5 Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 7 vs. the Panthers
By Dean Jones
After gaining a moral victory that counts for nothing in the grand scheme of things in Week 6 at the Baltimore Ravens, a different challenge awaits the Washington Commanders this time out.
They once again become heavy favorites versus one of the league's bottom feeders. It's a new scenario for the Commanders after years of constant underachievement under previous regimes. However, head coach Dan Quinn kept his players focused and professional in a similar situation earlier in the campaign.
The Commanders easily disposed of the Cleveland Browns, avoiding the trap game outcome with minimal fuss. They need to do the same this weekend against the Carolina Panthers on home soil. This won't be a walkover looking at their offensive improvements, but it would be extremely disappointing if they couldn't get the job done.
It's a different type of pressure, but it's pressure nonetheless. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 7 at Northwest Stadium.
Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 7
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
Make no mistake, the Carolina Panthers have faith they can carve up yards and points on this Washington Commanders' defense. They shipped both in frequent supply at the Baltimore Ravens. This is less challenging, but getting complacent is simply not an option.
The Commanders' secondary must improve. Carolina has some outstanding playmakers led by Diontae Johnson and first-round pick Xavier Legette. Considering how Benjamin St-Juste is finding life difficult against elite separators this season, Mike Sainristil's encouraging growth must take another monumental leap forward in Week 7.
Sainristil is inexperienced. He's also Washington's best cover cornerback through six weeks. That's a damning indictment on others, but putting him versus Johnson early and often seems like a smart strategy.
Johnson can get open in a phone booth through sharp cuts and exceptional route manipulation. The second-round selection out of Michigan must be firing on all cylinders to cope with the Pro Bowl pass-catcher when lined up against him.
Anything less is going to make things more complicated than needed against the Panthers. Especially considering Dave Canales' men can play with an extra sense of freedom with no expectations on their shoulders whatsoever.