The Washington Commanders are trying to wash away the stench of their Week 5 overtime catastrophe against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. Nobody is giving head coach Dan Quinn's squad a shot, but this team always seems to dig a little deeper when their backs are against the wall.
San Francisco is undefeated at 5-0. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has his team performing extremely well despite missing several franchise cornerstones due to injury. They are well-balanced, well-drilled, and brimming with confidence.
The Commanders are heading down a different path.
Their inexplicable clock-management fiasco against the New York Giants drew scathing criticism. Calls to fire Quinn went unanswered, and everyone has turned the page to what's next. With the NFC East looking shaky at best, a win would put them right back in the mix.
Whether they can cause a significant upset is another matter.
Before the prime-time showdown, here are four bold predictions for the Commanders at Levi's Stadium.
Bold predictions for the Washington Commanders in Week 6 against the 49ers
Terry McLaurin gains 110+ receiving yards
Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin was on a snap count last week due to a hamstring issue. But with another week to heal and get sharp, he should be ready for more against the Niners.
And if the Commanders fall behind early, McLaurin could be in line for a huge workload.
McLaurin might have Stefon Diggs alongside him again. Jayden Daniels will be under center, so the Commanders' best chance is to turn this into a shootout. And the Ohio State product has a favorable matchup in Santa Clara.
Javon Kinlaw gains one sack, 3 tackles for loss
Revenge will be on Javon Kinlaw's mind in this one. The Niners drafted the defensive lineman with a first-round pick in 2020, but they didn't offer him a new deal once his rookie contract expired. This was a slap in the face, and he's struggled to find his footing ever since.
Kinlaw's been a real bright spot for the Commanders this season. He is excelling as a 3-4 defensive end in Daronte Jones' system, and he will be eager to silence his doubters in San Francisco with a dominant display against his old employers.
Jayden Daniels gains 375+ yards from scrimmage
The Commanders welcomed Jayden Daniels back last week. And aside from the botched final play in overtime, it was an immensely positive return from the quarterback.
Daniels was accurate. He looked dynamic running the football, and he wasn't giving his elbow brace a second thought. The last play was a deeply disappointing lapse in concentration, but he has promised to come back from it even stronger.
As previously mentioned, the Commanders must match San Francisco's offense every step of the way. That means Daniels has to make things happen by any means necessary, and he'll want to put on a show with the NFL's undivided attention.
Commanders keep it close before faltering late
Everyone expects the Commanders to get blown out by the Niners. But that's rare, and Quinn will demand a big response from his players after snatching a tie from the jaws of victory last time out.
For all the speculation about Quinn's status, he has never lost the locker room. They have shown resolve this week, which should serve them well. And even if they don't win, they can give the Niners trouble with a strong start.
Even that might not be enough. But if they show some fight, that will be enough for (most) fans.
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