The Washington Commanders got the kind of first half that makes preseason film useful and ugly at the same time. In Detroit against the Lions in Preseason Game 2, Washington’s defense spent most of the opening two quarters making plays, while the offense struggled to protect the quarterback and generate much of anything.
The best moments came early and came fast. On the second play of the game, Amik Robertson came free off the left side untouched and dropped Lions backup quarterback Josh Dobbs for a sack-fumble.
Rookie Joshua Josephs pounced on it for a touchdown, and the Lions’ illegal procedure penalty on the snap was declined. It was exactly the kind of instant impact play that can change the tone of a preseason game before it really settles in.
Josephs kept showing up after that, for better and worse. He recovered the Dobbs fumble for the touchdown and looked active at the line before dropping into coverage, with speed and awareness that clearly stand out even if he’s still raw.
But he also got caught biting on a zone-read later, and Dobbs turned that into a 50-yard touchdown run. That pair of snaps summed him up neatly: disruptive, explosive and still learning the finer points.
Quan Martin added another takeaway, picking off a pass Dobbs never should have tried after throwing back across his body. Martin now has interceptions in back-to-back preseason games, and he has looked locked in through the first two weeks.
Washington also got pressure from some players fighting for roster spots. T.
J. Maguranyanga brought down Luke Altmyer early in the second quarter for a nine-yard loss, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste added a sack of Altmyer with nine minutes left in the quarter.
Those are the kinds of plays that keep a name in the conversation.
The other side of the ball told a rougher story. Julian Good-Jones was beaten on the first play of the game when he gave up a sack straight through the A-gap.
John Bates also allowed a sack on play-action and couldn’t stay attached to his block. Nicholas Petit-Frere was beaten for a sack of Sam Hartman, and Hartman lost the ball on the play.
The Commanders’ offense had little room to breathe overall. The starting offense was out there for only three snaps, and the unit struggled to handle the Lions’ run game and pass rush. Washington’s defense kept the game from getting away with two turnovers, including the touchdown return, but the first half was not a clean one on offense.
Van Jefferson also limped off the field and was being looked at by trainers.
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Robertson was upbeat about his time with the Lions afterward, but the matchup still gave fans a little extra pause because it was his impact play that helped produce Washingtons lone score. He also drew a contrast between Dan Quinn and Dan Campbell when discussing the move, which only added to the reminder that Detroit is watching plenty of familiar faces as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]