If there was a way to sum up the Washington Commanders' preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens, it would be with the messaging head coach Dan Quinn has preached throughout camp: there were some positive moments, but the team still has some work to do before Week 1.
It was the final opportunity for the bottom of the Commanders' roster to make their best case to make the roster, and some of the players may have strengthened their resumes. Tight end Colson Yankoff had the longest play of the day with a 52-yard catch and run. Tyler Owens had an impressive pass breakup near the end of the first half, as did Antonio Hamilton in the third quarter.
But as the clocked wound down on the Commanders' 30-3 loss to the Ravens, it was clear they still needed to make some improvements, particularly in terms of whoever rounds out the initial 53-man roster, before they return to Northwest Stadium for their season opener against the New York Giants.
"We got beat in all three phases," head coach Dan Quinn said after the game.
Most of the Commanders' starters and key players on both sides of the field were ruled out before kickoff, as has become the norm for the final preseason game. As a result, Sam Hartman started in the finale with offensive linemen trying to either make the second group or practice squad and receivers hoping to earn the sixth spot on the depth chart.
Yankoff's 52-yard reception, which lead to Washington's only points on the day, was the lone bright spot for the afternoon, as the offense, led by Hartman and Josh Johnson both struggled. The two quarterbacks combined for four turnovers, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The pick, thrown by Hartman, was the second interception from the quarterback in the final minutes of the first half.