.
The former Maryland star finished with three pass breakups and an interception. Washington couldn't turn these turnovers into points, which arguably decided the game when push came to shove.
Though disappointing, Cross's performance deserves special praise. And given the money Washington paid him, it's already an absolute steal.
Loser No. 3
Odafe Oweh - Commanders OLB
Odafe Oweh was the jewel in Washington's free-agent crown this offseason, joining on a four-year, $96 million deal. The signing was a major statement of intent by the club, and the edge rusher was expected to become a key part of the team's defensive resurgence under Daronte Jones.
We're now halfway through the 2026 campaign, and Oweh has not lived up to his lofty price tag.
Oweh got lost in the shuffle. He managed just one quarterback hit and didn't register a single tackle during the contest. Considering how much the Rams had the football and the fact that they ran it 29 times, this was unacceptable.
The 2021 first-round pick out of Penn State is looking to transition from a rotational rusher into a three-down force in Washington. They are paying him the big bucks for that, but there is no denying Oweh has fallen short of that target so far.
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