As the Washington Commanders reflect on their opening week loss to the Philadelphia Eagles 24-22, the team says their mistakes and not the Eagles play. The team defintely respects the Eagles but honest reflection showed an overall effort that should have won them the game. Now as they move on to face the Dallas Cowboys, let’s look back one final time with some tidbits from Sunday’s game.

The Good

• The Front Seven– The defense was diverse and multiple. Exactly what Daronte Jones wanted. The Washington front was able to wear down the Eagles line. With Dorance Armstrong coming back the strength gets a little bit stronger.
• Blough’s Adjustments- In the first half the Eagles defense did a good job of containing the outside zone running game. That sets up the bootleg play action that Offensive Coordinator David Blough wants to run. Seeing this after halftime Blough went to more shotgun and crossing routes that attacked the Eagles in different ways. The adjustments gave Washington a chance to tie the game.
• White on White- Didn’t that white on white uniform combination look clean? Simple yet effective.

The Bad

• Explosives- The Washington defense gave up ten total first downs on Sunday. That is incredible. However they gave up for plays over 30 yards which flipped fields and turned field into touchdowns. Some times it was personnel on the field, others it was one blown coverage, and sometimes a player makes a play. All of those happened and the Commanders could have just  stopped one of those, the game is an different story.
• Stevens Shaky Start- Kicker Drew Stevens dominated the place kicker battle in Training Camp. Unfortunately his first game didn’t go as planned. The first field goal was strong. The first extra point was low and added pressure to the game. Stevens personally cost the team four points. Stevens needs to settle in and show why the Commanders.
• Celebration Foul?- Should Stephon Diggs received that penalty after his touchdown. Was it silly? Yes. Did it hurt the team? Yes. Do I think it should have a penalty? Absolutely not. Unless it is something distrespectful. The NFL runs commercials all the time about touchdown celebrations dances , but this one is too far. I just don’t it is a penalty especially in an NFL East matchup.

The Ugly

• Two Point Conversion- The talk of the game here. If that was first or second down I would definitely try that play. The play is a good design and mostly executed correctly. My issue is the play as a do or die moment Washington severely limited its self. You take the ball out of Jayden Daniels hands in two steps. Daniels made the correct read however Moro Ojomo made a spectacular play to stop it. Blough in the moment overthought the situation. Putting the ball in Daniels hands is always a winning choice.
• Mikey’s Drifting- Mikey Saniristil had a few moments that really cost the team.  Mikey is an aggressive corner but on Sunday his eyes and anticipation was used against him. There is a debate about the first deep shot given on who responsible. It looked like Cover 6 which means Mikey should have stayed with the deep route. There was no doubt about the second one for the touchdown. Mikey needs to execute the play as designed and he will be fine. Otherwise this a copycat league, teams will keep attacking him.
• What’s a False Start- It was week one for the officials as well and there were a few plays that made people shake their heads. LT Brandon Coleman was called for a false start for resetting his feet, a common thing that happens every game. The the shifting play of TE Dallas Geoddart and LT Jordan Mailata moving and pointing but is not called. Officials make mistakes but those seem easy enough to catch.

What’s Next

The Commanders visit another NFC East Rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Cowboys were upset by the new look New York Giants. The loser of this game is 0-2 and in dead last in the division. Games in week two are hardly must win but this wouldn’t be far off. We will preview that game on Friday.

Felix Trammell