Sam Cosmi and 4 Commanders on the hot seat entering Week 13 vs. Titans
By Dean Jones
The stakes couldn't be much higher for the Washington Commanders this weekend. Their playoff aspirations are hanging by a thread as the Tennessee Titans come to town. They need a big performance to head into their long-awaited bye week on a high.
Dan Quinn is trying to take the pressure off his players. He knows they are ahead of schedule and wants them to relax. That's easier said than done looking at the prize in front of them, but it's something they must accomplish versus a Titans team playing for nothing more than pride.
Don't let Tennessee's lowly record fool you. They compete hard and have quality playmakers on both sides of the football. Brian Callahan's men will also be high on confidence after securing a surprising divisional victory over the Houston Texans last time out.
This is a time for big characters and composure. The Commanders were expected to easily win this contest just a few weeks ago. That's less certain now, but there's nothing to suggest they cannot get the job done if everyone executes their assignments effectively.
The pressure is on in no uncertain terms. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players firmly on the hot seat entering Week 13 at Northwest Stadium.
Commanders players on the hot seat entering Week 13 vs. Titans
Jeremy McNichols - Commanders RB
The Washington Commanders could be counting on running back Jeremy McNichols more than ever in this one. It's not ideal, but the NFL is a next-man-up league.
Austin Ekeler is in the NFL's concussion protocol after a vicious hit against the Dallas Cowboys. Brian Robinson Jr. is dealing with an ankle sprain, but the former third-round selection out of Alabama seemed confident he could contribute in some capacity versus the Tennessee Titans.
Even if Robinson suits up, he's unlikely to be 100 percent. McNichols is next in line if Ekeler cannot go as expected. He's been used sparingly so far, but expect the Commanders to involve him heavily against one of the league's most stingy run defenses.
McNichols is averaging 4.9 yards per carry from 44 touches this season. If the Boise State product can maintain this number with increased involvement this weekend, that should help the Commanders end their concerning three-game slump.