For the first time as head coach of the Washington Commanders, Dan Quinn experienced back-to-back losses, with his team falling to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football just four days after losing their Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What’s going on? Are the Commanders falling apart? Have they been an illusion all along, looking more like a team fresh off selecting second overall in the draft rather than the NFC East favorites? Or is this simply a rough patch in an otherwise strong season?
When asked about this after Thursday’s game, Quinn acknowledged there are no moral victories in the NFL but emphasized that adversity is a part of the journey. How a team responds to it, he said, ultimately determines its potential.
“We knew adversity would come—it always does. That’s the nature of this game, and it’s part of why we love it. There are tough moments, and tonight was one of them. In fact, I told the team that the last two games were challenging. They test your resolve and help build resilience. This stretch has been tough, no question about it,” Quinn shared with reporters.
He continued: “It also underscores the importance of closing games, being there at the end, and finding a way to win. Those are the lessons we need to internalize to reach our full potential. When it comes down to crunch time, those moments have to go our way. We’ve been pretty good at that, but over the past two weeks, we didn’t finish. That’s not just on one side of the ball—it’s a collective effort to sense the moment and close it out. We’ll get there, but these last two games have shown we’re not quite there yet.”
Compelling, right? But Quinn wasn’t done—he had plenty more to say on the matter.
Dan Quinn vows to get the Commanders right in time for Week 12
After Thursday Night Football, Quinn spoke with reporters, emphasizing that while losing is never easy, the Commanders are determined to bounce back and return stronger for Week 12. “To be the dominant team we aim to be, you have to learn how to close games. There are no moral victories—it’s about figuring out how to take those lessons and execute them,” Quinn stated.
He acknowledged the adversity the team has faced in recent weeks but expressed confidence in their ability to respond. “Losing the last two weeks isn’t easy, but every team faces challenges at some point. I trust the guys in the locker room and the way they fight for each other. Preparing for Thursday games is tough, but the extra days will help us reset, refocus, and get back to practicing at full strength—doing what makes us unique.”
While the Commanders’ 2024 season hasn’t been without setbacks—including losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens in Weeks 1 and 6—they’ve shown resilience, rebounding with dominant wins over the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers, outscoring them 61-25. The recent loss to the Eagles posed a challenge, as they’re arguably a stronger team than the Steelers. However, with a mini-bye before Week 12, the Commanders have an opportunity to regroup against less formidable opponents. First up are the struggling Dallas Cowboys, who may not secure another win this season, followed by the Tennessee Titans—offering a promising chance to regain momentum despite the TNF loss.
