2023 NFL Power Rankings: Washington Commanders

Young riser: LB Jamin Davis

Quarterback Sam Howell could be this person by season's end (and many would have predicted receiver Jahan Dotson at season's start), but Davis has been the under-25 player who has been the most consistent. He has one interception and one forced fumble and more than half of his tackles have been for gains of 3 yards or less. Davis, 24, is playing more decisive vs. the run and is one sack shy of his career high (3.0). -- John Keim

The 3-4 record cosmetically hides the fact that two of those losses came to the previously 0-4 Bears and now the Giants, who entered Sunday at 1-5. Sam Howell has done some good things, and we know Washington has dudes at receiver ... So why is the offense so painfully inconsistent? It goes without saying that an O-line that allows six sacks and commits seven penalties is a big reason why. Every one of the sacks was for minus-7 yards or worse. Howell must play with more awareness, but what about OC Eric Bieniemy and OL coach Travelle Wharton? They had no answers for the Giants' stunts and blitzes all game. Just another step backward after the 2-0 start.

The offensive line is awful and Sam Howell is taking a beating. He's been sacked 40 times. That's disgraceful.

They were 1-for-15 on third down in Sunday's loss to the Giants, dropping their NFC-worst conversion rate to 29.4%. Can you blame Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen for his 100% expletive rate?

One question: Is this team in the chase for a top-two pick?

The Commanders would be picking 14th if the season ended right now, so they've got work to do, but there's plenty of time. Washington has the fourth-toughest remaining schedule, according to Tankathon, and it needs a quarterback. Sam Howell had a rating of 60.5 and was sacked six more times on Sunday. Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen has clearly had enough (see below). You know new owner Josh Harris would love a shot to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

Jonathan Allen expressed his frustration with his team's lack of success in recent years following a 14-7 loss to the Giants on Sunday....@BenStandig shares details ⤵️https://t.co/RxqvqoS7PK pic.twitter.com/eKl1BkVADq

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 22, 2023

The blowout loss to Chicago was bad enough, and now the Commanders score just 7 points against a paper-thin Giants team. Washington's not going to be favored in too many more games, so these missed opportunities start to pile up.

Commanders defensive lineman Jonathan Allen went off after an ugly loss Sunday. It's hard to blame him. He can see that Washington isn't going anywhere. Losing to that Giants team, which was scrambling just to find five offensive linemen to start with all of their injury issues, tells you how bad Washington is this season.

Will Magic Johnson try to hire Pat Riley to coach the team next year?

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