The Washington Commanders snapped a three-game losing streak with a 24-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. It was a tale of two halves offensively for Washington, as quarterback Sam Howell started hot, passing for two first-half touchdowns.
Howell also led the Commanders to another touchdown on their first second-half possession, but after that, Washington punted four times and ended the game with a kneel-down on its final possession.
Fortunately for the Commanders, they also forced three second-half turnovers and did an outstanding job of shutting down Atlanta’s powerful running game.
Did Sunday’s win move Washington up in the various NFL power rankings?
We go around the media world for the latest power rankings ahead of Week 7.
ESPN
Last week: No. 21
Washington ranks ahead of only five teams in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.6), and the Commanders have allowed the most pass plays of 25 yards or more (16). This from a group that limited such gains in the second half of last season (11 in final 8 games) and added first-round corner Emmanuel Forbes and second-round safety/slot corner Jartavis Martin. However, Forbes, the Commanders’ third corner, was benched after five games, and Martin has played just six snaps from scrimmage. The group excelled in the zone match coverage last season but has struggled with it in 2023. Washington’s run defense has been good at times — it shut down Philadelphia’s D’Andre Swift and Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson. But the inconsistencies in the pass defense remain the biggest issue.
CBS Sports
Last week: No. 26
That was a big-time road victory against the Falcons. The defense, which had been awful, came up big.
Yahoo Sports
Last week: No. 25
The Commanders are a weird 3-3 team. They seem much worse than their record. On Sunday they were outgained by the Falcons 402-193 and somehow won. It’s not the time to buy the Commanders as a team that can slide into the playoffs.
The Athletic
Last week: No. 28
The Commanders have won one of their last four games, and that came Sunday when they were outgained 402-193 by a Falcons team that turned the ball over three times. Sam Howell, who is on pace to be sacked an NFL-record 96 times, has been a roller coaster, but the defense has been a disappointment, allowing 5.7 yards per play, which ranks 27th in the league.
NFL.com
Last week: No. 26
This was a hidden-yards victory in Atlanta, if there ever was one. Jamison Crowder’s 61-yard punt return tilted the game back in Washington’s favor early, setting up a Commanders touchdown that put them ahead for good. Kendall Fuller’s pick and 23-yard return stunted the Falcons’ momentum two minutes into the second half. Washington also stymied Atlanta twice on fourth down, grabbed a red-zone interception and stopped a late two-point attempt. The defense picked off Desmond Ridder three times and consistently gave the offense great field position. It was just strong, complementary football for four quarters — and a massive departure from the egg the Commanders laid against the Bears in Week 5. But, please, can we keep Sam Howell from getting hit so much?
USA TODAY Sports
Last week: No. 27
With four of their next six against NFC East opponents, including both games against the Giants, Washington could well be entering a stretch that determines its season … and quite possibly HC Ron Rivera’s viability beyond 2023.
Bleacher Report
Last week: No. 24
After dropping three straight, the Washington Commanders needed a win any way they could get one. They got that badly needed victory Sunday in Atlanta, but it was an ugly win.
Quarterback Sam Howell threw three touchdown passes without an interception—but he barely cleared 150 passing yards. For the second week in a row, Washington’s ground game was stuck in mud, managing just 72 rushing yards on 22 carries. The Commanders had just 193 yards of offense and were outgained by a margin of well over 2-to-1.
However, where the Commanders took care of the football, the Falcons turned it over three times—and those turnovers made all the difference.
Cleaning things up had best happen quickly—three of Washington’s next four games are on the road, and the lone home date is with an Eagles team that just beat the Commanders in Week 4.
Sharp Football Analysis
Last week: No. 29
Pro Football Talk
Last week: No. 25
They’re staying in the hunt for the No. 7 seed.
FOX Sports
Last week: No. 22
All three of Sam Howell’s touchdowns came on short fields that were provided by Atlanta miscues, but that’s not his fault. The Washington offense didn’t need a big day when the defense nearly doubled its takeaway total for the season.
Sporting News
Last week: No. 24
The Commanders played with more passion and energy on the road in Atlanta, playing up to more of their defensive big-play potential. It’s still not so pretty with Sam Howell spreading the ball all around but they’re consistently inconsistent.
Action Network
Last week: No. 24
I genuinely cannot believe the Washington Football Team made it out of my bottom 10…
The Score
Last week: No. 27
Be careful not to blame the Commanders’ offensive line for the 34 sacks allowed this far. Sam Howell’s pocket presence is washing out some of the impressive things the young quarterback is doing elsewhere.
