The Washington Commanders welcomed back quarterback Jayden Daniels to their starting lineup for their Week Five road game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Daniels’ return coincided with his first game in his native California as a pro. After missing Washington’s last two games with a sprained left knee, Daniels needed little motivation to return under center and guide the Commanders’ offense.
Washington faced early adversity against Los Angeles, as they were without starting wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown due to injuries. The Commanders’ offense started off slow, and the Chargers were staked to a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. Los Angeles looked to continue their dominance until Commanders’ safety Quan Martin forced a fumble by Chargers’ wide receiver Quentin Johnston, which was recovered by Commanders’ cornerback Marshon Lattimore. That play spearheaded Washington as they scored 27 unanswered points for an improbable 27-10 victory.
It was a game of tide turning plays as the Chargers had a punt return for a touchdown by punt returner Ladd McConkey overturned by a personal foul penalty. Running back Bill Croskey Merritt ran for 111 yards on 14 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns. However, he lost a fumble early in the third quarter, giving Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense life.
However, Washington’s much embattled defense came to the rescue. Cornerback Mike Sainristil intercepted a Herbert pass at the goal line to thwart a Chargers’ scoring drive and preserve Washington’s lead. The Commanders’ defense sacked Herbert five times and forced two turnovers to support their fine effort. This game was probably the Commanders’ best game in quite some time. It was the franchise’s first road victory against the Chargers since 1986, when Washington had a different nickname (Redskins), and the Chargers called another southern California city home (San Diego). In any event, the flight back to Washington D.C. will definitely be a lot smoother after the Commanders’ win in Daniels’ homecoming game.