The Washington Commanders’ 24-22 loss to Philadelphia in Week 1 gave fans plenty of optimism and anguish, from seeing the offense wake up in the second half (12-18 passing for 121 yards and two touchdowns after intermission) to the defense coughing up big plays in key moments (check out our third down dissection).
Week 1 also means fans go overboard in both directions, as this is the only sample size they have on this year’s team.
Next week will be a referendum on every takeaway from the loss at Lincoln Financial Field.
**First down:** What should the right call have been on that two-point conversion attempt? The shovel pass to tight end John Bates was stuffed behind the line of scrimmage, which led to the loss. While one appreciates the creativity of using a countermove to what the Eagles would expect, there’s a reason why they wouldn’t naturally be thinking Washington would be trying to maximize its talented playmakers in space around the goal line or in the end zone.
And unfortunately, it was the first big call from offensive coordinator David Blough on an afternoon where he seemed to be clicking as the game progressed.
**Second down:** There were two “Scorigami” games (first time those scores have happened in NFL history) as Chicago beat Carolina 59-37 and Minnesota topped Green Bay 39-22. The NFC North looks to be even more interesting when you add in Detroit’s 31-30 overtime squeaker past New Orleans (Saints missed a two-point conversion in OT).
Perhaps the most interesting of the early afternoon games was Buffalo holding off Houston 36-31, thanks to a pair of sacks in the final 25 seconds of regulation.
Naturally #PrestosProPicks was on the wrong side of all four of those games to go 6-8-1 entering Monday Night Football.
**Third down:** Washington converted 5-10 on the money downs with Jayden Daniels completing 6-10 passes with four conversions. He also scrambled for 14 yards while needing 15 in the second quarter (they’d convert a fourth-and-1).
His top target? Stefon Diggs caught two of the three passes thrown his way, moving the chains both times. Rachaad White converted a third-and-1 from the Eagles 19 on their first touchdown drive while getting the ball on two draw plays (average yardage needed 18.5 yards) and getting stuffed on a third-and-1.
**Yardage breakdown:** 2-4 on short-yardage, 1-1 when needing four to six yards and 2-10 on long-yardage. The defense held the Eagles to 6-14 on third down, but four of those six conversions were 20+ yards and a fifth was the first touchdown of the day.
**Flag on the play:** Six penalties were called against Washington totaling 45 yards, with all six infractions coming against the offense. There were two delays of game, two false starts, a hold and an unsportsmanlike conduct. While not being charged to any individual, delay of game usually falls on the quarterback.
The most costly penalty? Stefon Diggs leaping onto the goalpost after scoring his touchdown, pushing the Commanders 15 yards back on the point-after attempt (taking them out of thinking about trying for a two-point conversion) and keeping them behind the Eagles in the fourth quarter.
**Fourth down:** Washington had the top team from FOX covering their broadcast, and the Kevin Burkhardt-Tom Brady duo delivered from the booth while Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi handled things on the sidelines. I liked how the NFL brought back the dueling network doubleheaders for Week 1 this year (they’ll have the same deal in Week 18).
I also enjoyed CBS’ continued revamping of their pregame — it just feels fresher than what FOX offers now. Looking ahead, it appears Burkhardt and Brady will be in the booth for the Week 2 game between Washington and Dallas.
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