Jer'Zhan Newton jumped off the page in Washington's Week 5 win, lifting a defense that struggled in Week 4. A chase down on a Chargers reverse and a late-ball deflection that set up Sainristil's interception reshaped momentum. Newton's energy and timing signal a potential breakout arc beyond a single game.

Through five games, Newton has eight tackles (six solo), one sack, one pass defensed and two stuffs, hinting at a longer-term influence on Washington's front. With the offense finding footing behind a rookie-ground-game plan, the defense's uptick could anchor fantasy rosters and real-game outcomes alike.

As Jayden Daniels returned and Washington leaned into a rugged, opportunistic defense, Newton's relentless motor offered a blueprint for how the unit can sustain pressure and elevate the entire team going forward.

Chargers and Commanders look to rebound after Week 4 losses, squaring off at SoFi Stadium. Herbert has 23 TDs and 3 INTs this season, but has cooled with three picks in his last two outings, while rookie Omarion Hampton could see a bigger workload against Washington’s 14th-ranked run defense after a career-best 19 carries last week. Washington’s Bobby Wagner anchors a home defense that’s been efficient, and the Chargers must protect the ball to slow a dangerous division rival.

Series history favors the Chargers in recent matchups (five wins in the last six meetings) though Washington holds a 7-5 edge overall. The teams last met in 2021 with a Chargers win. In 2024 both Harbaugh (Chargers) and Quinn (Commanders) are in their first NFL seasons, aiming to stabilize their clubs and push for playoff status while navigating divisional pressure.

Daniels returns from a knee sprain for a California homecoming against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium, backed by an Inland Empire bond with Wagner that fuels Washington’s energy and improvisation. The two navigate a locker-room bromance while injuries loom for both offenses, shaping a game with clear fantasy angles around Daniels’ ceiling and Washington’s receivers.

Hurt reports on both sides cloud the matchup: Washington’s pass catchers deal with maladies, the Chargers’ line is banged up, and Herbert faces added pressure after last week’s Giants blitz. This game blends homecoming lore with practical fantasy implications as Washington tries to capitalize on youth and depth in a tricky L.A. setting.

Week 5's Washington–Los Angeles showdown at SoFi tests depth and playmaking in fantasy terms, with both sides dealing with injuries and big-question matchups. Washington must navigate a banged-up offense and aging star Bobby Wagner while Jayden Daniels returns with a brace. Los Angeles counters with Derwin James’s versatility and a banged offensive line that Washington can target, while Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen loom as top targets. Five marquee battles will largely shape the fantasy upside of this clash.

Expect a high-variance game where rescuers emerge from the depth charts. Washington’s receivers could be limited if Terry McLaurin sits, pushing Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey into larger roles, while the Chargers lean on Herbert’s arm and McConkey’s reliability against a mid-tier Commanders secondary. The Week 5 outcomes hinge on how these five matchups resolve in real time.