Tim Settle Jr. - Commanders DL
Tim Settle Jr.'s first game back for the Washington Commanders did not go well against the Philadelphia Eagles. The defensive lineman looked overwhelmed and failed to produce the force needed to make an impression. Fortunately, the tide has turned since.
Settle is growing in stature. He's explosive off the snap, anchors well against the run, and has the physical profile to absorb double teams. And even though his role has been overlooked, it is integral to the team's plans.
He will need all this and more against the Giants. They have a competent offensive line, and even though starting quarterback Jaxson Dart is out for the season with a knee injury, they are still making things work with Jameis Winston, and running back Cam Skattebo is a problem they must overcome.
The Commanders win this game in the trenches. Settle can make a big impression, and he must deliver to give Washington's pass rushers a fighting chance.
Treylon Burks - Commanders WR
Stefon Diggs won't feature against the New York Giants with a hamstring injury. Terry McLaurin is trending in the right direction, but even if he does get the green light, the wide receiver will not be at 100 percent.
The Commanders have Jayden Daniels and Sam Cosmi back, which is something. But without Diggs and McLaurin not at full health, others have to step up.
Treylon Burks should get the first shot at becoming a prominent feature in the team's offensive strategy. He's always had the talent; consistency is the biggest stumbling block. The Commanders believed enough in the wideout to give him a new one-year deal this offseason, but he's caught only three passes on six targets this season.
However, two of those have gone for touchdowns. Burks is a big-play waiting to happen, and he needs to show these qualities more often without Diggs to lean on.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
The Commanders need to get the run game going. It's been underwhelming so far, and the situation involving sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen has placed more scrutiny on Adam Peters' thought process.
Washington placed faith in experience over development, a trap they fell into last season with little success. It'll be interesting to see how the dynamic shakes out from here, but there is no questioning the need for Jacory Croskey-Merritt to make more of an impression.
Croskey-Merritt has lost momentum after his surprising rookie surge. He's been careless with the football, and he hasn't attacked gaps with the same conviction over four weeks. Austin Ekeler looked like Washington's best running back in Week 4, and he'd only been back with the franchise for a few days before getting involved.
This is a big problem. And if Croskey-Merritt doesn't want that trend to continue, it needs massive improvement.
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