The Commanders still have a long way to go.
asserted
Commanders → have → way
But they’re still in the playoff mix, and that’s all they could’ve asked for after Thursday’s win over the Giants.
uncertain
they → ’re → Giants
Washington (3-5-1) is now two games behind NFC East-leading New York (5-3-1), which keeps the Commanders in the playoff chase for at least another week.
asserted
which → lead → week
Had they lost, they would’ve been four games down for the division lead with eight games left, which almost certainly would’ve ended all realistic chances of a playoff appearance.
asserted
which → lose → appearance
Now, they hope, the season’s momentum has swung back in their favor.
asserted
momentum → hope → favor
“It means everything,” tight end Ben Sinnott said after the game.
asserted
Sinnott → mean → game
“The highs and lows of this year and just trusting that we have the team and that constant battle in your mind.
asserted
we → trust → mind
Whatever everybody else is saying, we don’t worry about that.
asserted
we → say → that
Just take one day at a time, put in the work, know what we have and show up on a Sunday.
asserted
we → take → Sunday
I guess on Thursday now.”
asserted
I → guess → Thursday
With a five-game stretch before Christmas that includes the Bengals, Cardinals, Titans, Texans and Falcons, the Commanders have kept themselves alive in the playoff hunt.
asserted
Commanders → include → hunt
“I mean, it was a big win,” linebacker Sonny Styles said.
asserted
Styles → mean → ?
“But this win isn’t going to turn the whole season.
asserted
win → go → season
We’ve got to keep pushing and keep going and keep getting better and winning a lot more games.”
asserted
We → get → games
The late comeback, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, certainly spurred thoughts of the dramatic 2024 season — Washington’s last trip to the postseason.
asserted
comeback → lead → postseason
If the Commanders want to make it to the playoffs again, the end of the regular season will have to look similar to the way Thursday night did.
asserted
night → want → way
“One word: resiliency,” defensive end Deatrich Wise said of the team’s play against the Giants.
asserted
Wise → say → Giants
“That’s what we had going into this fourth quarter.
asserted
we → ’ → quarter
There was a lot of ups and downs, but we stayed focus.
asserted
we → be → ups
We were unfazed throughout the whole thing.
asserted
We → unfaze → thing
Every opportunity that came our way, we conquered it and then we moved into the next challenge.”
What’s working
The kicking game.
asserted
working → come → game
Rookie kicker Drew Stevens made all four of his kicks on Thursday, three of which were extra points.
asserted
three → make → which
He is 17 of 20 on field-goal attempts this season, with his misses all coming from 50-plus yards.
asserted
all → come → yards
He has made 15 of 18 extra-point attempts.
asserted
He → make → attempts
In a season that has had a bevy of issues related to game management situations, Stevens has been a pleasant addition.
asserted
Stevens → have → situations
What needs help
The rushing attack.
asserted
needs → need → help
Rachaad White had a few nice runs but totaled just 47 yards on 11 carries — with an 18-yard rush in that mix.
asserted
White → have → mix
Daniels had 28 yards on 11 attempts, while Austin Ekeler had 26 yards on nine rushes.
asserted
Ekeler → have → rushes
As the Commanders continue playing without wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who is out for the season, and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who has been out for four games, they’ll need skill position players to step up.
asserted
players → continue → games
The third-year tight end had four catches for 42 yards and a touchdown against the Giants.
asserted
end → have → Giants
Before Thursday, he had just one catch for 6 yards this season.
asserted
he → have → yards
He committed two penalties, including another false start, against the Giants on Thursday night.
asserted
He → commit → night
Playing in place of an injured Laremy Tunsil, Coleman has had an up and down season — and pre-snap penalties have plagued the Commanders since Week 1.
asserted
penalties → play → Week
Injury report
Tight end Chig Okonkwo left in the second quarter with a back injury, though he returned after halftime.
asserted
he → leave → halftime
Center Lucas Patrick missed the game with a concussion, and tight end Colson Yankoff was out with a knee injury.
asserted
Yankoff → miss → injury
While the team won’t practice until next week, the team will have a longer break to get ready for long break between games.
asserted
team → practice → games
Key number
42 — Years since Washington last went unbeaten against New York in six consecutive games, a streak from 1981-84.
asserted
Washington → go → 1981
The current streak includes the tie on Oct. 11.
asserted
streak → include → Oct.
Up next
Commanders host the Bengals on Monday, Nov. 23.
asserted
Commanders → host → Monday
AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.
asserted
Whyno → contribute → report
The Aporia
