Week 7: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who caught a long touchdown pass and late in the game made two key catches for first downs, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after helping the Commanders earn their second consecutive win, 23-21 over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

“Our playmakers stepped up and made plays, starting with Terry,” Washington Coach Ron Rivera said. “Terry had a tremendous game, did some big things.”

McLaurin, in his fourth year with the Commanders, signed a $71 million contract extension this past offseason. But the beginning of the season had been a bit of a struggle. After consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 yards receiving. McLaurin had just one touchdown and one 100-yard game in the season’s first six games.

On Sunday, however, McLaurin came through when Washington needed it most. His 37-yard touchdown catch early in the third quarter gave the Commanders their first lead, 17-14. Later, nursing a 23-21 lead and trying to run out the clock, McLaurin caught a 14-yard pass for a first down. Then, on third-and-9, McLaurin made a difficult 12-yard catch, allowing Washington to run off more time and leave Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers just 29 seconds on the Packers’ final possession.

McLaurin finished the game with five catches for 73 yards.

“Third down and you know who is on the other side of that field – you give him the ball with too much time and he’s going to put his team in a situation to make a play to win the game,” McLaurin said. “We knew we needed a first down. When I heard the play call, I knew it was going to come to me. That was a moment I was extremely happy for and confident about. That’s what you want as a player when you put the work in and put the time in. The reason why you grind is to be in those moments.

“I want those moments. I don’t think it just happens. You have to put the work in. You’ve got to earn that respect from your teammates and you need to go out there and make the play.”