Washington Commanders face a short week after a 25-24 Monday-night loss to Chicago, highlighting a costly turnover pattern and a defense that couldn’t slow the run on the Bears’ game-winning drive. The miscue-filled night, capped by a late handoff fumble, forces quick recalibration as they prepare for Dallas. Coaches push accounting for all phases while Jayden Daniels seeks footing in a hostile environment, with Cosmi, Brown, and McLaurin poised to boost the offense in a pivotal week.

Fantasy managers should watch Daniels’ turnover risk, Terry McLaurin’s target share, and Noah Brown’s trajectory if he returns to full speed. Washington will lean on Payne’s interior disruptiveness and a leaner, cleaner game plan to challenge a Cowboys squad that thrives in high-scoring, late-decider showdowns. Returns and ball-security will shape Week 7 projections.

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.