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Commanders Wire
Offensive Flexibility Allows Washington to Adapt
The Commanders have shown they can adjust offensively based on opponent and situation. They’ve faced significant adversity due to injuries in 2025, which has increased their ability to be flexible and adapt to new situations. Whether it’s leaning into a quicker passing game, spreading the field, or using motion to create mismatches, Washington has the tools to attack Philadelphia in multiple ways. Sustained drives — even if they end in field goals — can keep the Eagles’ offense on the sideline and shorten the game.
Let’s be clear that field goals are not ideal for winning. The Commanders must score touchdowns if they want to beat the Eagles, but sustaining drives matters, too.
Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain
Psychologically, this matchup favors Washington. The pressure rests squarely on Philadelphia, while the Commanders can play loose and aggressive. That freedom often leads to bold play-calling and sharper execution. In rivalry games, teams with nothing to lose are dangerous — especially when they can turn one or two momentum swings into belief. If the players believe it, they will execute and perform that much better.
Commanders.com
Sinnott, a 2024 second-round pick, is one of the players who is expected to get more playing time now that Ertz is on Injured Reserve. That was the case during the Commanders’ 29-21 win over the Giants; he played in 35 offensive snaps — the second most of his career and most this season — and made a 36-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
Ertz has played a pivotal role in the progress Sinnott has shown. He and 2024 undrafted free agent Colson Yankoff got extra work with Ertz in practice earlier in the season to improve the finer details of the position. Sinnott has learned a lot from just watching Ertz and learning about the nuances of how he likes to run certain routes and get open against different coverages. Those traits have been part of Ertz’s calling card for years now. He’s currently fifth all-time in receptions for a tight end with 825 catches for 8,592 yards.
Sinnott said he was “devastated” when he learned that Ertz would be done for the season but also excited that he would have the chance to “do what I know I can do.” And he knew that Ertz would help him maximize him time on the field.
“He’s a guy who helps all the time,” Sinnott said. “My whole two years here, I’ve been able to just pick his brain and ask him anything.”
A to Z Sports
The Commanders took Sinnott in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and we’re still waiting to see him get a fair share of targets in the...
