The Washington Commanders are currently enduring an exceptionally challenging stretch, marked by a staggering four-game losing streak in which they have been outscored by a disheartening total of 89 points. The team’s difficulties have been compounded by the unfortunate returns of key players such as star quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, both of whom have sustained new injuries shortly after coming back. On the defensive side, head coach Dan Quinn has taken over play-calling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. in response to a struggling unit that has consistently failed to perform.
Amid this turmoil, one of the Commanders’ early-season strengths—namely, their run game—has become a shadow of its former self. The team faces significant challenges in revitalizing the efforts of running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who initially showcased considerable promise but has since fallen off dramatically.
At the beginning of the season, Washington’s rushing attack was formidable, even after the preseason trade of Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers and the loss of Austin Ekeler to a season-ending torn Achilles. During the first five weeks, the rotational backfield, including Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Jeremy McNichols, consistently ranked among the league leaders in rushing yards per game.
Croskey-Merritt’s performance peaked in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he delivered a standout performance with 150 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. This impressive showing seemed to validate the offseason hype surrounding him, and he led all eligible running backs in the NFL in yards per carry at that time. Expectations were high as Washington faced two teams—with notably poor rushing defenses—in the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys.
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However, rather than capitalizing on this favorable match-up, Croskey-Merritt has been largely ineffective over the past month. Several contributing factors appear to have led to his downturn. Like many rookies, he is facing challenges as opposing defenses have begun to adjust their game plans in response to him. Known for his shifty style, Croskey-Merritt typically waits for openings before accelerating through the holes, but lately, defenses have successfully limited his opportunities to find those gaps.
Compounding these issues is a lack of creative scheming from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who has failed to design plays that leverage Croskey-Merritt’s strengths on the edge. More critically, the team has not been in a position to establish a run game due to consistently playing from behind in their recent losses, resulting in a shift towards more passing plays.
In football, the running back’s performance is highly contingent on the surrounding structure of the team—both offensively and defensively. For the Commanders to restore Croskey-Merritt’s effectiveness and reignite their ground game, a collective effort to stabilize team performance is essential. Moving forward, the Commanders’ success will hinge on not only addressing Croskey-Merritt’s challenges but also creating a more balanced offensive approach that can effectively integrate the run.
