Marshon Lattimore holds A.J. Brown under 50 receiving yards
Marshon Lattimore's debut was as advertised. The Washington Commanders took their time with the shutdown cornerback, who was dealing with a hamstring issue upon joining the franchise. This was a shrewd move by the coaching staff looking at the immediate returns.
Lattimore was able to play almost a full slate of reps versus the team that traded him away. More significantly, the four-time Pro Bowler locked down one side of the field with minimal fuss.
The New Orleans Saints didn't throw a single target in Lattimore's direction. It was an immensely positive introduction from the player. This weekend represents a different challenge entirely.
Expect to see Lattimore matched up against Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown frequently. He's been a constant thorn in Washington's side over the years. At the same time, the Commanders have never had a legitimate No. 1 cornerback to go up against him.
This will be a fascinating battle between two alphas who won't back down from one another. If Lattimore can hold up and restrict Brown to 50 or fewer receiving yards, that's a significant boost.
Commanders secure landmark victory
The Commanders came up second best against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football at Lincoln Financial Field earlier in the season. However, it's easy to forget that Washington led the contest heading into the fourth quarter.
That provides some encouragement for fans before Week 16. The Eagles have gained further momentum since then while the Commanders slightly stutter their way to the finish line. There's also the small matter of injuries to key personnel that Washington must navigate in pursuit of victory.
Dan Quinn's squad is a 3.5-point underdog with most sportsbooks this weekend. That's a fair reflection looking at how things are unfolding for both teams, but writing off the Commanders' chances entirely would be foolish.
If the Commanders start well and manage to pick up some early momentum, they could make things interesting. It'll be difficult, there's no getting away from that. Even so, it's not impossible by any stretch of the imagination.
It's a big ask, but a win for the Commanders in this one would be a monumental accomplishment in the circumstances. Something that would all but secure postseason football for the first time since 2020.