Washington Commanders Whiteboard: Notes and observations from Week 5

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 11: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders runs for a touchdown in front of Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the New York Giants during the second half of the NFL game at Northwest Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Before the advent of media devices, football coaches at all levels used simple whiteboards to outline plays, map out player positions and explain schemes in real time. Nowadays digital playbooks and tablets have taken over, but coaches still use whiteboards on occasion to impart information quickly and effectively. The following are some quick notes and observations from the Washington Commanders 27-27 tie in Landover.

The defense crumbled in the second half again

After effectively limiting Jameis Winston to 7-of-16 for 72 passing yards and 0 TDs in the first half, Daronte Jones' defense came apart in the second half once again, as Winston went 13-for-17 for 141 passing yards and 2 TDs in the fourth quarter. At one point, Daronte Jones had Daron Payne dropping into coverage. Fans will also note how far off the line of scrimmage the secondary was on the play, and Isiah Likely is given ten free yards in the red zone. The team's annual struggles to cover tight ends continue, as Isaiah Likely hauled in 11 receptions for 94 yards and two TDs.

The team did continue to blitz at times in the second half, but the pressure didn't get home and Jameis burned the secondary in Cover 0. Ultimately, the Washington Commanders fell just short of allowing their fourth game of 30 or more points in as many weeks. It took multiple missed field goals and some turnovers from the Giants offense to prevent it.

This is a fireable and borderline criminal call by Washington DC Daronte Jones.

They have a 4th & 7 here to essentially end the game. They bring a blitz and have DT Daron Payne drop back and essentially be responsible for the ENTIRE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD. pic.twitter.com/jPxmFiRSzQ

- Gain of Fauci (@DschlopesIsBack) October 11, 2026

The Commanders ran Cover 0 15 times against the Giants. 12 times in the second half. Jameis completed 6-10 vs. Cover 0 and threw 2 TDs.

- Jamual (@LetMualTellit) October 12, 2026

The #Commanders' defense blitzed on 39% of the Giants' dropbacks per NFL Pro, but didn't have as much success. They had just two sacks and a pressure rate of 33.9%. That helped Jameis Winston light up the secondary for 326 yards and 3 TDs.

- Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) October 12, 2026

The Washington Commanders' defense once again won the turnover battle, but their inability to stop offenses from scoring in the second half makes this defense one of the worst in the league. The team ranks dead last in second half scoring and red zone defense. The poor defensive performance was underscored by the fact the Giants were starting backup quarterback Jameis Winston behind center.

David Blough lacked situational awareness

After having some success early, offensive coordinator David Blough failed to adjust as defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson brought increased pressure, coming after Jayden Daniels with blitzes on 62% of his drop backs, the same thing the defensive coordinator did the week before in Arizona. The rookie coordinator continued to call long-developing plays downfield in the face of the rush instead of providing quick options for Daniels to use as outlets.

Blough also went away from Bill Merritt, who was successful for much of the game, but finished the day with only 11 rushing attempts and 22 total offensive snaps. Paired with Brandon Coleman's struggles, the offense sputtered as Blough went with a predictable formula throughout the second half and failed to produce any points in the most critical part of the game.

They picked up the blitz. Can't block 8 people. Have to have a hot option for the QB https://t.co/aQwosODdjh

- Nick Akridge (@nick_akridge) October 11, 2026

The #Commanders couldn't even get a FG attempt in the final 2 minutes.

They had the ball on

The 48 yd line with 1:36 in 4th
The 50 yd line with 5:00 in OT
The 25 yd line with 0:13 in OT

Inexcusable! I'm done with having a conservative coach! #RaiseHail

- SJM (@DMVCommanders) October 11, 2026

Of course, Blough's awareness could not have been worse than in the final seconds of overtime. The clock showed 55 seconds at the end of the previous play, but the offense showed no urgency to get up to the line before or after the final play. A play that frankly should never have been called.

There are still playmakers on the team

While the signing was panned by many at the time, Amik Robertson has turned out to be the best free agent addition of the off season thus far. The cornerback continues to get called with questionable penalties, but has been sticky in coverage and shown well as a tackler, which is a key component of Daronte Jones' scheme.

