Official Game Thread - Week 8 - MNF - Commanders @ Chiefs

[SkinsInSATX]

Are we about to shock the world tonight?!

 

[Boone]

I think a lot of that is fair. But the key word is 'they'. 'They' have frequently been comprised of a bunch of back ups so far - including QB.

It's not just one thing. The schedule. Not being able to 'sneak up on' anybody. Jayden's slow start. A lot of raised expectations. But I think the impact of injuries is wildly understated by most fans, and if we're being honest, it's because all fans care about is winning. We don't want to hear 'excuses' (what fair observers might call 'causative factors').

We have been embarrased some. We have also played well some (including the defense). Again - we are 3-4, not 3-14. Just sayin'...

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I get that it doesn’t mean anything in the short term and that some fans even prefer the “under the radar” 1pm life…but as a fan who finally got a taste of success last season it’s really fucking irritating that the moment the national media got on board the bandwagon, predicted good things, and the league gave us a bunch of prime time slots…we immediately shit in our diapers in embarrassing fashion and proved them wrong to believe in us.

Watching us is a punishment lately…again. We were almost universally seen as the most fun team to watch last year for an 8 week stretch or so, we earned respect. Other fanbases went out of their way to watch our games. I liked that life.

We’re going to have to work twice as hard for twice as long to get it back now, and after a lifetime of being laughed at, that’s really not enjoyable. I think that’s the real reason why fans’ minds are breaking so badly during this bad stretch. They tasted the good life and seemingly had it snatched away, and they need someone to blame. I can relate

Eh, the fact is we haven't been a fun team to watch so far this season, except maybe for the chargers game. But there is context to that, and a lot of it is we have been so damaged on offense by injuries, we couldn't be a fun team to watch.

I think it will come back if we start playing well on offense again, if it clicks when McLaurin/Deebo/Daniels all play. It's an if, because they'll have to put it all together on the fly because they didn't practice together at all during training camp. (Thank you Mr. McLaurin), but I keep going back to the fact I (and I know, who am I, but in my opinion) really thought this offense had a chance to be super special. With McLaurin and Deebo on the outside, moving Brown to WR3, some contributions from McCaffery and Lane, a much upgraded OL, plus some explosive RBs and a consistent TE, and JD5's ability to get out of a jam, I thought they could be really special.

There's no reason to think that still can't be true. Will it be true? I have no idea. But it can be true if those players are all playing.

It couldn't be true with McLaurin our for 4 weeks + Daniels out for 3 weeks + Deebo out for 1 week + Brown on IR, and McCaffery/Lane/Moore/Chosen just aren't t at the level where they can match the starters.

 

[Boone]

And Austin Ekeler - who last year early on was our most productive offensive player. Gone immediately for the season. We've had so many devastating injuries we can't even keep track of them.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I

We have been embarrased some. We have also played well some (including the defense). Again - we are 3-4, not 3-14. Just sayin'...

I think part of the "sky is falling" also goes along with losing to the Falcons the week after they got shut out 30-0 against the Panthers with the defense looking absolutely inept, fumbled the Bears game away, and then got blown out by the Cowboys.

It's who we lost to and how. The expectation was we would beat at least 2 of those teams. Maybe not the Cowboys, but we were favored against both the Falcons and Bears. And until Deebo was ruled out, the Cowboys also.

We haven't even gotten to the hard part of the schedule yet, which is now upcoming with KC, Seattle and Detroit in the next 3 weeks.

I also think a lot of fans are already chalking tonight up as a loss and have moved on from 3-4 to 3-5. Mostly because we've been so inept on defense, the general thought is KC is going to obliterate the defense, and without Daniels, the offense won't be able to keep up. That's very possibly what will happen, but since it hasn't happened yet, I think it's fair to withhold judgement until it does.

I am not part of the "sky is falling" crowd, but I do think the losses against 4 NFC teams makes the playoff math hard.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

And Austin Ekeler - who last year early on was our most productive offensive player. Gone immediately for the season. We've had so many devastating injuries we can't even keep track of them.

Yeah, though I guess maybe I never really counted on Ekler. Maybe it's unfair, but I kidnof assume he was going to go out at some point, I was more excited by the prospect of what Bill could do, and CRod had lost weight and was looking better in preseason.

Of all of our injuries on offense, I think Ekler's hurts us the least. Which isn't to say it isn't a loss, but it's one we had a more immediate answer to.

You can't play a game minus your top 3 WRs. Unless you have the type of running game the Eagles had last year.

