After a sensational start to the 2024 season, the Washington Commanders are navigating their first taste of prolonged adversity. This was always going to arrive at some stage. How head coach Dan Quinn and his staff galvanize their squad is crucial.
The Commanders are still in a good position despite losing their last two contests. They are 7-4 with a wildcard playoff spot well within their capabilities. Washington's schedule is also far from daunting if they can respond accordingly.
Nobody expected the Commanders to be in this position so soon into a comprehensive rebuild. They are way ahead of schedule, which raises expectations among the fanbase and across the media for good measure. Having two periods of extended rest should help re-focus this squad, but the margin for error is getting slimmer with every indifferent outing.
All hope is not lost for the Commanders. While they might not have enough to mix it with the legitimate Super Bowl contenders just yet, this is a team nobody will want to see on their playoff quest.
Getting there is the tough part. With this in mind, here are five regressing Commanders players who must bounce back down the 2024 stretch.
Regressing Commanders players who must bounce back down the 2024 stretch
Noah Brown - Commanders WR
The Washington Commanders brought in Noah Brown to potentially become the perfect No. 2 wide receiver behind Terry McLaurin. There are flashes of genuine quality and he's got more defensive pass interference calls than anybody, but the drop in numbers over the last fortnight represents a slight concern.
Brown needs to step things up and provide rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels with another dependable option. He's got the size and proven production to ensure this dip in form becomes a blip and nothing more concerning. The sooner that happens, the more chance Washington has of getting out of its current slump.
The former seventh-round pick out of Ohio State has the physical profile to be more impactful. That's exactly what the Commanders will be looking for at the business end of the season.