Tom Schad

Lots of super interesting stuff in here from Bluesky-less Adam Kilgore, on David Mulugheta. Worth your time.

Terrific work here on parlays, replete with data on just how lucrative they are for sportsbooks.

Craziest stat to me: In Maryland, parlays have made up 36% of sports bet spend this year -- and 67% of sportsbooks' revenue.

Caleb vs. Jayden? It’s deeper than that for the Bears and Commanders. Chicago and Washington might have their franchise quarterbacks, but there are various ways to build around them.

As much as Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams will be compared, what's just as important is how their respective franchises build around them.

With the #Commanders set to host the Bears on MNF, I broke down how each team has fared in that process 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

The WR injury report from today's practice:

- Terry McLaurin was out there, but not in pads and working off to the side.

- Noah Brown was in pads and going through drills.

- Did not see Deebo Samuel Sr. (FWIW: He was a DNP for two days last week with a heel injury, then returned and played.)

It's (finally) starting to feel like fall here in Ashburn.

Jayden Daniels not all that interested in reliving the Hail Maryland from last year's matchup vs. Chicago.

"That Hail Mary ain't going to help us win the game on Monday, so what's the point?" he said.

Dan Quinn says Noah Brown will be at practice today. Terry McLaurin will not. Team will monitor both players as the week goes on.

sorry we weren't able to get to this question in the mailbag. Not sure which specific play(s) you're referring to, but my answer would probably be the same: It depends. At times, could be a mixed bag.

sorry we weren't able to get to this question in the mailbag. Honestly, I think it's hard to evaluate an individual coach's performance in a fair, substantive way. Even tougher with injury issues. But certainly think some of the fan criticism of Whitt has been hyperbolic

Sincere thanks to everyone who sent questions for our first mailbag.

If y'all have #Commanders questions in non-mailbag weeks -- or story ideas, feedback, tips, etc. -- please don't ever hesitate to get in touch at tom.schad@washpost.com.

Mailbag: How good are the Commanders? There’s no easy answer. We took your questions — on stars such as Jayden Daniels and Deebo Samuel Sr., plus role players such as Brandon Coleman and Luke McCaffrey.

In today's #Commanders mailbag, @tashanreed.bsky.social and I talk:

- Biggest surprise of the season
- Buy/sell/hold on Lattimore
- Defensive inconsistencies
- Whether McCaffrey should get more targets
- 2026 draft needs (yes, really)

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

@tashanreed.bsky.social and I are rolling out a #Commanders mailbag this week.

What's your most pressing question about this team? What are y'all curious about?

No question is too granular. Bonus points for creativity.

Column | This isn’t 2024, but the 2025 Commanders are proving resilient, too After a somewhat ugly start — to both the game and the season — Washington shows it can still be a force by beating the Chargers on the road.

"This isn’t the 2024 Commanders. They won’t have a 12-5 record this time," @jerrybrewer.bsky.social writes. "... But there’s still something about this team." www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

The Commanders get mad, get even and get going in the right direction All those angry outbursts Sunday? That’s Washington’s way of showing some urgency this season.

Three #Commanders leaders — first Bobby Wagner, then Dan Quinn, then Jayden Daniels — had emotional outbursts Sunday.

"That's something we need," Laremy Tunsil said.

How the team held itself to a higher standard in comeback win over Chargers 🔗⤵️ www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Hail or Fail: Bill breaks out, and Jayden Daniels feels right at home The good and the bad from Washington’s win over the Chargers, including two huge takeaways and a game-sealing 99-yard drive.

A look at the good (Hail!) and bad (Fail!) from the Washington Commanders’ 27-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

If these snap counts are correct, #Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt racked up 150 yards and 16 touches on just 28 snaps.

That's about 9.4 yards per touch, which is crazy. And 5.4 yards *per snap* -- which might be even crazier.

The stats before/after that 2Q fumble are wild.

For the #Chargers...
Before: 26 plays, 167 yds (6.4 yds per play)
After: 38 plays, 169 yds (4.4 ypp)

For the #Commanders...
Before: 8 plays, 30 yds (3.8 ypp)
After: 47 plays, 359 yds (7.6 ypp)

An L.A. story: Commanders force fumble, and Chargers crumble With Jayden Daniels back under center, Washington takes charge after a second-quarter turnover and rolls past Los Angeles.

Momentum is real. Today, it came on Quan Martin's hit in the 2nd quarter, and felt to the #Commanders defense like "a gasp of air." www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

You saw a few instances of the #Commanders D hunting for turnovers and pressing vs. Atlanta. Joe Whitt Jr. said guys were trying to put on capes.

Martin's forced fumble had the opposite effect.

"When we’re getting turnovers, it’s like (exhales). We’re good," Frankie Luvu said.

The #Commanders defense has drawn a lot of criticism. Sometimes guys try to use that as motivation. Not Jeremy Reaves.

"Football, it’s all ebbs and flows, right?" he said. "It’s not a game of perfect. It’s a game of effort. You can’t pay attention to that outside stuff."

Asked #Commanders safety Quan Martin if he was going for the ball on that forced fumble in the second quarter. Not really, he said.

"I'm just like ‘hit him as hard as I can,'" he said. "Violence solves everything."

Final: #Commanders 27, Chargers 10

The defense doubles its takeaway total from the first 4 games. Jayden Daniels returns and wins in his home state. And Bill runs roughshod, on just 14 carries.

Jayden Daniels was fuming at the end of that drive. Almost had back-to-back delay of game penalties. Commanders settle for a 36-yard FG from Matt Gay.

Commanders 20, Chargers 10 with 5:49 left in 3Q

FOX reported that Dan Quinn was screaming at halftime, telling his players to keep up the urgency. He'll likely be thrilled with that drive.

7 plays, 69 yards -- capped by another Bill touchdown run.

Commanders 17, Chargers 10 with 10:58 left in 3Q

Halftime thoughts...

1) That deep ball to McCaffrey is what WAS has been missing so far this season. Need defenses to respect it. Chargers will have to do so now.

2) A well-time turnover can cover up a lot of legit defensive issues.

3) ST penalties = game-changers.

Roughing the punter by LA + 50-yard bomb to Luke McCaffrey = A 29-yard field goal by Matt Gay to tie the game at 10 just before halftime.

Commanders get the ball to open the second half.

a little bit more juice on that last offensive drive, but yeah, agree. Another sluggish start.

There's Bill. Untouched around the left edge from 15 yards out. He's up to 45 yards on 5 carries now.

Chargers 10, Commanders 7 with 4:15 left in 2Q

Man did the #Commanders need that. Quan Martin lowers his shoulder and forces a fumble after a completion to Quentin Johnston. Marson Lattimore recovers. It's the team's second turnover of the year.

How can you get better at tackling if you don’t practice tackling? After “too many” missed tackles in their deflating loss to Atlanta, the Commanders face a common football paradox.

Hate to be the guy that references his story from earlier in the week, but... missed tackles. Lots of 'em again today. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...