Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn knows Thursday night could be it.

The Commanders will head north to take on the NFC East division leaders, the New York Giants. Sunday, after the 20-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Jayden Daniels didn’t hold back, saying this is a must-win game or the season is finished, as far as making the playoffs is concerned.

Quinn was asked about the weight of Thursday’s game at New York. The loss Sunday, combined with the Cowboys and Giants wins, put the Commanders another game back of both rivals.

"Well, I think I told the guys I have been in the league a long time, and I’ve seen a lot of crazy scenarios," Quinn said. "So you never really know how the season is going to play out. So, I generally refrain from the one-game statements. But what I will say is, man, we need this win this week.”

Unfortunately for Quinn, he himself most likely needs the win this week as well. Owner Josh Harris has correctly made no statement through the media regarding whether Quinn will return in 2027. What is certain is that the Commanders will need to string together some wins down the stretch if Quinn is going to be coaching here next fall. Quinn didn’t hesitate to talk about the importance of Thursday’s game.

“There’s no doubt, and I think everyone in this building understands that. So I am not one (who is ) big on declarations, but I think everybody here knows the importance of this game, Thursday night. Our readiness to go battle the division leaders at their spot. So, you know, we all know how badly we need this.”

The chances are already slim that the Commanders can catch and pass both the Cowboys, who are two games ahead, and the Giants, who are three games ahead of the Commanders. A win Thursday gives the team some hope it can make a run. A loss, and everyone knows the playoffs are out of reach.