NFL power rankings roundup: Where are the Commanders ahead of Week 18?

Washington wanted to extend him in the offseason, but the ownership change prevented the team from making big moves. Curl is a glue player for the defense, although that group has struggled mightily this season. Still, he has been a solid starter for four seasons — although he’s not a playmaker, with only one interception and one forced fumble in his career. Those latter stats will depress his value, although he still could command a deal that averages around $15 million per year. He remains a solid starter capable of playing in the box, rotating deep, or being used in a hybrid safety/linebacker role and covering tight ends. A lot will be determined by how he’d fit in whatever defense Washington uses next season after the expected coaching changes. But Curl should be a priority for a new staff. — John Keim

If I’m Jacoby Brissett – and I’m definitely not – given the option of making my first start of 2023 against the Niners defense or resting my balky hammy … well, not much of a decision really.

It seems pretty clear that Ron Rivera was hoping that convincing everyone Howell was the long-term answer at quarterback would buy him some more time in Washington. Howell isn’t and it won’t. After Jacoby Brissett played well in Weeks 15 and 16, Howell was forced back into the lineup Sunday because of Brissett’s hamstring injury. The result was a 17-for-28 day with 169 yards, two interceptions and a touchdown. The Commanders will have a new coach and a new quarterback next season.

We’ve watched Sam Howell crest and fall multiple times, and another strange week was a nice little encapsulation of his strange season. Howell was benched heading into Week 17 after being outplayed by Jacoby Brissett. Then, Brissett suffered a hamstring injury later in the week, and Howell was reinserted as the starter against the 49ers. Howell actually responded to the challenge well, at least early on, looking poised and confident while completing nine of his 13 passes for 100 yards and a TD in the first half. But his propensity for turnovers re-emerged after halftime, when he threw two ill-advised picks, the first of which came in the fourth quarter when Washington was threatening to make it a one-score contest. Instead, the 49ers turned Howell’s first INT into a 27-10 lead, and his second pick pretty much sealed up the Commanders’ loss. Whoever is calling the shots for Washington next season likely won’t accept the poor ball security we’ve seen from Howell, who hasn’t gone more than one game without a pick all year.

The clock is ticking toward seismic changes.

There will be sweeping changes after the season. It’s gone from bad to really bad in a lot of ways.

Washington has the second pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, according to Tankathon. Beating the Cowboys in Week 18 and potentially ruining their bid for an NFC East title would be a fun way to end the season. But let’s be honest: The next 10 years might look a lot brighter if Washington loses Sunday.

Washington made a big statement last year by beating Dallas in Week 18. Maybe they can do that again this year — though I’m not sure that’d be enough to save Ron Rivera’s job.

The Commanders looked alive offensively and defensively for a brief moment against the 49ers before all their overall talent and QB shortcomings came to light again. Ron Rivera likely won’t see the next rebuilding step.