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Perhaps the Washington Commanders’ recent win had something to do with the opponent. But optimism has been restored, and Terry McLaurin could be back this week. And here is the Commanders’ X-factor for the Week 6 Monday Night Football clash with the Bears.
Washington has alternated wins and losses this season, so it will be looking for its first two-game winning streak. The Bears come in a 2-2, riding a two-game winning streak with victories over the Cowboys and Raiders.
The Commanders’ X-factor shouldn’t come as a surprise because he was the X-factor last week. Jacory Croskey-Merritt burst into the spotlight against the Chargers and should have a similar performance against the Bears.
Croskey-Merritt leads the Commanders with 283 yards rushing and four touchdowns. He’s averaging an incredible 6.6 yards per carry. That total will come down with more usage, but he’s been an explosive guy on an already strong offense.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Croskey-Merritt has unique talents, according to Commanders.com.
“I think it’s the change of direction,” Quinn said. “He’s got very good vision inside, but he can really put his foot in the ground and break tackles. There’s an element of vision and cuts. I can remember even all the way back through training camp there. And I thought he excels really on the inside plays where now he can see things quickly, make a violent cut, and then get north-south.”
Need proof that Croskey-Merritt is the real deal? How about these numbers, according to Yahoo.com
“He forced six missed tackles, triple the combined total of McNichols and [Chris] Rodriguez, and his efficiency speaks for itself,” Ray Garvin wrote. “Among RBs with 30 or more carries this season, Croskey-Merritt ranks first in success rate (65.1%), first in runs of 5-plus yards (58.1%), second in 10-plus yard gains (20.9%), first in first down or touchdown rate (39.5%), and second in yards after contact per rush (4.4) all while facing eight or more defenders in the box on over half his carries (51.2%).”
Croskey-Merritt didn’t have the draft pedigree to command early touches. But they are coming in bunches now.
“I’m so thankful for this organization for believing in me, for trusting me, and I’m so thankful and just excited to be here,” Croskey-Merritt said.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said Croskey-Merritt has a good ceiling.
“Bill [Croskey-Merritt] is exciting, being a young guy,” Kingsbury said last week. “I think the sky’s the limit for him as he continues to improve without the football.”
And it’s looking like the Commanders got the steal of the 2025 NFL Draft, picking Croskey-Merritt in Round 7, according to athlonsports.com.
“But if we’re talking about value, it’s impossible to look at the bottom of that list and find the last running back taken, and not think Croskey-Merritt looks like the biggest steal of the bunch,” and perhaps the best value pick in the entire draft up to this...
