It sure sounds like Jahan Dotson is looking to make Commanders pay in Week 11

There are plenty of intriguing storylines attached to a mouth-watering tussle between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football. Jahan Dotson's first game against his old employers is one of them.

The wide receiver came to Washington with great fanfare after the Commanders selected him at No. 16 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite flashing promise on occasion, the consistency was nowhere near the level expected. Once a new regime led by head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters came into the fold, it didn't take long for Dotson to fall out of favor.

Something was missing early on. Dotson looked like a square peg in a round hole within Kliff Kingsbury's offensive scheme. Peters quit while the Commanders were ahead, trading the Penn State product and a fifth-round selection to the Eagles for one third-rounder and two sevens.

This provided the front office with enough disposable ammunition to acquire stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints before the 2024 trade deadline. For Dotson, it represented a chance to start fresh and go to a team with legitimate chances of contention.

Washington and Philadelphia are in a straight fight for the division. Dotson's role has been minimal, bringing in eight receptions from 15 targets for 98 receiving yards through nine games. However, he'll be extremely motivated with revenge on his mind in a pivotal primetime showdown.

Jahan Dotson motivated to make plays against the Commanders

When asked about his lack of usage and going up against the team that drafted him, Dotson claimed he was treating this game like any other despite his resolute tone. He also defended his involvement, highlighting the outstanding options elsewhere on Philadelphia's offense as a reason why he's on the fringes.

"I'm just trying to treat it like a normal week, it's a short week. The main thing is the main thing, that's to come out on top and get the W. People tend to forget that I was a first-round pick. I can make plays. Just because I'm the third receiver in this offense, I don't get a lot of opportunities, so I got to make the most of them when they come. But I have the ultimate confidence in myself if the ball's in there that I'm going to come down with it, I'm going to make a play. It's just like any other Sunday, Thursday, or Monday, got to go out and get the job done."

- Jahan Dotson via PhiladelphiaEagles.com

This is the well-trained response in front of the media. However, it sure seems like Dotson is ready to make the Commanders pay for their lack of faith.

If there was ever a time for the Eagles to feature Dotson more prominently, this is it. He'll know the strengths and weaknesses of Washington's defensive backs. The pass-catcher will have an extra edge. Head coach Nick Sirianni could use this to his advantage versus a secondary that isn't exactly setting the world alight.

In all honesty, Dotson is way down the list of Washington's priorities.

They must find a way to nullify running back Saquon Barkley. They must halt the momentum wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have enjoyed against the Commanders in recent years. They must also find a way to stop veteran tight end Dallas Goedert from becoming an influence across the middle and in the red zone.

The Commanders won't want to be embarrassed by Dotson, that's for sure. The trade is looking pretty good right now, especially with Washington's rebuild further ahead than most anticipated. But looking at the wideout's comments about making plays, it's clear he's got this exact objective in mind.

This is just one of many fascinating factors to watch closely when the two NFC East sides collide. It's going to be an incredible occasion worthy of the national spotlight.

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