Team Profile
Washington Commanders
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20.9% 2ndOff DVOA
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50.4% 2ndPassing DVOA
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5.2% 8thRushing DVOA
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6.8% 25thDef DVOA
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10.2% 18thDef Passing DVOA
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3.4% 26thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For26.2 6th
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Points Against22.8 19th
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Yards Per Game377.0 4th
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Yards Allowed Per Game325.0 15th
Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels flirted with perfection on Monday night as he went 21-for-23 with 254 passing yards and two scores. He added 40 yards and a score on 11 carries on the ground. After earning his first professional victory last week against the Giants, the former number-two overall pick took a significant step forward this evening. Daniels was poised in the pocket all night and had his best game as a passer. After Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler punched in the first two scores on the ground, Daniels took the rest of the game into his own hands as he ran in a score before halftime and threw two passing scores in the second half, including his first-ever passing score that came from the one-yard line to lineman Trent Scott. Later in the fourth, Daniels would throw the eventual game-winning score to his No.1 wideout Terry McLaurin from 27 yards out. Fantasy managers should view the former LSU Tiger as a QB1 going forward, as not only did he flash the elite upside as a runner, but he was beginning to settle in as a passer. He is a must-start next week as he travels to the desert to face the Cardinals.
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) won't return to Monday's meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals. The veteran had only three touches. However, he ran for 35 yards and scored a touchdown off a 24-yard carry in the second quarter, adding two catches for 22 yards. Ekeler hasn't been the reliable fantasy option he was during his time with the Los Angeles Chargers. But after finding the end zone on Monday night, fantasy managers will monitor his health more closely heading into the Commanders' Week 4 game versus the Arizona Cardinals. With Ekeler out of the equation, Jeremy McNichols should get the scraps left over by Brian Robinson Jr. for the remainder of Week 3.
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (head) is uncertain to return to Monday's Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The veteran back is currently being evaluated for a concussion after hitting his head during the third quarter of Monday's game. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Commanders play it safe and hold out Ekeler for the rest of the game. Before exiting, Ekeler rushed three times for 35 yards with a touchdown on the ground. He also hauled in both his targets for 22 yards in the receiving game. His absence should mean more playing time for fellow back Brian Robinson Jr. during the second half of this game.
Washington Commanders kicker Austin Seibert had one of the best debuts a kicker could have. In his first game in the DMV, Seibert went 7-for-7 on attempts, scoring every point in the victory over the New York Giants. Seibert's leg was not tested from too deep, as his longest kick was 45 yards. However, given the preseason and Week 1 struggles, having a stable kicker will greatly improve this offense. While the 27-year-old has bounced around several teams throughout his eight-year career, he may have found a new home and is worth a look as a streamer in deep 14+ team leagues in a game on Monday night that is projected to be high-scoring with a hefty 47 point spread.
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz led the Commanders with 62 yards (on four receptions) in their victory over the New York Giants last week. Ertz served as a go-to option for the rookie QB all afternoon and looks to reclaim that same role against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Commanders lack a proven No.2 pass catcher, allowing running back Austin Ekeler and Ertz to have productive fantasy games. Fantasy managers should expect Ertz to see a solid workload in a game where the Commanders will likely be trailing, as they are currently 7.5-point underdogs. Ertz may not have a lot of upside, but he does provide a safe floor at a position that is filled with several injuries to top options like George Kittle (hamstring), Evan Engram (hamstring), and David Njoku (ankle).