Sam Cosmi also returned to the lineup and immediately made his presence felt as Bill exploded up the interior early for his 33-yard touchdown run. Cosmi also helped clear out one side of the defensive line on Jayden Daniels' long touchdown run.

#Commanders coverage stats of note per NFL Pro:

- CB Rasul Douglas: 7 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD
- CB Mike Sainristil: 4 catches, 69 yards, 1 TD
- LB Sonny Styles: 4 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD
- CB Fabian Moreau: 4 catches, 33 yards
- CB Amik Robertson: 3 catches, 30 yards

- Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) October 12, 2026

Amik Robertson is a STRONG tackler for a Corner.#RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/XIhbWOLK4b

- Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 11, 2026

The longest rushing TD of Jayden Daniels' career: pic.twitter.com/ior8NRqL1C

- Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) October 11, 2026

Terry McLaurin was roasted by many fans after turning in limited practices all week but gutted it out in this one and led the team in receiving despite playing about half of the total offensive snaps. The veteran wide receiver made plays when they were needed, including a 2-point conversion and 22-yard catch-and-run in overtime.

Sonny Styles was all over the field on Sunday, finishing the day with 13 total tackles, 4 solo, a tackle for a loss. The rookie also teamed up with Daron Payne for a critical forced fumble in overtime.

Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels connect for a big chunk of much needed yards. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/RuBN9kfwKl

- Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 11, 2026

FUMBLE

Sonny Styles forces the Skattebo fumble and this game is still alive.

Insane.#RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/X8Z5S9iB8G

- Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) October 11, 2026

There is no bigger playmaker on the team than their franchise quarterback, and Jayden Daniels was electric running the ball and making pays off script in his return. He did make a critical error on the final play, but was put in a bad position when Chris Paul stepped on his foot yet again. In 13 personnel with his only receiving option to the sideline covered, Daniels was left with only two wide receivers in the middle of the field that weren't options. Yes, Jayden made a huge mistake by not throwing the ball out of bounds, but there are bigger issues higher up the chain that need to be addressed.

Jayden Daniels yesterday:

- 91.9 passer rating
- 200 passing yards w/ 68% completion rate
- 103 rushing yards & 2TDs on 9 rushes
- 80.6 QBR

I'll rock with 5 forever #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/q46aEJKhPY

- brady (@burgermanders) October 12, 2026

According to #Commanders HC Dan Quinn, the final play of the game was intended to be an outside throw to Ben Sinnott (#82) pic.twitter.com/YXGF0nGE4p

- brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) October 12, 2026

The team's coaching staff needs a hard reboot

While Dan Quinn was applauded for making the bold move to hire two rookie coordinators in the offseason, so far the gamble hasn't paid off and the team is 1-3-1 five weeks into the season. Jones has improved the takeaways, but is failing where it counts when if comes to the box score. While some of it might be personnel related, as Trey Amos and Nick Cross have both been out, as a long-time secondary coach, Jones signed off on a good portion of the players.

David Blough looked to be progressing in a linear fashion, but yesterday's game shows there is still a lot for him to learn. Dan Quinn hasn't seemed to give him the necessary oversight and assistance, and it is past time for Anthony Lynn to be more involved. There was the two-point conversion in Philadelphia, going for it on 4th down in London, and now Sunday's debacle, but Quinn's questionable decisions go back much farther. Leaving Jayden Daniels in during a blowout loss to Seattle last season stands out amongst others.

The hiring of Joe Whitt Jr. as his defensive coordinator was also heavily scrutinized and for a coach who's philosophy is rooted in the defensive side of the ball, Dan Quinn's teams haven't shown it. The Washington Commanders only have three wins in their last seventeen games under his leadership and while his players have proven incredibly loyal up until this point, their reactions post game indicate the team may have finally reached a tipping point. While the ownership and Adam Peters may not decide to do it right away, the franchise needs a hard reboot of the coaching staff starting with a head coach that can't seem to find any answers for the team's multitude of problems.

Dan Quinn was beside himself after the game. Threw his headset and then just stood there at the 25. pic.twitter.com/I5NDCmnUd8

- Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 11, 2026