The Washington Commanders improved to 10-5 on the season after Sunday's thrilling 36-33 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. It's Washington's best start since the 1991 season, in which it finished the regular season 14-2 and won the Super Bowl.
The Commanders ended the Eagles' 10-game winning streak despite turning the ball over five times. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels passed for a career-high five touchdowns, leading Washington to the first signature victory of Dan Quinn's tenure.
Which players stood out in the Commanders' most impressive win of the season? Which players struggled? Studs and duds for Week 16 are here.
Daniels continued his recent trend of excellent play, completing 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Daniels also rushed for a team-high 81 yards. The Commanders entered the game without two of their top four receivers and lost another when wide receiver Dyami Brown left with a hamstring injury. Daniels performed phenomenally against the NFL's top-ranked defense. So, when Philly fans try to tell you the defense was without some starters, so was Washington's offense.
It wasn't Robinson's day. He rushed for 24 yards on 10 attempts. But, most importantly, fumbled the ball twice, including once in the red zone, costing Washington at least three points. Considering the Commanders' offense's effectiveness, it could have been seven points. Also, Robinson's first fumble led directly to a Philadelphia touchdown.
Washington's receivers, not named Terry McLaurin, are criticized for not being good enough. That wasn't the case against the Eagles. Everyone delivered. McLaurin caught five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. It's his 12th touchdown of the season, tying a franchise record. It's also the fifth consecutive season in which he has gone over 1,000 yards receiving.
Olamide Zaccheaus hadn't caught a touchdown all season but caught five passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Also, Jamison Crowder entered Sunday with just four receptions and no touchdowns this season. He caught two passes -- both touchdowns -- including the game-winner.
Finally, Dyami Brown caught three passes, including a big 51-yarder, while Luke McCaffrey also caught one and showed some impressive run-after-catch ability -- an excellent day for this unit.
We aren't sure Lattimore belongs here, but he was called for three pass interference penalties, all in the third quarter. One cost the Commanders over 40 yards. Two of them, including this one, were questionable calls. That entire drive was due to penalty yardage.
Lattimore also won his share of battles, including making an impressive stop of A.J. Brown short of the first-down market. It was Lattimore's second game in Washington, and while he had ups and downs, Washington should be excited about him. The only problem here is he left the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. Remember, he missed his first four games with the Commanders due to a hamstring injury.
Luvu was everywhere for the Commanders, finishing with seven tackles, including two for loss and a critical interception. Luvu was a tone-setter for Washington's defense.
The officiating was horrendous for the second straight week in a Washington game. Last week, it was one-sided against the Commanders. This time, it was terrible against the Eagles and Commanders. The Eagles finished with 91 penalty yards, while the Commanders had 93. Officiating was too involved.