Quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders (3-2) versus quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) featured arguably the best quarterback matchup in Week 5, but it was the gap in the teams' offensive lines that made the difference in a 27-10 Commanders win.
Los Angeles raced out to a 10-0 lead, but then the Chargers' discipline and offensive line disintegrated. The host Chargers committed a game-altering penalty that played a significant role in the game being tied 10-10 at the half instead of 17-7 Los Angeles at the half. Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey had an electrifying 57-yard punt return touchdown, but a roughing-the-punter penalty erased the score and allowed the visiting Commanders to keep the football.
Daniels (231 yards and a touchdown on 15 of 26 passing) immediately capitalized on the opportunity with a 50-yard deep shot to wide receiver Luke McCaffrey and a 22-yard completion to wide receiver Deebo Samuel to get the Commanders down to the Chargers' 11-yard line. That allowed kicker Matt Gay to drill a 29-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 entering the break.
A lost fumble from wide receiver Quentin Johnston after a 19-yard gain also hampered a Chargers drive that reached the Washington 23 as well. Herbert (166 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 22 of 29 passing) had an uphill climb without both starting tackles in Rashawn Slater (out for the season) and Joe Alt (out in Week 5 with an ankle injury.) Washington sacked him four times and backup quarterback Trey Lance once when he entered the game on the final drive with the game out of reach. The Chargers were regularly in third-and-long situations with Herbert's offensive line completely decimated. First-round rookie running back Omarion Hampton (44 yards rushing on 12 carries and 26 yards receiving on six catches) departed the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return.
On the other hand, Commanders seventh-round rookie running back Jacorey Croskey-Merritt (111 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries) erupted for the best game of his career with Washington's offensive line winning over and over and over again. He did have a fumble that the Chargers' nearly capitalized on for a touchdown, but the Commanders were able to deflect Herbert's third-and-goal pass and turn it into an interception for cornerback Mike Sainristil. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (96 yards receiving and a touchdown on eight catches) iced the game when Daniels hit him for an eight-yard scoring strike in the right corner of the end zone on fourth-and-7 from the 8.
Here are a couple takeaways from the Week 5 battle in Inglewood.
Last season, the Commanders needed last-second heroics from Daniels and his right arm to win games: the Hail Mary walkoff touchdown against the Chicago Bears in Week 8, Daniels' game-winning touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles with six seconds left in Week 16 and his game-winning passing touchdown in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17 all come to mind.
However, the way the Commanders defeated Los Angeles and their top 10 scoring defense (19.6 points per game allowed, eighth-fewest in the NFL this season) on the road in Week 5 is a much more sustainable way to win. Getting Croskey-Merritt going on the ground and establishing a consistent run game will keep Daniels upright over the long haul. He just returned from a knee injury that sidelined him the last couple of weeks. The punishing run game also wore out a Chargers defense that committed a critical third down pass interference down the stretch that helped seal the game's outcome.
Los Angeles has the defense to contend. They have the quarterback to contend in Herbert. They have the most accurate kicker in NFL history in Cameron Dicker (94.3%, 100 for 106). However, none of that will matter if the offensive line can't run block or protect Herbert when he drops back to pass. Slater being out for the season can't be changed, but Alt should return soon. Guard Mekhi Becton went in and out of Sunday's game with an injury as did backup right tackle Trey Pipkins. The Chargers need to get healthy and/or trade for some offensive line help ASAP. Otherwise, their shot at dethroning the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West will slip through their collective finger tips.
The Commanders (3-2) return home to host the Chicago Bears (2-2) on "Monday Night Football." Meanwhile, Los Angeles will make a cross country trek to Miami to face the Dolphins (1-4).
Los Angeles had a critical chance to get off the the field on third-and-six with 3:20 left to play, but a pass interference penalty on Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels' third down throw to wide receiver Deebo Samuel allowed the Commanders to move the chains for a first down. Up 10, 20-10, Washington appears to have the victory on lock
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert fired to the middle of the end zone on third-and-goal from the four looking to trim the deficit to one score, but the Washington Commanders had other ideas. Defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton deflected Herbert's pass right into the waiting arms of cornerback Mike Sainristil for the takeaway. The Commanders lead 20-10 with 7:40 left to play, and they'll take over with the football backed up on their own one.
The Washington Commanders were in complete control and on a 20-0 run. However, Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart punched the football out of Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt's hands and pounced it in one fell swoop. Los Angeles has life down 20-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Washington has terrorized Los Angeles' offensive line, sacking quarterback Justin Herbert a whopping four times. The constant pressure on Herbert because of the team's beat up offensive line is forcing the Chargers to be third and long situations over and over again. Herbert nearly dug Los Angeles out of a third-and-14 hole with a 12-yard completion to wide receiver Ladd McConkey. However, his fourth-and-two dart to tight end Tyler Conklin went off his hands for an incompletion and a turnover on downs. Washington takes over on their own 39 up 20-10 with 1:51 left in the third quarter.
Croskey-Merritt struck gold in the red zone once again. He once again bounced outside of the left tackle for another rushing touchdown, this time from five yards out. Croskey-Merritt is now up to 50 yards rushing on seven carries with two scores. The Commanders have scored 17 points in a row to take a 17-10 lead with 10:58 left in the third quarter.
We're underway in the second half!
The Chargers could be up 17-7, but instead it'll be 10-10 going into the half. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (122 yards on 6 of 13 passing) and Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert (107 yards on 13 of 15 passing) have both shined. A fun second half is ahead.
