Washington opened with a 21-6 win that spotlighted Croskey-Merritt as a new rushing spark and Deebo Samuel as the primary receiving option, with Jayden Daniels showing mobility and efficiency. Samuel piled up 77 receiving yards and a 19-yard TD, while Croskey-Merritt added an early TD and a late burst to close out the win. Washington’s defense, led by Daron Payne, steadied after a penalty-heavy day but faces a tougher test at Green Bay on a short week.

The performance hints at fantasy upside for Samuel as a volume-driven receiver in this offense, and Croskey-Merritt could emerge as a season-long sleeper in the Commanders’ backfield as the competition thins. Daniels’ legs supplied additional fantasy taxi-squad value, while the defense offered week-winning upside with red-zone stops and sacks.

Washington’s Week 1 win over New York shifted the NFL spotlight to a defense that appears rebuilt and dangerous. Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne anchored Washington’s run defense, stifling the Giants to 231 total yards and 74 on the ground, signaling a potential fantasy-friendly front for Week 2 and beyond. Nine-pressure outings from Dorance Armstrong underscore a disruptive front, though penalties remain a concern to monitor.

Public chatter swelled as Packers and Bills opened with strong performances, with Kinlaw’s crew drawing praise even as Dan Quinn cautioned about clean-up work. The Packers’ surge and the Bills’ dramatic finish helped shift early-season odds and confidence for fantasy playoff runs. Look for Kinlaw and Payne to anchor interior pressure and for Washington’s line to remain a favorable streaming option against less aggressive offenses.

No team dominated the headlines more than Buffalo after the Allen-Ravens thriller, lifting Bills to favorite status for many bettors. Meanwhile, chatter around Micah Parsons’ hypothetical Packers trade fed the narrative that elite pass-pressure is the currency that unlocks deep fantasy and playoff optimism for teams riding stout defensive fronts.

Six quick takeaways from Commanders' 2025 defensive depth chart: 12 starters listed, with Von Miller tagged as an outside linebacker in a likely situational role. New starters Deatrich Wise Jr., Javon Kinlaw, Marshon Lattimore, Trey Amos and Will Harris anchor the unit. Jer'Zhan Newton starts behind Payne and Kinlaw; Noah Igbinoghene backs up inside/slot behind Mike Sainristil. LB depth is thin behind Jordan Magee and Nick Bellore; rookies Kain Medrano and Ale Kaho may contribute later. Special teams: Matt Gay, Deebo Samuel, Jaylin Lane.

Washington's 2025 defensive line overhaul shifts from Allen and Fowler to a rotation featuring Kinlaw, Goldman, Day, Martin, Holmes, Ferrell, and Wise, with Payne and Newton back and Von Miller added as a situational edge. The plan centers on size, interior disruption, and multiple rushing options to improve the run defense and pressure in waves. Cutdown day looms as Peters trims to a 53-man DL with youth and versatility under consideration.