The opinions expressed in this article are from national reporters and do not reflect those of the team.
The Washington Commanders are 3-4 following their 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Here's how they stack up with the rest of the NFL heading into Week 8.
ESPN
Rank: 19
- John Keim: Bates does start some games, but he is more of a role player with 25.4 snaps per game this season. He's not a pass catcher (he has only two receptions), yet Washington made him a priority to re-sign over the offseason because he is one of the best run-blocking tight ends, particularly when aligned on the line of scrimmage. "He's just able to dominate guys at the point of attack," fellow Washington tight end Zach Ertz said earlier this season. Bates also is a key member of the special teams unit, averaging 11.4 snaps.
USA Today
Rank: 19
- Nate Davis: They could well have a heckuva time throwing for 160 net passing yards given the cascading injuries to QB Jayden Daniels and seemingly all of his wide receivers.
Pro Football Talk
Rank: 22
- **Mike Florio:** Expectations may have been too high.
Bleacher Report
Rank: 16
- B/R staff: The Commanders were already decimated at wide receiver—Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel and Noah Brown all missed Sunday's loss to Dallas. But Daniels also left the game with a hamstring injury, and if he misses any real time, the Washington offense will be in tatters.
Yahoo Sports
Rank: 20
- Frank Schwab: The Commanders have a ton of injuries and that matters, even if head coach Dan Quinn said that wasn't a factor in Sunday's loss. That's obviously not true. But the schedule won't stop for them to get healthy, and their next game is on the road vs. the Chiefs. Not good.
CBS Sports
Rank: 19
- Pete Prisco: If Jayden Daniels is out for any length of time, they have major problems. The defense is awful right now, which compounds the problem.
Sporting News
Rank: 19
- Vinnie Iyer: The Commanders got a bit sloppy early and late with Jayden Daniels and the rest of the offense, making uncharacteristic mistakes to put extra pressure on the defense. Daniels is now 1-1 vs. Williams early in their fun duel.
Sports Illustrated
Rank: 18
- Connor Orr: Jayden Daniels is so good. I know this isn't what anyone wants to hear, but putting him in bubble wrap for the next week or two is better for him and the universe.
FOX Sports
Rank: 21
- **Ralph Vacchiano:** Two straight losses now, and the Commanders' schedule is about to get really hard with games at Kansas City and home against Seattle and Detroit. Also, is it alarming anyone that Jayden Daniels' 233 passing yards and 68 rushing yards on Opening Day were his season highs?
