The Washington Commanders have found themselves at the center of a brutal takedown after a disappointing finish against the New York Giants on Sunday.
One local writer wasted little time making his feelings known. Dave Sheinin of the Washington Sun delivered a harsh opening paragraph that took direct aim at head coach Dan Quinn and the kind of late-game execution Washington should expect from its quarterback.
“As soon as the clock hit zero, Dan Quinn ripped the headset off his backwards-ballcapped head and spiked it to the turf, in much the same way a well-prepared quarterback of a well-coached team might be expected to do with the football, when his team is out of timeouts and well within range of a game-winning field goal in the final, ticking seconds of a critical NFL game.”
That is an impressive way to open a story, using Quinn's visible frustration as a launching point to criticize the Commanders' preparation and decision-making. Sheinin's comparison suggests that Washington's problems go beyond Quinn's frustration and show the team's struggles to perform when it matters most.
As Washington's franchise quarterback, Jayden Daniels carries enormous responsibility for the offense's late-game execution, although the full circumstances surrounding the finish matter when assessing where the blame belongs. Sheinin's opening makes the larger frustration unmistakable.
Article Continues BelowWhat happened on Sunday may be talked about for the rest of the season, and if the Commanders' playoff chances come down to one final game, they better hope this tie doesn't backfire.
The Commanders take on the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football for Week 6.