The Washington Commanders have turned the page on their Week 5 debacle, but the tests keep coming for head coach Dan Quinn's squad.
This time, it's a Monday Night Football showdown against the San Francisco 49ers.
If the Commanders are struggling, the Niners are heading the opposite way. They are unbeaten at 5-0 and look like a team more than capable of going deep into the postseason. They are on home soil with the prime-time audience watching on, and Quinn's men need to dig deep to stand any chance of keeping this one competitive.
Nobody cares about the poor record, the injuries, or even the botched overtime call that cost them the win against the New York Giants. The Commanders have to show some resolve, and they need to show the national audience that they can respond positively in the face of significant adversity.
The time for talk is over.
Even if the Commanders don't beat the Niners and head into their bye week at 1-4-1, they have to fight. That is the minimum requirement, but to achieve it, they must win individual battles across the field.
With that in mind, here are seven Commanders who may be trapped in concerning mismatches against the Niners.
Washington Commanders players caught in concerning mismatches against the 49ers
Commanders inside linebackers
The Commanders have to contain running back Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy. That's almost impossible, especially given how well the dynamic duo has performed this season. But restricting them could give Washington a fighting chance.
McCaffrey remains one of the league's best dual-threat backs. Purdy is in the NFL MVP conversation through five weeks. If you stop the run, the signal-caller can beat you with play-action and quick releases. There is simply no easy answer.
This is a problem, and Washington's linebacker duo of Frankie Luvu and Sonny Styles have to come through.
Luvu and Styles have been a real bright spot. They are instinctive, impactful, and are making their presence felt. They are also the glue holding this defense together, and that has to continue with two players who'll likely be in All-Pro consideration at season's end.
Everyone on the Commanders will be looking toward Luvu and Styles for inspiration. McCaffrey can take over games, and Purdy is evolving into more than just a game manager. They cannot do it alone, but they will be integral to Washington's hopes of stopping this partnership from dictating proceedings.
But one thing is for sure: neither Luvu nor Styles will back down from the fight.
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