Commanders Notebook: 3 Takeaways From 6th Straight Loss

The Washington Commanders' comeback bid fell short in a 30-28 loss to the New York Jets.

When you think things can't get any worse for the Washington Commanders, they do. It was a tale of two halves for the Commanders, as they were seemingly on the verge of a huge comeback victory after being down by 20 points, only to lose to the New York Jets 30-28 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. 

Washington overcame a 20-point deficit thanks to Jacoby Brissett to lead 28-27 with 4:52 left in the game. After the Commanders' defense got one stop, they couldn't duplicate their success on the final drive as the Jets drove down the field for a game-winning 54-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein with five seconds left to play. 

It was an up-and-down performance, which has become a hallmark for a Commanders team that has lost six straight games. If the Commanders were going to snap their losing streak, this had to be the game with the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys up next.

Here are three takeaways from the brutal loss ...

Sam Howell was benched for the second straight week / USA Today Sports

Special Teams were special (not in a good way)

Oftentimes, you don't realize how important your special teams is until they either win or cost you a game. On Sunday, it was the latter for Washington (4-11). 

Commanders punter Tress Way had a punt blocked that led to the Jets' (6-9) first touchdown of the game. And what would have been a good return from Jamison Crowder turned catastrophic when the air caused a fumble, which led to a New York field goal. 

The Jets' final touchdown drive came after Commanders cornerback Tariq Fields-Castro jumped offsides on 4th and 3 before the punt. 

Overall, it was one of the worst special teams displays for a team inventing ways to cost itself games. 

Sam Howell experiment is over

It's not all his fault, but there's no way to justify Sam Howell being the team's starter in the final two games. 

Howell completed 6 of 22 passes for 56 yards and threw 2 interceptions before getting benched for the second straight week. In relief of Howell, Jacoby Brissett found immediate success, completing 10 of 13 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown as he led Washington to the brink of victory. 

There has been a night and day difference between Howell and Brissett leading the offense in the last two weeks. Washington has scored 5 touchdowns in Brissett's limited time at quarterback these last two games, whereas Howell has thrown 5 touchdowns in Washington's last five games. 

Howell showed promise early in the season, and maybe he has just hit a wall in his first season as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Regardless, it's best for Howell and the Commanders if Brissett is handed the reins for the final two games this season.

Commanders to 'Evaluate Everything' at QB as Howell Benched vs. Jets

Ron Rivera's questionable decision-making late

The Commanders had their foot on the Jets' throats as Brissett led the offense down the field on three straight touchdown drives. 

Washington had a chance to ice the game with a first down with under two minutes left to play. Rather than try to end the game, the Commanders ran the ball three times and gave New York the ball back with 1:41 left.

Brissett and the offense moved the ball at will against the Jets in the fourth quarter. Commanders head coach Ron Rivera should have let the offense try to end the game rather than hoping for the defense that has allowed the most points per game this season to get one more stop. 

In the end, it was the perfect microcosm of the Commanders' season and Rivera's last two seasons as head coach.