UKHTTC: Through the First Four

At 1–3, Washington’s season has not started as hoped. Injuries have disrupted the team’s rhythm, the defeats to Philadelphia and Dallas have hurt our divisional position, and the London loss to Indianapolis raised further questions. I am concerned, but I am not ready to write off the campaign.

There are still reasons to believe Washington can compete, starting with a huge home game against the Giants. UKHTTC founder Christian Burt ponders the rest of the season and more.

Just how massive is this Giants game?

It is difficult to overstate the importance of this one. A win would move Washington to 2–3 and give the team a chance to reset after a difficult opening month; a defeat would leave us 1–4 and make the road back considerably steeper. The early schedule has been demanding, with road losses to NFC East rivals Philadelphia (24–22) and Dallas (37–20), followed by a narrow win over Seattle (33–31) and the 30–13 defeat to Indianapolis in London.

The injury situation makes the challenge harder. Stefon Diggs is out and the safety room has been badly depleted, but Jayden Daniels gives the offence a better chance of finding its footing. We need to protect him and avoid making him responsible for everything. Rachaad White, Jacory Croskey-Merritt — Bill — and Austin Ekeler give the coaches different options to keep the offence balanced, particularly with the receiving options affected by injuries.

The Giants also have significant absences, including quarterback Jaxson Dart for the rest of the regular season and pass-rusher Brian Burns on injured reserve. That does not guarantee anything, but Washington needs to take advantage at home. At 1–4, attention would inevitably begin to turn towards the 2027 Draft; a win keeps the season moving and gives the team something to build on. This is the kind of divisional game we have to win.

Biggest pleasant surprise: Sonny Styles

Sonny Styles, selected seventh overall in the 2026 Draft, has been one of the more encouraging stories of Washington’s opening month. At 6ft 5in and 243lbs, he has outstanding physical tools for a modern linebacker: he can cover ground, contribute in coverage and provide a presence around the line of scrimmage.

The exciting question is whether he can turn that athleticism into a long-term role as the centrepiece of the defence.

Through four games, Styles has 13 solo tackles, six assists, one sack and one forced fumble. Pro Football Focus has given him an overall defensive grade of 76.9, eighth among 74 qualified linebackers, with a coverage grade of 85.2, third in that group.

His run-defence grade is lower at 54.9, so there is still work to do, but the early picture is promising.

Comparing rookies across different defensive positions is never exact: linebackers, cornerbacks and pass-rushers are asked to do different jobs. Still, Styles’ early overall and coverage grades place him in a strong position among linebackers, and he looks capable of becoming an important part of this defence. Four games are only a small sample, so it is too early to make grand claims, but the potential is clear. If Washington has found a linebacker who can anchor the unit for years, the seventh pick will look like a very good investment.

Biggest disappointment: the injury blues

The injuries have been the biggest team-wide disappointment. Availability affects every part of the game, but it is particularly damaging when the quarterback, offensive line and defensive backfield are all disrupted. Changing quarterbacks and personnel makes it difficult to establish timing and consistency, while the injuries in the safety room have challenged the defence’s communication and continuity.

I do not think this is a perfect roster, but neither do I think it is a bad one. Washington has enough talent to be more competitive than it has looked at times; the problem is getting the right players on the field together. Most important is keeping Daniels healthy for the remainder of the season. The offence needs to protect him, give him a reliable running game and avoid putting the entire burden on his shoulders.

One individual concern is Bill’s rushing production. Through four games, Croskey-Merritt has carried 56 times for 157 yards, an average of 2.8 yards per carry. That is not enough from a back expected to help establish the run, although the offensive line has also struggled to create openings. Bill averaged 4.6 yards per carry in 2025, so it would be too simplistic to put the blame on him alone. Washington needs better run blocking and a more productive overall approach on the ground.

The London experience: a fanbase ready for success

Seeing the Commanders in London was fantastic, and my main takeaway was how passionate and ready for success this fanbase is. It was a pleasure to be part of a crowd that cares so deeply about the team, its history and what it could become.

Washington should be a top-tier NFL franchise. This is a storied and historic team with a loyal fanbase, including plenty of supporters in the UK who have stuck with the team through good times and bad. History alone does not win games, of course; sustained success takes strong decisions, good drafting, player development and a well-built roster. But the support and appetite for success are clearly there. When the wins arrive consistently, it will not be before time.

The result against Indianapolis was disappointing, but the London experience itself was a reminder of how much support Washington has beyond the United States. That loyalty deserves to be rewarded with a team capable of competing consistently. Now we need the performances on the field to catch up with the passion in the stands.

My prediction for the final record: 9–8

I am sticking with 9–8, although that prediction clearly depends on Washington improving quickly. After starting 1–3, the team needs to win eight of its remaining 13 games, which will require greater consistency on both sides of the ball. The opening road trips against Philadelphia and Dallas were difficult, and the return games in Washington will be important opportunities to repair the divisional damage.

The biggest variables are Daniels’ health, the offensive line’s ability to protect him and whether the defence can cope with its injury problems. If Washington gets healthier and the offence becomes more balanced, nine wins remains possible. If the injuries continue or the team struggles to execute, the target will be much harder to reach. It is an optimistic prediction, but I do not think it is an unrealistic one.

Biggest hope we can turn this season around

My biggest hope is simple: get healthier, keep Daniels on the field and take advantage of a division that still looks open. A win over the Giants would move Washington to 2–3 and give the team a platform to build from. Daniels is the key, but he needs support: a dependable run game, better protection, receivers who can make plays and a coaching approach that puts him in manageable situations.

Defensively, Styles is an encouraging sign of what this team could become, but Washington needs the whole unit to be more consistent. We cannot wait for everything to be perfect; the team has to start winning the games that are there to be won and build confidence as players return. A 9–8 record could leave a team in the NFC East race, depending on how the other results fall. That is not a prediction that Washington will win the division, but it is a reminder that the opportunity has not disappeared.

The Giants game is the immediate priority. Win it, get back to 2–3 and give the season some momentum. I still believe Washington has the talent to make this campaign competitive, particularly if Daniels stays healthy.

Now the team needs to turn that potential into results.