4 winners (and 3 losers) from the Commanders’ narrow triumph at the Saints

The Washington Commanders didn’t make it easy in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints. For a long time it seemed as if this would be another comfortable away win for Dan Quinn’s team. A lull in the second half almost saw them snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Washington needed a two-point conversion stop with no time left to secure a crucial win en route to the postseason. They remain in the seventh seed after the Green Bay Packers easily defeated the Seattle Seahawks Football on Sunday evenings. But to keep the Los Angeles Rams at bay, things will have to improve dramatically.

A win is a win. The Commanders used their release card to secure a winning record with three contests remaining. It wasn’t easy, but an ugly win is just as important as teams being eliminated.

It wouldn’t have been so dramatic if the clock hadn’t frozen at the nine-second mark, but that didn’t matter in the end. Consider this a lucky escape and make sure the same mistakes don’t happen in their discouraging Week 16 home game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

This is for the not too distant future. For now, here are four winners and three losers from Washington’s victory at Caesars Superdome.

Winner #1

Johnny Newton – Commander’s DL

With Daron Payne not at 100 percent and Phidarian Mathis a healthy scratch again, the onus fell on Johnny Newton to step up and make his presence felt. The second-round pick responded with an outstanding performance.

Newton begins to come to life. Injuries during the offseason prevented him from contributing immediately. When Jonathan Allen left in Week 6 with a torn biceps, the former Illinois star was thrown into the fire.

It’s not perfect, but Newton’s progress is encouraging. He was a disruptive force for the Washington Commanders in this instance, maintaining a core base by directing plays and generating pressure from the interior when the situation called for it.

Allen hasn’t given up hope of being back this season. Regardless of whether he returns, Newton appears to be a future cornerstone to build on.