Washington
Commanders’ returning running back excited to ‘build upon’ 2024’s success
The Washington Commanders knew at the end of last season that things wouldn’t be the same this season.
With all of the success the Commanders generated in their first year under head coach Dan Quinn, there was going to be a new feel to the way other NFL teams approached them in the coming year.
However, on top of that, the roster in Washington would also look different, because they always do when the seasons change.
For those who are returning, like running back Jeremy McNichols, coming back to the Commanders means enveloping those new teammates and enabling them to help this roster climb even higher than the last.
“I think it brings a lot of confidence,” McNichols said about returning along with the several free agents Washington brought back so far this offseason. “We have something to build upon. We started to build a solid foundation last year, and I think with the guys coming in, the expectations that you have when you come to the Commanders now and the expectations that we have when we go play on Sunday–nobody holds a higher expectation than we hold in this building. So I just think just having something to build on and knowing the playbook and just having familiar faces around throughout the building is a great advantage for us.”
Of course, speaking literally the only way to improve upon last year is to make it to the Super Bowl.
Realistically, there’s a larger chance the team regresses in that sense, because even a loss in the Divisional Round of the playoffs would be deemed a step backward.
Just because the odds say the Commanders won’t be able to do that, however, doesn’t mean they can’t. And McNichols knows he and his teammates are going to take the right approach to reaching whatever level of competitiveness they do this season.
“Anything’s possible, but it just starts with just starting all over again and taking one day at a time, and we know the ultimate goal. We know the process that’s going to take us to get to where we want to go, so we need to just enjoy it every single day and keep laying those bricks every single day, continue to strive to be better and I think at the end of the day we will get what we want.”
READ MORE: Cowboys sign Commanders star pass rusher to $8 million deal in free agency
Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the offseason.
• Commanders re-sign OL who made history with Jayden Daniels
• Commanders sign former Eagles, Steelers offensive lineman in free agency
• Feeling the ‘love’ brought RB Jeremy McNichols back to the Commanders
• Former Chicago Bears edge rusher signs $3 million deal with Commanders
After a flat performance last week, the Lions travel to Washington to face a familiar foe on Sunday afternoon, taking on the Commanders in a rematch of last season’s NFL divisional playoff game.
Detroit looked rusty and undisciplined in its Week 9 loss to the Vikings, a stunning upset that now has the team at 1-2 in the NFC North. Sitting at 5-3 in a division where all four teams are at .500 or better, the margin for error for the Lions has become even slimmer as the season goes past its halfway mark.
The loss was followed by a quiet trade deadline for the team, as there weren’t many options available to help bolster an offensive line that suffered a rash of injuries during the Vikings game.
Injuries have also derailed the Commanders’ season, with quarterback Jayden Daniels being in and out of the lineup this season as Washington comes into this game at 3-6 after losing four consecutive games. Daniels will miss this rematch after suffering an arm injury in last week’s loss against the Seahawks.
Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Kameron Goodwill.
Lions at Commanders
▶ Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland
▶ TV/radio: FOX/97.1 FM
▶ Records: Lions are 5-3; Commanders are 3-6
▶ Line: Lions by 8½
▶ Series: Washington leads, 32-16, including postseason (Last meeting: Jan. 18, 2025 — Commanders 45, (at) Lions 31, NFC divisional playoff round)
Wisconsin fans storm field after Badgers break six-game losing streak
Wisconsin football fans stormed the field at Camp Randall Stadium after the Badgers’ 13-10 win over Washington.
The bars are staying open late tonight in Madison, Wisconsin.
For the first time in 63 days, Wisconsin football has won a game, as the Badgers defeated Washington 13-10 at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8. It is the first win for Luke Fickell’s squad in Big Ten play, moving their conference record this season to 1-5.
Given the drought the Badgers were on, fans didn’t hold back from getting their postgame celebrations underway as they stormed the field as the clock went triple zeros.
Wisconsin entered the week on a six-game losing skid, which featured losses to then-No. 19 Alabama, then-No. 20 Michigan, No. 1 Ohio State and two unranked defeats at home against Maryland and Iowa. The Badgers were a 10.5-point underdog against Washington, which was ranked No. 23 in the College Football Playoff top 25.
The Badgers also entered Saturday’s Big Ten game in a scoring drought at home, as they were shut out in back-to-back games against Iowa (37-0) and Ohio State (34-0) in their previous two home games. That drought was snapped at the 13:44 mark of the first quarter when Nathanial Vakos hit a 42-yard field goal.
The eventual game winner for the Badgers on Saturday against Washington was a 32-yard field goal from Vakos at the end of the third quarter. Badgers punter Sean West finished as the team’s leading passer, as he completed a 24-yard completion on a fake punt attempt.
Here’s another look at the field storming at Camp Randall from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s John Steppe:
The win also comes just a few days after Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh announced Fickell would return for the 2026 college football season amid the Badgers’ struggles.
“I can see a path forward,” McIntosh told the Journal Sentinel on Thursday on keeping Fickell. “I can see a plan that we can execute and I can see a way for us to be successful and competitive in ‘26 and beyond.
Does the Big Ten fine teams for rushing the field?
No. Unlike the SEC, Big 12 and ACC, there is no fine in place for fans who rush the field in the Big Ten. According to an ESPN article from Feb. 26, 2024, the Big Ten does have “punishments” in place for such events.
“• Big Ten: A discretionary fine can result on a third offense for failure to “provide adequate security for visiting teams from their arrival for a game through their departure.” There is a private reprimand for a first offense; a public reprimand for second.”
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Dallas Mavericks (2-7, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Washington Wizards (1-8, 15th in the Eastern Conference)
Washington; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Mavericks -3.5; over/under is 228.5
BOTTOM LINE: Dallas hits the road against Washington looking to break its three-game road skid.
Washington finished 18-64 overall with an 8-33 record at home during the 2024-25 season. The Wizards averaged 108.0 points per game while allowing opponents to score 120.4 last season.
Dallas went 39-43 overall with a 17-25 record on the road last season. The Mavericks averaged 25.2 assists per game on 42.0 made field goals last season.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Wizards won 117-107 in the last matchup on Oct. 25. Kyshawn George led the Wizards with 34 points, and Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 27 points.
INJURIES: Wizards: Kyshawn George: day to day (illness), Bilal Coulibaly: day to day (leg).
Mavericks: Anthony Davis: day to day (leg), Kyrie Irving: out (knee), Dante Exum: day to day (knee), Dereck Lively II: out (knee).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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