 

[Boone]

I get it. I really do. I'm not even arguing that the pessimism is ill-advised. I'm just pointing out that none of what has transpired in 2025 happened in a vacuum.

Ultimately NFL games are won by talent and performance not desire and great coaching or halftime speeches. When you don't have the horses, it is very difficult. That's where we have been for most of this season.

 

[Boone]

Yeah, though I guess maybe I never really counted on Ekler. Maybe it's unfair, but I kidnof assume he was going to go out at some point, I was more excited by the prospect of what Bill could do, and CRod had lost weight and was looking better in preseason.

Of all of our injuries on offense, I think Ekler's hurts us the least. Which isn't to say it isn't a loss, but it's one we had a more immediate answer to.

You can't play a game minus your top 3 WRs. Unless you have the type of running game the Eagles had last year.

Ekeler WAS one of our top 3 WRs

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Ekeler WAS one of our top 3 WRs

Yeah, that's a fair point. Though I do think McNichols can fill that part of his role pretty well. I'd put Ekler 4th though, behind Ertz. That could be splitting hairs...

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I get it. I really do. I'm not even arguing that the pessimism is ill-advised. I'm just pointing out that none of what has transpired in 2025 happened in a vacuum.

Ultimately NFL games are won by talent and performance not desire and great coaching or halftime speeches. When you don't have the horses, it is very difficult. That's where we have been for most of this season.

FWIW, I'm massively optimistic about short term and medium term success. If it doesn't happen this year, so be it. If it does, great. And a lot of that is the QB question seems to be resolved. However, I also have a lot of faith in Peters, Quinn and Kliff. And I know, maybe Kliff moves on after the season. But that hasn't happened yet.

I think last year's draft class might be slightly under-rated, though Mikey S. needs to play better, and this years class is performing well. Drop another class in, and I think we're going to start seeing more benefits and a younger team.

I also think the roster was trash when Peters got it, and he's had to fill in with older players to be competitive. So we're older and slower than we want to be. That's in large part thanks to what Ron left behind. The age and slowness will tail off as we have more drafts.

I'm totally in for the long haul. This year might just be derailed for reasons NFL seasons often get derailed, and that happens.

 

[Conn]

You guys both make good points, I’m not a sky is falling person either. But the reasons for fan discontent are clear, was really my only point. The injuries probably need to be weighed more heavily, but anyone who watches a lot of football sees teams persevere through injury every week (not counting the Jayden Daniels injuries, which are devastating. You can’t lose your franchise and compete, most weeks. We’re lucky enough that sometimes with Mariota, we can at least attempt it).

The D everyone is properly bamboozled about. Realists, cynics, optimists. All agree it stinks and needs major changes, didn’t improve, looks worse than ever…it is what it is.

But most agree that the offense working is what gives the D a shot to be non-horrific. So we look to the offense. So many injuries, it’s understandable. And many weeks we’re still putting up points.

But right from the start of the season, Daniels looked off. More than missing Terry could account for, Daniels didn’t pick up where he left off and it was clear he’d need some time to get in a rhythm. Then the injuries, right when it seemed like he was getting his groove back. Not a good feeling.

But we talk about the WR injuries, and despite them, young guys like McCaffrey and Lane combine for 3 targets in a blowout. That doesn’t feel productive or reasonable. It frustrates people. You watch around the league and young guys, even developing ones, get shoved into larger roles when needed and a lot of times they show up. It feels stubborn and anti-growth. Losing and not sustaining drives is one thing, doing it while peppering Chris Moore + Chosen Anderson when we’re rebuilding is another, especially when we’ve seen the young guys flash. Reeks of stubbornness. Not a good feeling.

We all spend all offseason having the vibes ruined over the Terry situation, and then he has the season he’s had so far. Everyone looks like assholes, or if you’re generous, just unlucky. Not a good feeling.

We’ve been less aggressive on 3rd and 4th down decision making, and thus, have had shorter drives and have to watch the short bus D more frequently. Not a good feeling.

The injuries are catching up to us after a very healthy year last year. Not a good feeling.

The vets who showed new life and fresher-than-expected legs last year were brought back after we had unexpected success and a young culture growing in the locker room. Now some of them look old, slow, and get taken advantage of each week. Teams are committing elder abuse on us weekly. Not a good feeling.

So it all adds up. Yes, all the reasons are apparent (and maybe under-weighted like you said, Boone). But even if you don’t take them as “excuses”, it’s still a frustrating fan experience when people thought we’d improve over the offseason even if the record was worse. It can still turn around, but the football isn’t good right now, the attempts at solving our obvious problems from the coaching staff don’t seem creative or successful to this point, and it’s not fun to watch. After a taste of good, fun football, it’s obvious why people aren’t happy, even if it makes sense how we got here.

