The Washington Commanders (3-8) head back to the gridiron in Week 13 for a huge Sunday Night Football matchup with the Denver Broncos after a much-needed bye.
What they did not leave behind is the number that has shadowed this entire season and refuses to go away.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon noted in a story over the team’s break the “1 stat” that has been derailing the 2025-26 season.
The Commanders are allowing 8.9 yards per opponent pass attempt — the worst figure in the NFL by a full yard.
That same breakdown has the Commanders with a league-high ten completions of forty or more yards allowed.
Put that next to the official team numbers and the picture sharpens. Opponents have thrown for 249.5 yards per game (fourth-highest in the NFL).
Commanders Defense That Was Supposed To Carry Now Gives Teams A Shortcut
Washington built this roster expecting the defense to hold things together while the offense grew into itself around quarterback Jayden Daniels. Instead, the secondary has been picked on — allowing a much higher opponent PYPG average than in 2024 (197.7).
The Commanders now run straight into a Denver team that has moved in the opposite direction. The Broncos arrive at 9–2, winners of eight straight, sitting a half-game off the top seed in the AFC.
Daniels will miss his sixth game of the season for Washington and his third straight with a dislocated left elbow. The offense will again belong to backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. The one beam of light is wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s return after missing seven of the last eight games with a quad injury.
“I don’t really have any tightness in my injury area,” McLaurin said. “I feel like my acceleration is there, just kind of that next gear that I have.”
McLaurin has appeared in just four games this season — catching 13 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown. Getting him going on Sunday night would be a huge step for the future.
Wide receiver Noah Brown remains out. Mariota said McLaurin’s presence alone reshapes the field.
“Being able just to create matchups in our favor and create advantages,” Mariota said. “We like our matchups with any of those guys outside and then add that on top of what Deebo and Zach can do inside, I think that creates a lot of versatility.”
That “versatility” now runs straight into a Broncos defense that rarely gives free yards and a team that knows exactly what it is playing for.
Even the weather could carry weight. Payton has already flagged potential cold and rain and noted Washington’s field was resodded during the bye, leaving neither team with true footing history on it.
The Bye Week Brought More Clarity Than Comfort
The Commanders’ 3-8 standing fits the profile. It is chasing growth. Dan Quinn, in his second season, acknowledged that younger players will see expanded roles as the final stretch becomes more about evaluation than urgency.
“There are some people that I think are making those steps,” Quinn said on November 28, via ESPN. He pointed to linebacker Jordan Magee and wide receiver Jacoby Jones as players beginning to press forward.
That future-focused lens does not change what waits Sunday night.
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