It is the home stretch of the NFL regular season. Several teams are attempting to either make a playoff push or keep on winning to secure their postseason spot. Several former Washington Commanders players are in those battles with their new employers.
Here are two ex-Commanders players who thrived and one who struggled in Week 13.
Former Commanders QB Kirk Cousins floundered in Week 13
Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins' has been a staple on these articles this season. He's also ended up on both sides of the coin.
It has been a very boom-or-bust season for Cousins. Unfortunately for the quarterback, this was arguably his most lackluster outing since joining the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
The Falcons are attempting to keep their lead in the NFC South from a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that has now matched their 6-6 record. The New Orleans Saints, who racked up two wins in a row since interim head coach Darren Rizzi took over, are not entirely out of the divisional race either.
Cousins did not help Atlanta's playoff hopes in Week 13. He threw four interceptions in a 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, displaying erratic distribution and indifferent decision-making at the worst possible stage of the campaign.
The Falcons' defense did everything they could to stay in this game, but Cousins made countless mistakes. These included a 62-yard pick-six by Chargers' rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still.
With rookie first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. waiting in the wings, Cousins needs to get his act together.
Two former Commanders players who thrived in Week 13
Cody Barton
The Denver Broncos are now 8-5 after a win on Monday Night Football over the Cleveland Browns. There is a major similarity that Sean Paton's men have with the Commanders. They have the same record with a rookie quarterback who is very much in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year race.
Although the Browns scored 32 points on the Broncos, Cody Barton played a solid game. He finished with eight total tackles and two defensive stops. He also had a huge interception in the red zone that sealed the win for Denver.
Antonio Gibson
The New England Patriots had a near defeat to the Indianapolis Colts, losing 25-24 after a last-second touchdown and two-point conversion by second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.
The Patriots backfield has been a weird shuffle this season, but Gibson made the most of his opportunity this week. He had seven carries for 62 rushing yards and a touchdown on the day. That's good for 8.9 yards a carry and 50 yards after contact.
His 11-yard touchdown was a beauty that had 10 of those yards after contact.
