After one full review of Washington’s 24-22 season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the biggest issue still points back to the same place: pass protection. Jayden Daniels spent a lot of the first half under pressure, and the Commanders’ offense had trouble stringing together drives. Washington opened with three straight three-and-outs, and the offensive line looked like the main reason things kept stalling out.
John’s second look at the tape also brought some positives into focus, especially from a handful of Commanders newcomers. But the line play stood out for the wrong reasons, and that was the clearest takeaway from watching the game again.
There was also a notable update on one of Washington’s injured defenders. Frankie Luvu’s groin injury from Sunday in Philadelphia is considered “mild,” according to a source, though his availability for Week 2 in Dallas remains TBD.
On the roster front, Washington has also been active. Per the NFL transaction wire, the Commanders brought in several players for a tryout and also hosted iOL Lucas Patrick on a visit. Patrick can play both guard and center and has 65 starts on his résumé.
Snap counts from Sunday showed how Washington distributed the ball on offense. Antonio Williams played 26 of the team’s 70 offensive snaps, which works out to 37 percent.
Terry McLaurin was on the field for 87 percent of the snaps, Stefon Diggs for 63 percent, and Dyami Brown for 53 percent. That usage may not last long if Williams keeps producing the way he did in Week 1.
He was the most efficient receiver on a per-target basis in the opening week, and his play drew attention for good reason. One note on his performance captured it this way: "He's a guy who's speed and strain is always there, but to see that one come together, it was just awesome ...
It was a really cool play, and I got to see it probably like everybody else did from the network feed afterwards. And it was one of my favorite plays in a long time on special teams for sure."
Tyler Owens also made noise after winning the Angry Runs scepter this week. His reaction was straightforward: "It's fitting because I was actually angry"
Owens also described the battle in the return game, saying, “Then on the second, they had kind of caught on and they were really playing hard inside,” Owens said of Jones and Cooper. “I still tried to inside release and they were holding me hard.
I tried to tell the ref, like, ‘Can you watch the jammers?’ Because you could easily see they were holding - they were holding my hair, holding my jersey.
So I was like, all right, I’m going to fake outside because they’re playing so hard inside that I’m just going to try to split them.”
In Other News...
Stefon Diggs Faced A Big Commanders Test After Costly Mistake
Stefon Diggs gave Washington an unexpected lesson in how quickly a big play can turn into a costly one after his ill-advised touchdown celebration near the goalpost wiped out the chance for the Commanders to try a two-point conversion against the Eagles. For a team trying to stack wins and sharpen the little details, it was the kind of mistake that stands out immediately because it changes more than just the next snap.
Dan Quinn said Diggs later apologized privately to the team and promised to be more self-aware moving forward, and the veteran receiver also stepped up in the locker room to own it. The episode left the Commanders with a frustrating what-if, but it also showed how quickly accountability matters inside a team that expects its leaders to respond the right way when something goes sideways. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Quinn Just Raised The Stakes For Mike Sainristil
Mike Sainristil had a rough night against the Eagles, and it showed up in the biggest moments of Washingtons loss. The second-year corner was part of the breakdowns that helped tilt the game, and head coach Dan Quinn did not shy away from putting the spotlight on his focus and execution after the fact. For a player who had been building trust in a young secondary, it was the kind of public nudge that instantly raises the temperature.
Now the conversation is no longer just about one bad outing, but about what comes next if the lapses continue. Washington has options behind him, including veterans and other prospects who could force a change in the cornerback pecking order if Quinn and the staff decide the standard is not being met. For Sainristil, the margin for error just got a lot thinner. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Big Defensive Question Adam Peters Must Answer
The Commanders cornerback group came out of Week 1 with more questions than answers, and it showed up in a loss that left Washington searching for help on the back end. With the defense under pressure early, the idea of adding another starting-caliber corner has started to make the rounds, and Pittsburghs Joey Porter Jr. has quickly become the name to watch.
Porter is still playing on his rookie deal and has yet to land an extension, which only adds to the trade buzz around him. Whether Adam Peters decides to push on a deal is another matter, since any move would have to balance the price in compensation with the long-term contract piece, but the Commanders clearly have a defensive issue that could force their hand. [Read more 🡒]