The Washington Commanders fell to the Baltimore Ravens, 17-15 in their final preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium.
The team concludes their offseason schedule with a record of 0-3, but in the grand scheme of the season, this is largely irrelevant. What can be deduced from these exhibition games is the “stock” of players, many of whom are trying to make the roster.
Yesterday’s performance displayed positive signs from the offense, who seem to find life with quarterback Sam Howell under center. The team appeared to move the ball down the field at will, although they struggled to cash in on the endzone.
Some concerning trends persisted from the defense, with three plays of over 50 yards surrendered by the secondary.
We will highlight the good and the bad performances from yesterday’s matchup below. Let’s get it started.
The Good
- As I mentioned in the lede, the passing offense was very effective under the direction of Howell, who threw the ball for 280 yards and a touchdown. In addition to his decisive passing, the UNC product proved to be elusive in the pocket and created on his own. He ran the ball eight times for 62 yards, mostly while evading pressure. Altogether, Howell accumulated 342 yards of offense in his first professional start. He has proven to be a late-round gem as a fifth round selection.
- Running back Jarret Patterson made the most of his opportunities yesterday, generating 47 yards from 11 carries (4.3 avg). He also hauled in all four of his targets, and added 45 yards in the air (11.3 avg). He made a strong case for himself to make the team. Although he may face an uphill battle, I appreciate his shiftiness in the open field, and contact balance. The team can do much worse than have him as RB4.
- Wide receiver Dax Milne should make the roster as the team’s sixth wide receiver. He was sure-handed in yesterday’s game, bringing in all four of his targets. I like him as a slot WR who can win quick. He had three catches in the first quarter, before giving way to Marken Michel later in the game.
- Altogether, the first offensive unit was efficient and sharp. Operationally, they were in and out of the huddle, and seemed to be a step ahead of the Ravens’ defense. At the end of the first quarter, the 1st team held the ball for nearly 12 minutes, putting up 110 yards.
- Conversely, the Commanders’ defense showed up as well. Through most of the first half, the Ravens had zero rushing yards, and no first downs.
- Daniel Wise continued his strong offseason, by proving he’s an all-around defensive tackle. He flashed in run support and breaking the pocket in passing situations. I think he is a shoo-in to make the roster.
- I also liked what I saw from Jamin Davis’ limited time on the field. He had an excellent tackle for loss in the first quarter, where he had backside pursuit. He ran down the line and wrangled the Ravens’ running back on second down. This forced Baltimore to have a long third down the next play, and they did not convert.
- Health. The team ended the offseason in relative good health, and that’s really all you can ask for.
Around Full Press Coverage
NFL OPINION: Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson Suspended Six Games
-
Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm
NFL: 2022 NFL Breakout Candidates: NFC North
NFL: NFL Rumors: Ndamukong Suh, Sean Payton, Sunday Ticket
FULL PRESS BETS: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored
FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football Value Picks In Every Round
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Weekly Ep 39: Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB
The Bad
- Although the defensive line shined yesterday, the secondary did the complete the opposite. They surrendered three pass plays of over 50 yards. Many of which came off of double moves or sluggos (a route combination of a slant and going vertical).
- One major culprit was Danny Johnson, who surrendered a 67-yard touchdown to Demarcus Robinson (see above). The fifth-year veteran has struggled most of the preseason, and was identified as a negative factor in my Carolina Panthers write-up a few weeks ago. Johnson got caught cheating a slant route on Robinson, and was easily ran past in the second quarter. That touchdown flipped the game’s momentum, and the Commanders trailed for the remainder of the game.
- Center Jon Toth had a couple of procedural penalties and the offensive line suffered two false starts as a result. Granted, Toth is a new addition, and is unlikely to make the team. Yet, his false start on third and goal at the one yard in the third quarter may have cost the team the game.
- Speaking of which, the second half of the game became sloppy for the Commanders as they began to accrue penalties. These mental errors halted drives, and took points off the board.
- Wide Receiver Dyami Brown had two crucial drops early in the game. One of which could have been a touchdown. Both tosses were accurately thrown by Howell, and the receiver should have hauled them in. This performance epitomizes Brown’s offseason, which has been lackluster and lacking plays of note.
- Joey Slye missed his second field goal of the offseason in the first quarter. A concern considering the team has only played three games.
Notes
The Washington Commanders are now done for the offseason, and will play their first regular season game, at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The game will be at 1pm on FOX on September 11th.
Washington will also make final roster selections by Tuesday, August 30th at 4pm. The roster will be trimmed to 53 players. Sixteen practice squad players will also be selected, but these additional players can’t be chosen until August 31st, after they clear waivers.
-
Ep 171: Discussing The Career Of George Kunz With Son Mattby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Matt Kunz, son of former Colts lineman George […]
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
Quick Film Room Review of NFL Week 3--Dolphins soar, Jets grounded & Chargers still undercoachedby LandryFootball.com on September 25, 2023 at 1:40 pm
We give you a Film Room Review on all the NFL games from Sunday, breaking […]
-
Oregon interrupts the Colorado Circus act & the culpable mediaby LandryFootball.com on September 24, 2023 at 4:30 pm
The Colorado hype train is silenced, Land Kiffin continues to come up […]
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 303: Ambiguous Situations in Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on August 29, 2023 at 2:47 pm
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reactionby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
The Green Bay Packers were in another 1-point game, this time a 18-17 win […]
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-25 - Recapping the Wild’s preseason opener.by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Preseason, Daemon Hunt, injury Learn more about your ad choices. Visit […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Mattersby Charlie Saunier on September 24, 2023 at 5:01 am
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: The Case For Karlby Charlie Saunier on September 22, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: The Case For Karl Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-21 - Training camp, Prospects, Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Previewing training camp, looking at prospects. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-21 - Kyle Davidson’s Presser Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Reacting to what Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson said to media, […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
9/15 - Eagles Survive Vikings; Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles win over the Vikings and preview Week 2. […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Full Press MMA - 9-25 - Israel Drinks & Drives while Colby hates Stricklandby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
Portland Trail Blazers Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
-
Full Press MMA - 9-22 - Colby’s back for the Title…But why?by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:30 pm
-
Ep. 279: Wilmington Head Basketball Coach Dan Burkeby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reactionby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
-
Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm
-
Ep 183: The Sandmanby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Steelers at Raiders - Eagles at Bucs - Rams at Bengalsby Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Phoenix Suns Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "The Rock Says..."by Boot 2 The Face on September 24, 2023 at 3:12 pm
On this episode of B2TF we talk AEW, WWE, NXT, Becky Lynch, Jey Uso, Raw, […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Back To Back Events Just Too Much... Let's Enjoy All Inby Full Press Coverage on September 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Andy McNamara as they discuss […]
-
Ep 183: The Sandmanby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're diving back into the extreme and looking at the career of […]