The Washington Commanders improved to 8-5 in Week 13 during a home matchup against the Tennessee Titans, their final AFC opponent of the season, Dec. 1. The Titans (3-9) entered Northwest Stadium as 5.5 point underdogs, according to ESPN, but the Commanders (8-5) were coming off of a three-game losing streak with their latest loss to rival Dallas Cowboys.
Entering Week 13 represented a must-win game to boost momentum heading into their bye week and the remainder of the season as they continue fighting for their first playoff appearance since 2020. Veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner, without the coach’s prompting, spoke to the team, which Head Coach Dan Quinn said “was the catalyst at the very beginning of the week.”
Rookie quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels secured a statement win, throwing for 206 yards with an 83.3% completion percentage and 3 touchdowns, 2 of which went to star receiver Terry McLaurin. The defense and special teams equally contributed to the victory as the offense, forcing 2 fumbles and ultimately holding the Titans to 19 points.
The game started off in favor of the Commanders, who forced a quick three-and-out for Tennessee quarterback Will Levis and the Titans. Washington answered with a three-play drive capped off by running back Brian Robinson Jr.’s 40-yard touchdown run to take an early 7-0 lead. The Commanders continued their momentum with another drive down the field for 80 yards in 11 plays, punctuated with an athletic Daniels scramble for a touchdown, increasing their lead to 14-0. After rookie second-round pick cornerback Mike Sainristil (Michigan) forced and recovered a fumble at the Tennessee 24-yard line, the Commanders put another touchdown on the board with a pass from Daniels to McLaurin, commanding a 21-0 lead. The chaos continued with another fumble forced by Washington’s special teams to close out the first quarter, giving the Commanders the reins.
Entering the second quarter, the Commanders’ offense started their drive from the Tennessee 34-yard line and capped it off with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to McLaurin, his second of the day, earning a dominant 28-0 lead over the Titans. After another three-and-out from the Titans, the Commanders marched down the field, but were held to a 46-yard field goal attempt from kicker Zane Gonzalez, which sailed wide right and represented his first miss of the season.
The Tennessee offense then received the ball with two minutes left in the first half, hoping to turn the tide of the game. Levis and the Titans marched down the field and closed the drive off with a 27-yard touchdown to wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine –– their first touchdown of the day and his 7th touchdown in 8 games –– closing out the half on a more positive note.
Starting the second half, the Commanders suffered two early penalties, pushing them back and forcing a three-and-out. The Titans’ offense returned from the locker room looking more secure and composed, and produced two back-to-back drives with field goals from kicker Nick Folk, scoring 13 unanswered points. The Commanders quickly answered with a touchdown of their own, however; a short pass to veteran tight end Zach Ertz would be his 50th career touchdown and his 4th of the season for the Commanders, bringing the total score to 35-13 at the start of the fourth quarter.
With the game coming to a close, the Titans looked to make an unprecedented comeback on the Commanders’ home turf, and with another missed field goal from Gonzalez, it seemed possible. Levis threw a pass to Westbrook-Ikhine, who scored his second touchdown and his 8th in 8 games, in a two-minute drive. Following the touchdown, they attempted a two-point conversion which fell short with an incomplete pass to wide receiver Tyler Boyd. During the final quarter, the Commanders looked to close out the game through their offense, and did so by scoring their 6th touchdown with running back Chris Rodriguez’s 7-yard run, ending the game with a final score of 42-19.
The Commanders will look to finish off the season strong, as they will face the New Orleans Saints in Week 15 after a bye week, and will later close out the season against NFC East rivals Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. They suffered losses against both earlier in the season. If the Commanders finish the season in this form, they will be in the hunt for a playoff berth.
