The Washington Commanders are reeling after four consecutive defeats, heading into a Week 10 matchup that's widely expected to extend their losing streak to five.
The Detroit Lions are in town, and revenge will be on their minds. The Commanders went into their house on the divisional round weekend and upset the top seed in the NFC last season. And no coach in the NFL takes losing more personally than Dan Campbell.
If you thought last week's loss was ugly, this one could make it look tame — especially without Jayden Daniels under center due to the elbow injury he suffered during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks. Whatever slim chances Washington has will hinge upon Marcus Mariota under center.
Alternatively, the Commanders could do the funniest possible thing.
Commanders have nothing to lose against the Lions in Week 10
The Lions team that's coming to Northwest Stadium is not the same one the Commanders faced in the playoffs last year. That team was missing a sizable chunk of its starting defense, including star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Washington pounced, putting up 41 points on the hapless unit that defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was forced to trot out.
The Commanders also aren't the same team that beat Detroit. In addition to Daniels, they'll be without the services of star wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Gone for the season are defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr., running back Austin Ekeler, and cornerback Marshon Lattimore, among others.
Yet Washington boasts one distinct advantage it didn't have before: the luxury of home field. Anything is possible on any given Sunday. After the latest porous showing by the Commanders' defense, Joe Whitt Jr. will be kept under a much closer watch by head coach Dan Quinn.
What makes the Commanders most dangerous for a potential upset bid, though, is that they have been officially written off by the NFL. With Daniels healthy, there was at least a chance that they could pull themselves together for another playoff push. Now it's expected that 2025 will be a lost season for Washington. With less pressure on themselves, they'll be able to play with much more freedom.
Crazy things happen every week in the NFL. Players don't tank, no matter how much the momentum is stacked against them. This feels like it would be such a Commanders thing to do to accidentally stumble backwards into a win this week of all weeks.
Who are we kidding here? Washington will probably lose by three touchdowns. But if Mariota and the boys can hang around for long enough, they might have a chance.