After a disastrous campaign so far, everyone within the Washington Commanders was probably looking forward to a change of scenery this week. Dan Quinn's squad traveled to Spain to take on the Miami Dolphins in a high-stakes clash in unfamiliar surroundings, and they must perform.
The Commanders are in a legitimate slump. They are 3-7 when most fans thought they would be challenging for the NFC East crown by this point. Injuries, poor performances, and free-falling morale have all played their part, but something didn't seem right from the outset.
Quinn has taken matters into his own hands, assuming defensive play-calling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. Just how much that will help when push comes to shove remains to be seen, but the head coach had to do something.
The Dolphins won't be doing them any favors. They are not to be taken lightly, as evidenced by their shocking upset win over the Buffalo Bills last time out. They are also still fighting for head coach Mike McDaniel, who remains on the hot seat heading into the business end of the campaign.
It's a precarious situation for the Commanders, and nothing but maximum effort, supreme focus, and outstanding execution will do. Before then, here are seven Commanders players facing soaring pressure in Madrid.
Commanders players facing soaring pressure in high-stakes battle with Dolphins
Johnny Newton - Commanders DL
Daron Payne is suspended for one game in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins after pushing Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. He got baited into it, but the defensive tackle should have known better. Now, the Washington Commanders will be without their best interior defender by a considerable margin.
This is the NFL. Disappointment for one player means an opportunity for another. And the primary beneficiary could be Johnny Newton.
Quinn has already confirmed that Newton will start alongside free-agent signing Javon Kinlaw. The 2024 second-round pick has been a rotational presence once again this season. This is his chance to prove he can effectively handle starting responsibilities with the national NFL audience watching.
Newton flashed promise, especially as a pass-rusher. There is work to be done to improve his strength against the run, which is why the Commanders remain cautious with his game reps. They have Sheldon Day and Eddie Goldman capable of filling the void if things don't go well, but that would be a disaster of epic proportions for the Illinois product's career outlook.
The Commanders are confident that Newton can step up. But make no mistake, this is a litmus test to see how far he's come and how much development is needed before he can meet pre-draft expectations.
Bobby Wagner - Commanders LB
Bobby Wagner is a formidable presence in between the tackles. Anywhere outside of that is quickly becoming a glaring problem for the future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker.
Age is finally catching up to Wagner. He's 35 years old and looking it, arguably, for the first time in his glittering career. Although the Commanders still rely heavily on the second-level presence, his limitations are a weak link that opposing teams are targeting.
That won't go unnoticed by Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as he prepares for the clash. He'll be doing everything he can to isolate Wagner in space. And if that happens against dynamic running back De'Von Achane, explosive plays won't be too far behind.
Dan Quinn is taking over the defensive play-calling responsibilities from Joe Whitt Jr. One of his biggest conundrums will be maximizing Wagner's impact while also limiting his exposure. Washington's hopes in Week 11 depend on it.
Quan Martin - Commanders S
Quan Martin's breakout campaign has been an unmitigated disaster. The veteran safety was being counted upon to lead the charge after Jeremy Chinn left for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. He's found it too much to handle thus far.
The defensive back looks hesitant. He's struggling from a technical standpoint, and Martin's explosiveness has also deserted him in critical moments. Washington's secondary is suffering greatly, and without cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos to call upon, it's even more imperative that the backend provide adequate coverage support.
Getting Will Harris back into the mix should help. The free-agent signing had his 21-day return window opened, although he's unlikely to feature this weekend. That places the onus squarely on Martin to step up and remind the world why he was so highly touted coming into the campaign.
If he can't raise the stakes, Miami's explosive offense could put up points in a hurry.
Javon Kinlaw - Commanders DT
Adam Petters caused a stir in free agency when he signed defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw to a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. Almost nobody believed he would get that kind of financial commitment after an underwhelming campaign with the New York Jets in 2024. The Commanders thought differently, but it hasn't gone according to plan overall.
Kinlaw started on the front foot. He was purposeful and ferocious, using his outstanding physical gifts well. As the Commanders' defense faltered, so has he, and there are now serious questions about whether Peters made the correct call by bringing him into the fold.
With Pro Bowl lineman Daron Payne suspended for Washington's international game against the Dolphins, Kinlaw will be tasked with leading the charge in the defensive trenches. Plugging up holes in the run game is the first objective. After that, it's about pushing the pile and making quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's life as uncomfortable as possible.
Deebo Samuel Sr. - Commanders WR
Deebo Samuel Sr. started the season impressively. The wide receiver looked well on course to silence his doubters and make himself a lot of money along the way. That might still be the case, but a considerable effort is needed over the Washington Commanders' final seven games.
Samuel's production has regressed. He's still running with purpose and making opportunities count, but they are diminishing as Washington's offense struggles to find the consistency needed without superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels.
With Terry McLaurin still working his way back from injury, Samuel will once again be the lead man in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins. Kliff Kingsbury has to find better ways to scheme him open. Getting the football in his hands quickly, allowing him to be creative and aggressive, is the best way to get some easy wins in the passing game.
Anything less, and the Commanders will have a massive problem on their hands.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
After a meteoric rise to prominence far quicker than anyone expected, seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has come crashing back down to earth in recent weeks. Perhaps gaining starting responsibilities was too much at this early stage of his career, so how he performs moving forward — and in what sort of role — will be telling.
Croskey-Merritt wasn't the starter last weekend, although he led the team in carries after Chris Rodriguez Jr. hurt his shoulder. That could be the route Kliff Kingsbury takes with the first-year running back moving forward, which wouldn't be a bad thing by any stretch.
The Commanders have struggled to get anything going on the ground. They've been playing from behind a lot. At the same time, everything might have happened a little too fast for the No. 245 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Fans will find out for sure against the Dolphins, who are giving up 139.7 rushing yards per game.
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
The Commanders' cornerback room was already struggling, but another injury crippled them. One week after Marshon Lattimore was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL, second-round rookie Trey Amos also went to the shelf thanks to a fractured fibula suffered against the Detroit Lions.
To say this unit is threadbare would be an understatement. Losing Lattimore is bad enough, but not having Amos to depend upon doesn't exactly bode well for Washington's chances of restricting the Dolphins' high-octane offense.
This immediately puts Mike Sainristil in the alpha-dog role. The 2024 second-round pick has struggled to reach the heights attained as a rookie. He's gaining more interceptions, but his feast-or-famine approach is doing more harm than good.
Sainristil needs to get it together, and quickly. He's now the Commanders' No. 1 corner for their remaining seven games. And his first mission will be finding ways to keep Miami wide receiver Jaylen Waddle quiet.