Well, Washington, it’s happened again. Another government shutdown and it’s not just Congress; it’s the Washington Commanders.
After five straight losses, Washington has a better chance of the news saying something nice about President Trump than the Commanders have of making the playoffs. (1% chance)
Every year, we tell ourselves this is the season things will turn around, and every year, Washington responds, “define turn around.” Even after all the changes in Washington with a new name, new coaches, new owners, and a lot of new players; the rookie year was cute. But now we’re in year two, and we’re back to the same old sorry Washington story that doesn’t have a happy ending.
This season has felt like a lot of campaign promises that vanished by week four. Like Congress, this season feels like a committee meeting with a lot of talking, not much doing, and someone inevitably fumbles the agenda.
Shutdown Mode
Jayden Daniels who was supposed to be the QB that united both sides of the aisle, but he’s spent more time in the medical tent. He’s missed half the season due to injuries (left knee sprain, right hamstring strain, and now a dislocated left elbow). The injuries are spreading faster than political soundbite commercials. Just when you think it can’t get worse, it does.
Just because I’m on the IR after getting holes drilled into my leg bones and knee cap doesn’t mean the rest of Washington has to join me. At this rate, there will be a state of emergency for needing more ice packs. The Commanders on the IR list include Armstrong, Brown, Ekeler, Harris, D Jackson, T Jackson, Jean-Baptiste, Lattimore, McCaffrey, and Niang.
Players not getting a security clearance to play in Sunday’s game in Spain: Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Ale Kaho, Trey Amos, Treylon Burks, and Daron Payne. And who knows, there are probably more names that are not being released.
Spain
The NFL is holding its first-ever regular season game in Spain on Sunday, November 16, 2025, in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium: the Miami Dolphins vs the Washington Commanders. Woof. Two 3-7 teams playing an international game; this game is really going to make Spain thankful they got rid of Florida. If you want to start your Sunday morning watching pitiful football, tune in to the NFL network at 9:30 am.
Furlough
The Government is furloughed, Congress is still getting paid, and the rest of Washington is miserable. What about the fans’ back pay? Week after week, we show up and believe the promised campaign speeches that Washington is going to be respected. But let’s be real- no one respects Washington. Watching this team right now is like waiting for Congress to get along: you want to think there is an adult in the room who can act in the people’s best interest and figure this shitshow out. But all the fans are getting is ‘maybe next year’. It’s amazing how soon we’ve gone from chanting “Hail to the Commanders” to screaming four letter words.
Washington
Honestly, it’s fitting that the team from Washington is mirroring Washington itself. Both are full of potential, stuck in a cycle of finger-pointing, and somehow always find a way to disappoint us right before the holidays. At least Congress will eventually reopen.
Still, like every true Washington fan, we’ll keep watching. We’ll keep hoping. Because that’s what we do. We’ve survived scandals, name changes, relocation rumors, owners, and more quarterbacks than broken promises from politicians. Messy, overpriced, and overhyped is the only way we know how to live and play in Washington.
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