The Washington Commanders enter the final stretch of the season sitting at 6–5—still very much alive in the playoff race, but also dangerously close to letting opportunities slip away. At this point in the year, the margin for error shrinks to almost nothing. Every possession matters. Every decision matters. And for this team, the next month will be defined by whether they can finally tighten up three key areas that have plagued them all season: red zone offense, high-point throws, and consistently taking the points when they’re there.
This isn’t a talent issue. It’s an execution issue. It’s a discipline issue. It’s a decision-making issue. The good news? All three are fixable—and quickly. And if Washington wants to punch a playoff ticket, they’ll need to fix them now.
1. Red Zone Offense: Where Games Are Won (and Lost)
Washington has moved the ball well between the 20s all season. Sustained drives haven’t been the problem; finishing them has.
The red zone is where the game slows down and the pressure speeds up. Defenses sit tighter. Passing lanes shrink. Mistakes get magnified. And for the Commanders, that’s where promising drives have too often stalled out into nothing more than “almost.”
A top-tier red zone offense isn’t just about playcalling—it’s about identity. You need a go-to concept on 3rd and 4 from the 9. You need a reliable run scheme for inside the 5. You need a receiver you trust in isolation, and a quarterback who understands where the ball must go before the snap.
Right now, the Commanders need to decide who they are inside the 20. Are they a power run team? A timing-based passing team? A matchup-driven attack? Once they set that identity, the red zone stops becoming a coin flip and starts becoming a strength.
2. High Throws: The Safest Weapon You’re Not Using Enough
In tight spaces, quarterbacks can’t just throw to a receiver—they must throw away from defenders.
That’s where high throws matter.
Some offenses treat high-point balls the same way top teams treat checkdowns: not a last resort, but a built-in tool. When the defense crowds windows, a quarterback has to be willing to put the ball where only his guy can get it. And with the Commanders’ size at receiver, those matchups should be leaned on more often.
A high throw in the red zone does three important things:
- Reduces turnover risk
A ball where only your WR/TE can reach it is infinitely safer than a ball at chest level in traffic. - Gives your best athletes a chance to win
At the goal line, a 50/50 ball to the right player is often closer to 70/30. - Forces defenders to play perfect technique
And most can’t.
Washington doesn’t need to spam fades or jump balls, but they do need to leverage their height advantage and create safer scoring opportunities. High throws are one of the simplest ways to take control of contested moments.
3. Taking the Points: A Playoff Mentality
Every team wants to be aggressive. But good teams understand a core truth: aggression is only useful when it’s paired with discipline.
At 6–5, Washington can’t afford to walk away from scoring opportunities. Field goals may not be glamorous, but in November and December, they shape playoff pictures. A 13–10 win counts just as much as a 31–30 shootout.
“Take your points” isn’t a conservative mindset—it’s a calculated one.
Whether it’s:
- a 4th and 5 inside the 20,
- a stalled drive after back-to-back negative plays, or
- a defensive slugfest where every score matters,
the Commanders must make the smart choice more consistently. Too many drives this season have produced zero points when they should have produced three. Those decisions add up—especially for a team sitting one game above .500.
4. Locking In: The Push Toward the Finish Line
At 6–5, the Commanders are in that dangerous middle ground where a winning season is possible, a playoff appearance is within reach, but nothing is guaranteed. The path from here to the postseason won’t be defined by highlight plays. It will be defined by discipline.
- Finish drives.
- Use smart, safe, high-point throws.
- Take the points when they’re there.
If Washington can clean up those three areas, they’ll stop leaving points on the field—and start forcing opponents to keep up. These next few games aren’t just about survival. They’re about establishing the identity that will carry them into January.
The opportunity is right there.
All the Commanders have to do is lock in and finish strong.
