Loser No. 4
Tim Settle Jr. - Commanders DL
If the Washington Commanders wanted to stand any chance of winning this game, they had to win their battles in the trenches. This was critical, but aside from a few flashes, they fell short.
I'll have to look at the snap counts from the game, but defensive lineman Tim Settle Jr. was anonymous. The free-agent signing didn't make any sort of impact, with Christian McCaffrey running all over Washington's defense in the first half.
Even after Javon Kinlaw left the game with a knee injury, his influence didn't increase.
This was discouraging. Big things were expected of Settle when he signed for a second spell in Washington, and he hasn't met his markers so far. If Kinlaw is out for an extended spell, the Commanders need more from him, and the bye week comes at a good time to make the improvements they want.
The Commanders are paying Settle well. He must start living up to this paycheck.
Winner No. 3
Chig Okonkwo - Commanders TE
With wide receiver Terry McLaurin going down with a significant knee injury, the Commanders needed their other playmakers to step up. And for the second straight week, tight end Chig Okonkwo was among the shining lights.
Okonkwo is finding his groove after an indifferent start. He seems to have fully recovered from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss a couple of games, and the explosiveness has been a real asset over the last two contests.
The hands are secure, and his physicality after the catch is impressive. The Niners threw some questionable hits at Okonkwo, and he absorbed them to keep the chains moving. The Maryland product brought in all seven of his targets for 69 receiving yards, becoming a dependable security blanket for Jayden Daniels to lean on.
McLaurin will miss time, potentially the entire season. Expect Okonkwo to continue his surge into a legitimate focal point for David Blough's offense moving forward.
Loser No. 5
Sam Cosmi - Commanders OL
Sam Cosmi has been the linchpin on the Washington Commanders' interior offensive line. He's easily their best lineman with left tackle Laremy Tunsil out, so the team is counting on him to deliver when it matters most.
The 2021 second-round pick has been consistent this season when on the field. That wasn't the case on Monday Night Football against the Niners.
Cosmi left the game briefly injured after a cheap shot, but before and after that, the typically accomplished production just wasn't there. He looked a little slower off the snap, and the pocket was collapsing with alarming frequency as a result.
Others on Washington's protection don't have the skills to pick up the slack if Cosmi doesn't meet his end of the bargain. That speaks to their lack of quality and depth, but the veteran cornerstone is resolute enough to bounce back against the feared Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle tandem of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis after the bye.
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