The Commanders are back over .500 after clinching victory over the Chargers on the road for the first time since 1986. Running back Bill Croskey-Merritt, safety Quan Martin and cornerback Mike Sainristil produced impact performances in the 27-10 win at SoFi Stadium.

Bill Croskey-Merritt

The rookie rising star continued his head-turning ways in Week 5 as a go-to weapon on offense for the Commanders. Washington had put itself in a hole to start the contest at SoFi and was in prime position to put up some much-needed points with about four minutes to go in the half. On second-and-1 in the red zone, Croskey-Merritt picked up the ball from Daniels' and ran untouched for the score.

Croskey-Merritt emerged as the guy yet again as Washington's offense got rolling in the to start the second half. This time, the #22 popped up as a receiving threat. Daniels dumped it off to the running back who once again scampered to the left and into the endzone. That gave Washington the lead, and the team never looked back.

A fumble in the fourth was a mere blip in Bill's overall stellar day. In addition to notching his first multi-touchdown game, the seventh rounder recorded his first 100+ yard game. Croskey-Merritt already has one Rookie of the Week belt to his name in 2025, and this performance could put him in the running for another.

Quan Martin

The clash against the Chargers did not get off to the start Washington would have liked. As has been the case in a few games this season, both sides of the ball struggled to find their rhythm, and with most of the first half gone, the Commanders found themselves trailing by 10.

Then, Quan Martin made a tackle to knock the ball loose. Marshan Lattimore jumped on it, and the ball was back with the Commanders. It was the team's first forced fumble of the season. The wallop itself was a fantastic play, and the kind of finish-it tackle this coaching staff has been clamoring for. But what was even more important was what the play catalyzed. The fumble Quan forced was a turning point. After that, Washington's defense came to life and caused Herbert and the Chargers to sputter. The offense, led by Daniels in his first game back in two weeks, became explosive and scored 27 unanswered points.

Quan Martin's play was a reminder of a message Dan Quinn preaches again and again: turnovers can be the difference-maker in this league.

Mike Sainristil

There was a nerve-wracking moment for the Commanders right when the fourth quarter started at SoFi. Washington, up by 10 after 20 unanswered points, had fumbled, and the Chargers were on their march down the field. Los Angeles was stalled at the one-yard line thanks to a stop by Jalyn Holmes. Then, Jordan Magee's tackle on Kimani Vidal pushed the Chargers' back three yards.

The next play, Mike Sainristil, with a little help from the paw of Johnny Newton, finally snuffed out the threat. On third-and-4, Justin Herbert's pass intended for Keenan Allen was tipped by Newton, and Mike Sainristil gobbled up the ball for the goal-line interception. It was Sainristil's second takeaway in as many games, and the pick effectively knocked the wind out of the Chargers' sails.

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