Film Study: Two Straight Weeks of Improvement but Same Results

A heart breaking overtime loss, a seventh consecutive defeat, a losing season clinched, and fans left Northwest Stadium feeling…..okay?

Welcome to the 2025 Washington Commanders season. It’s not so much that bar is now set low, it’s that given what they were up against, the Burgundy and Gold put in a rather spirited performance with no back breaking mistakes, no obvious targets to point at, and (at least viewed from afar) nothing much to clean up as the Commanders head to Minnesota to play a 4-8 Vikings team Sunday.

If anything, Washington may have exposed the Denver Broncos as a team with a standout regular season record, but one that exists on good vibes, big plays, and lucky breaks (sound familiar?). At deep dive on the All-22 tape shows several Commanders stood out with solid games that should give fans hope that the team can at least build some momentum for 2026.

Josh Conerly Jr. played his best game of the season:

The rookie from Oregon faced a murders row of edge rushers to start his professional career and those early season lessons seem to have made him a better player. Conerly routinely got to the second level on his run blocking assignments and his pass protection was almost flawless.

He gave up no pressures, no sacks, and with the exception of a holding penalty in overtime, made life miserable for Denver lineman John Franklin Myers.

In fact, the entire right side of the line played well. Guard Sam Cosmi continued his elite play at right guard, turning in his second straight game with a PFF.com grade over 83. In fact, his 91.4 was the highest of anyone on the team against Denver.

The offensive line is quietly becoming one of the teams strengths and could become one of the best in the NFL next season.

Mike Sainristill has broken out of his funk:

One of the biggest disappointments of 2025 has been the play of the second year defensive back from Michigan. Sainristill has been routinely caught out of position and given up big plays to opposing wide receivers. It hasn’t just been him, the entire defensive backfield looked dazed and confused until head coach Dan Quinn took over the defensive play calling from Joe Whitt Jr. two games ago.

For the second straight week, the lack of blown assignments has been noticeable. Sainristill has moved to the outside, because of injuries to Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos, but he’s thrived in that position.

Washington appeared to play a lot of zone coverage to prevent the big play and it worked. Bo Nix’s longest throw was a 41 yard completion to tight end Evan Ingram with most of the yards coming after the catch.

Sainristill played his side of the field well which should give him a lot of confidence heading into this weeks match up with Justin Jefferson.

Treylon Burks could have had a bigger night:

The former number one pick went viral for his one handed touchdown catch but a closer look at the All-22 shows he could have had an even bigger game.

On the Marcus Mariota interception, Burks was working against Denver star cornerback Patrick Surtain II. He had position on Surtain in the end zone but Mariota elected to try to throw to Chris Rodriquez. He was also open on two separate plays when Mariota chose to throw to other receivers but his play must have raised concerns with Bronco coaches as they moved Surtain to Burke’s side late in the game.

It will be interesting to watch his development the rest of the season. Burks was originally drafted to by Tennessee to tak A.J. Brown’s place, that never worked out but if he thrives in DC, Washington might find out they picked up a steal on the free agent market.