Los Angeles committed a game-altering penalty. Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey had an electrifying 57-yard punt return touchdown, but a running into the kicker penalty on Washington Commanders punter Tress Way erased the score and allowed the visiting Commanders to keep the football. Daniels immediately capitalized on the opportunity with a 50-yard deep shot to wide receiver Luke McCaffrey and a 22-yard completion to wide receiver Deebo Samuel to get the Commanders down to the Chargers' 11.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels clearly isn't 100% the way he's moving around with his bulky knee brace. That's OK with Washington running back Jacorey "Bill" Croskey-Merritt who just raced outside the left tackle and rolled into the end zone untouched. Washington trails Los Angeles 10-7 with 4:15 left in the first half.
Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston's 19-yard gain down to the Washington 23 was erased after Commanders defensive back Quan Martin punched the football loose. Washington cornerback Marshon Lattimore was in the right place and scooped up the loose ball for the takeaway. Chargers lead 10-0 with half a quarter remaining in the opening half.
Offensive tackle Rashawn Slater is out for the season, and offensive tackle Joe Alt (ankle) is out this week. That's apparent with the Commanders pass rush pressuring Justin Herbert into an incompletion and then Von Miller sacking him on the ensuing third down to force a Chargers punt. Washington gets the ball back after a Los Angeles punt down 7-0 at the tail end of the first quarter.
It appeared as though Los Angeles was going to have to settle for a 29-yard field goal on their opening drive after facing a fourth-and-5 from the Commanders' 11. However, Washington cornerback Mike Sainristil jumped offside on the Chargers' field goal try. That was enough to move the chains via penalty for Los Angeles, and two plays later, Justin Herbert scrambled to hit wide receiver Ladd McConkey for a two-yard touchdown. The Chargers lead 7-0 after the game's opening drive.
The Washington Commanders dropped back in man coverage, and Herbert showed he still has a little bit of the Oregon Ducks version of himself in his game at 27-years-old. He opted to scramble, and after Herbert was able break Washington safety Jeremy Reaves' ankles, he raced down the open field for 41 yards.
Quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers offense will begin the afternoon with the football
The Washington Commanders entered Week 5 ranked third in red zone touchdown rate (77.8%), and the Los Angeles Chargers entered Week 5 ranked second in red zone touchdown rate allowed (30.8%). Whichever unit can prevail in the red zone today could swing the outcome of Sunday afternoon's game
Los Angeles 2023 first-round wide receiver Quentin Johnston struggled to find his footing in his first two years in the NFL: he produced 1,142 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns on 93 catches. In 2025, Johnston is already up to four receiving touchdowns and 337 receiving yards on 22 catches in four games played. His 337 yards receiving were the third-most in the NFL entering Week 5. That has him on pace for 1,433 yards receiving and 17 receiving touchdowns on 94 catches this season.
Running back Omarion Hampton entered Week 5 with the second-most rushing yards (270) among rookies and the most scrimmage yards among rookies (370). Those 370 yards from scrimmage are the most by a Chargers rookie through four games since LaDainian Tomlinson's 478 to start his Hall of Fame career in 2001.
Most Scrimmage Yards By Chargers Rookie Through 4 Team Games, Since 1970
2001 LaDainian Tomlinson 478
2025 Omarion Hampton 380
1974 Don Woods 333
Herbert will be looking for a return to form in Week 5 after throwing one touchdown and two interceptions in addition to 203 yards on 23 of 41 passing in Los Angeles' first defeat of the year, a 21-18 road loss at the New York Giants. That snapped a 27-game streak in the regular season without multiple interceptions for Herbert. Good news for Herbert is Atlanta Falcons quarterback Micahel Penix Jr. lit up Washington for 313 yards, two touchdowns and interception while completing 20 of his 26 passes for 126.0 passer rating in a 34-27 win last week.
Justin Herbert This Season
1st 3 Games Week 4 vs NYG
W-L 3-0 L, 21-18
Comp pct 67% 56%
Pass YPG 286.7 203
TD-INT 6-1 1-2 <<
>> Snapped streak of 27 straight regular season starts without multiple INT
Los Angeles will be without tackle Joe Alt (ankle) for the first time this season, and they will be without 2024 second team All-Pro return man Derius Davis (knee) for the second week in a row.
WR Terry McLaurin (quad) and WR Noah Brown (groin/knee) are both inactive today vs. the Chargers.
Samuel has touchdowns in three of his four games this year after just four in 15 games played with the San Francisco 49ers last season. All three of Samuel's touchdowns this season have gained at least 10 yards. Samuel's 28 touchdowns of 10 or more yards the last five seasons are the second-most in the NFL behind only Ja'Marr Chase's 32. Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin will be out for the second consecutive week in Week 5 with a quad injury.
Most TD of 10+ Yards Gained, Past 5 Seasons
Ja'Marr Chase 32
Deebo Samuel 28 <<
CeeDee Lamb 25
>> Including all 3 TD this season
Daniels has 4,001 passing yards and 976 rushing yards in 19 career games. With just 24 yards rushing on Sunday at the Chargers, he can become the first quarterback in NFL history with over 4,000 passing yards and over 1,000 rushing yards in his first 20 career games.
Fewest Games To Reach 4,000 Pass Yards and 1,000 Rush Yards, NFL History
Robert Griffin III 21
Josh Allen 23
Cam Newton 23
>> Jayden Daniels: 4,001 pass yards and 976 rush yards in 19 career games
Washington is 0-2 away from home, and they have been outscored by an average of eight points in those losses. At home, they're undefeated and averaging victories by multiple scores. Major test at SoFi Stadium for Jayden Daniels vs. the Chargers' top five defense.
Commanders This Season
Home Road
W-L 2-0 0-2
PPG 31.0 22.5
Opp PPG 15.0 30.5
PPG Diff +16.0 -8.0