 

[UK Skins]

You guys both make good points, I’m not a sky is falling person either. But the reasons for fan discontent are clear, was really my only point. The injuries probably need to be weighed more heavily, but anyone who watches a lot of football sees teams persevere through injury every week (not counting the Jayden Daniels injuries, which are devastating. You can’t lose your franchise and compete, most weeks. We’re lucky enough that sometimes with Mariota, we can at least attempt it).

The D everyone is properly bamboozled about. Realists, cynics, optimists. All agree it stinks and needs major changes, didn’t improve, looks worse than ever…it is what it is.

But most agree that the offense working is what gives the D a shot to be non-horrific. So we look to the offense. So many injuries, it’s understandable. And many weeks we’re still putting up points.

But right from the start of the season, Daniels looked off. More than missing Terry could account for, Daniels didn’t pick up where he left off and it was clear he’d need some time to get in a rhythm. Then the injuries, right when it seemed like he was getting his groove back. Not a good feeling.

But we talk about the WR injuries, and despite them, young guys like McCaffrey and Lane combine for 3 targets in a blowout. That doesn’t feel productive or reasonable. It frustrates people. You watch around the league and young guys, even developing ones, get shoved into larger roles when needed and a lot of times they show up. It feels stubborn and anti-growth. Losing and lot sustaining drives is one thing, doing it while peppering Chris Moore + Chosen Anderson when we’re rebuilding is another, especially when we’ve seen the young guys flash. Reeks of stubbornness. Not a good feeling.

We all spend all offseason having the vibes ruined over the Terry situation, and then he has the season he’s had so far. Everyone looks like assholes, or if you’re generous, just unlucky. Not a good feeling.

We’ve been less aggressive on 3rd and 4th down decision making, and thus, have had shorter drives and have to watch the short bus D more frequently. Not a good feeling.

The injuries are catching up to us after a very healthy year last year. Not a good feeling.

The vets who showed new life and fresher-than-expected legs last year were brought back after we had unexpected success and a young culture growing in the locker room. Now some of them look old, slow, and get taken advantage of each week. Teams are committing elder abuse on us weekly. Not a good feeling.

So it all adds up. Yes, all the reasons are apparent (and maybe under-weighted like you said, Boone). But even if you don’t take them as “excuses”, it’s still a frustrating fan experience when people thought we’d improve over the offseason even if the record was worse. It can still turn around, but the football isn’t good right now, the attempts at solving our obvious problems from the coaching staff don’t seem creative or successful to this point, and it’s not fun to watch. After a taste of good, fun football, it’s obvious why people aren’t happy, even if it makes sense how we got here.

Excellent post Conn (as usual), 100% how I feel. Thanks.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Conn I think "frustrating fan experience" is a really good way to put it.

 

[McD5]

Daron Payne or we lose by 24.

He's become far and away the best player we have on defense.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Daron Payne or we lose by 24.

He's become far and away the best player we have on defense.

The only upside with losing Payne is there are at least warm bodies who can play inside if Payne misses the game. Kinlaw and Newton can play, and there are others in the rotation.

We have no DEs left. So, I'm not sure who's going to play. Maybe they sign the hot dog vendor from section 517 who has to walk stairs all game and has great stamina. Though I'm assuming a hot dog vendor in KC is a KC fan, so maybe he'd refuse and prefer to sell hot dogs.

 

[RedWolf]

I feel like it's going to be a tough game to watch tonight I hope we stay competitive and give them a run for their money

 

[skinsmarydu]

I feel like it's going to be a tough game to watch tonight I hope we stay competitive and give them a run for their money

Especially with the hypocrisy of the NFL on full display.

 

[Chris]

 

[Riggo44]

And Austin Ekeler - who last year early on was our most productive offensive player. Gone immediately for the season. We've had so many devastating injuries we can't even keep track of them.

Starting strong safety, three DEs--including both starters, top WR for a month, #2 for the two games, #3 for the year, essentially, starting RG for the first 4 weeks, starting QB for three games--maybe more, starting RB, and now starting DT (maybe), and K.

I find it funny that people are complaining about Peters building "a shit roster." No one can survive those injuries.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

Matt Gay was already such a star in Commander fans minds. This will only endear him further.

Not saying his injury is his fault; that rarely fully matters to fans.