Loser No. 1
Noah Brown - Commanders WR
It's been another rough season for Noah Brown. The veteran wide receiver has endured a torrid campaign on the injury front, and just when it looked like the tide might be turning for the player, another setback emerged.
Brown caught one pass for a decent 28-yard gain early in the contest. The Washington Commanders were clearly eager to get him involved, but it didn't last. He ended up leaving the contest shortly after suffering a back complication in the first quarter.
The Ohio State product was initially listed as questionable to return. Brown got checked over in the locker room and was immediately ruled out for the rest of the game. With three games left, this could be the last time fans see the wideout in a Washington uniform if the issue is severe.
It's been a luckless run for Brown. Regardless of whether he gets back or not, the Commanders can no longer depend on him to stay healthy.
Winner No. 2
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
The Commanders were dealt a blow before the clash when running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. couldn't prove his fitness after a pre-game test. He'd been starting and playing well in recent weeks, so Washington needed someone else to step up and fill the void.
Although veteran Jeremy McNichols started the contest, it didn't take long for Jacory Croskey-Merritt to take charge. The seventh-round rookie looked far more decisive and purposeful when touches came his way. Whether it was between the tackles or off the edge, the first-year pro caught the eye considerably.
Croskey-Merritt's meteoric rise over the early stages of the campaign tailed off dramatically. These are the typical growing pains associated with a late-round selection, but this was the most impressive performance he's had for months.
The rags-to-riches player notched 96 rushing yards and one touchdown from 18 carries. There is still a lot of work ahead, but Croskey-Merritt reminded fans of his bright future with the club.
Loser No. 2
Will Harris - Commanders S
The Commanders missed Will Harris's presence considerably during his time on injured reserve this season. He's made a decent contribution since returning to the lineup, but this was not his most encouraging afternoon at the office by any stretch of the imagination.
There seemed to be more hesitancy around Harris than at any stage this season. The aggression and positional prowess he'd previously displayed evaporated. His glaring missed tackle allowed New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. to go in for a touchdown, which was a microcosm of how things unfolded for the defensive back throughout Washington's long-awaited fourth win of the season.
Harris has earned enough good graces to suggest that this subpar outing was a blip rather than the start of anything more concerning. Fortunately for the Commanders, third-year safety Quan Martin performed well enough to compensate for the underperformance of others.