Leading 17-0 well into the third quarter with the Saints’ starting QB for the day benched, the Commanders went into a shell. They grew conservative on offense, settling for one more field goal and missing another try. Throughout the day Sunday, they killed themselves with negative plays — totaling eight sacks, five runs of negative yardage and nine penalties — and ultimately nearly gave up the game. Washington also was too all or nothing offensively, undercutting big gains with lost yards. Jayden Daniels found some early rhythm and was accurate with his throws, but the sacks kept adding up. A playoff spot is there for the taking, and the Commanders keep toying with their food. Coming off their Week 14 bye, they looked sharp early and fizzled late, and their postseason credentials are certainly in doubt. Next week brings a telltale showdown with the red-hot Eagles, which could reveal whether the Commanders are capable of making noise in the playoffs — assuming they do, in fact, get in.