The Washington Commanders (4-10) look to snap a five-game losing streak Sunday when they travel to MetLife Stadium for the second time this season to face the New York Jets (5-9).
Washington’s first trip to the Meadowlands was an embarrassing 14-7 loss to the Giants in Week 7. The Giants were without multiple starters, and Washington trailed 14-0 for a large portion of the game.
Things have gone completely off the rails for Washington since. Starting in Week 7, the Commanders have a 1-7 record. Meanwhile, the Jets have struggled, too, with most of their struggles relating to the absence of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Quarterback Zach Wilson has looked overmatched again and is currently in concussion protocol ahead of Sunday’s game vs. Washington. Trevor Siemian will start if Wilson can’t play in Week 16.
Regardless of New York’s record, it has a solid roster. We look at five players to watch in this Week 16 game.
RB Breece Hall
Breece Hall, a second-round pick in 2022, was on his way to a phenomenal rookie season, but tore his ACL in Week 7 and was lost for the year. Hall returned in New York’s Week 1 game this season and looked like he never missed a beat. He leads the Jets with 637 rushing yards and is second on the team with 53 receptions. He also leads New York with seven touchdowns. Hall is the perfect back in today’s NFL.
WR Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson was a part of a good rookie class of wide receivers in 2022. Many considered him the top one in the draft, and he has not disappointed. Unfortunately for Wilson, he hasn’t had good enough quarterback play. Still, he has 79 receptions for 882 yards this season. Imagine what he can accomplish with Rodgers under center? Wilson is already a borderline top-10 NFL wide receiver.
DT Quinnen Williams
Washington has two former Alabama stars at defensive tackle, and the Jets have one, too. Quinnen Williams is in his fifth NFL season and had a breakout season in 2022, like Daron Payne of Washington. Both got paid in the offseason. Williams is a dominant presence against the pass and the run. He will give Washington’s offensive line fits on Sunday.
LB Quincy Williams
You could make the case that Quincy Williams, Quinnen’s older brother, is the Jets defensive MVP. Williams has 116 tackles, including 13 for loss, eight passes defended, and two sacks. He can do everything. Imagine if the Commanders had a linebacker the caliber of Quincy Williams? He’s a lot of fun to watch.
CB Sauce Gardner
A top-five pick in 2022, Gardner was one of three first-round picks for the Jets last season, and all look like home runs. That’s how you quickly turn a franchise around. We told you about Garrett Wilson. Cornerback Sauce Gardner is already one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks. He has everything you want in a cornerback: Size, speed, change-of-direction ability, physicality and is a smart player. You can almost count on one side of the field being shut down when Gardner is playing.
