After a poor performance against the Packers last Thursday night, the Commanders not only need to win today, they need to look good doing it. That could be a challenge with several starters missing.
Both RB Austin Ekeler and DE Deatrich Wise were placed on season-ending IR after suffering injuries in Green Bay. CB Jonathan Jones also went to IR, though he is expected to return later in the season. The Commanders elevated veteran CB Antonio Hamilton Sr from the practice squad this week to help with
the secondary depth.
Three other offensive players are out this week. Blocking TE John Bates and WR Noah Brown are both out with groin injuries, but the most recognizable name on this week’s injury report is that of starting QB Jayden Daniels, who hurt his knee midway through the game against the Packers, but still played every offensive snap of that game.
Daniels will be replaced by Marcus Mariota, which should give a lot of confidence to Washington fans based on how the backup QB played in his two extended appearances last season — wins against the Panthers and Cowboys — and the fact that he has had 9 days to get mentally and physically prepared for today’s game.
On exactly 100 offensive snaps last year, Mariota completed 77% of his passes at 10 yards per attempt, throwing 4 TDs without an interception en route to a QBR of 86.3. On 18 rushing attempts last season, he rushed for 92 yards, 6 first downs and a touchdown. He’ll be backed up by veteran Josh Johnson.
Due to coach’s decision, both of today’s offensive guards will be starting for the first time this season. LG Brandon Coleman is being benched and will be inactive today with Chris Paul starting in his stead. At RG, Nick Allegretti is being replaced by Andrew Wylie. Trent Scott will be active for the first time this season and will be the backup swing tackle.
The Raiders struggled in their game against the Chargers on Monday night, mustering only 9 points on offense as QB Geno Smith suffered through a 3-interception game. Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty has struggled to produce behind poor offensive line play and has been criticized for poor effort and execution as a pass protector. The Raiders’ 31st-ranked scoring offense will be looking to bounce back against a Commanders defense that is ranked 16th in yards allowed, but only 6th in points allowed.
The Washington offense, which ranks 14th in yards but only 23rd in points, will face a Las Vegas defense that allows only 16.5 points per game — the same as Washington’s D. Through two weeks, the Raiders defense is ranked 4th in rushing yards allowed (70.5) but 27th in passing yards allowed (256.0). While many Commanders fans have been calling for Kliff Kingsbury to run the ball this week — something the offense didn’t do in the loss to the Packers — the opponent may dictate greater reliance on Mariota’s ability to work the middle of the field, with McLaurin, Samuel and Ertz providing key targets in an aerial attack aimed at building an early lead against the Raiders’ stingy scoring defense.
First Quarter
The Commanders started the game with the ball; they ran the first offensive play from the Raiders 27-yard line after Deebo nearly took the opening kickoff to the house. A fantastic start for the good guys!!
Chris Rodriguez opened the game with a pair of runs to set up 1st & goal at the 8-yard line.
It was Rodriguez again on 1st & 2nd down to set up 3rd & goal from the 2-yard line. On 3rd down, Marcus Mariota took the snap in shotgun, didn’t like what he saw, and tucked the ball to run, scoring a TD right up the middle.
After Matt Gay’s PAT, the score was 7-0 with just under 12 minutes left in the quarter. The drive — 4 runs by Rodriguez and a Mariota scramble — lasted 5 plays and covered 27 yards.
The Raiders started their first offensive possession at the 40-yard line after Gay’s kickoff went out of bounds inside the Raiders 5-yard line. Not good.
The first play was huge; Geno Smith rolled right and hit WR Jakobi Meyers on a deep pass + run to the Washington 15-yard line.
RB Ashton Jeanty was stuffed for no gain my Daron Payne on 2nd & 9; on 3rd down, Smith nearly hit TE Brock Bowers in the end zone, but Will Harris knocked the pass to the ground. Pete Carroll opted for the 37-yard field goal (following a pre-snap penalty) to make the score 7-3. Good red zone stand by the Commanders.
Washington’s 2nd offensive drive began at the 30-yard line with under 10 minutes to play after a 23-yard return by Samuel.
Chris Rodriguez got his 5th carry of the game, followed by a 9-yard completion to McLaurin for another 1st down.
A direct snap to Deebo went for 9 yards; then tragedy happened. Marcus Mariota ran a QB designed run out of a -back set, and went over 20 yards downfield before fumbling the ball when tackled. Former Commander Kyu Blu Kelly recovered the ball for the Raiders at the Vegas 20-yard line.
The Commanders have moved the ball well on every play, but the turnover is a costly mistake.
Geno Smith was sacked by Dorance Armstrong on 1st down — the DE’s 3rd sack in 3 games!
After a short run by Jeanty, the Raiders faced 3rd & 12 inside their own 20-yard line with about 6 1/2 minutes to play in the quarter. A checkdown to Bowers went nowhere — 3 & out and the Raiders punted from their own 27-yard line.
A 7-yard return by rookie Jaylin Lane gave Marcus Mariota and the offense a start at around the 25-yard line. So far, the Commanders offense has looked unstoppable except for the fumble. With 75 yards of green grass in front of them, let’s see if they can add to the lead here.
Bill Merritt got on the field as the lone running back for the first time. His 5 yard gain was erased by a holding flag.
On 1st & 20, Curtis Samuel bobbled a ball that hit him square in the chest about 20 yards downfield. The ball was in the air for a long time amid a gaggle of Raiders defenders, but no one was able to get the interception.
On the next play, a personal foul was called on the Raiders defense on a hit on Deebo, giving the Commanders a fresh set of downs near the 40-yard line.
The next three plays earned the Commanders three more first downs and set them up with 1st & 10 inside the Raiders 25-yard line.
Bill Merritt remained in the game and took a dumpoff pass for 5 yards to bring up 3rd & 5 at the Vegas 19 yard line.
On 3rd down, Mariota went to Jaylin Lane in the end zone. Lane was unable to handle the ball, and Matt Gay came out for a 37-yard field goal attempt — and missed!
The booth announcers were sure that the Raiders had been offsides on the 3rd down play, but the refs didn’t see it so it didn’t happen. Washington has out-gained the Raiders 123 yards to 50 yards, but still lead by only 4 points on the scoreboard.
The Raiders 3rd offensive drive began at the 27-yard line with Jeanty getting stuffed for no gain. At this point, he’s got 4 carries for 2 yards. After an incomplete pass, on 3rd & 10, two Commanders defenders had several opportunities to intercept the pass but it ended up hitting the grass.
It’s another 3 & out forced by the Commanders defense. Geno Smith is 2-5 for 51 yards so far.
An excellent 25-yard return by Jaylin Lane was wiped out by a holding penalty. Raiders player, Michael Mayer was shaken up on the play and was helped from the field to the locker room.
Bill stayed in the game, but Samuel got the handoff on 1st down as the quarter came to an end.
Second Quarter
Two plays later, the Commanders were well into enemy territory. On 2nd & 1 from the 31 yard line, Bill went for 9 yards. So far, the Raiders have not been able to slow down the run game.
A holding call against Andrew Wylie forced 2nd & 16 at the 38-yard line. On 3rd & 12, a false start penalty on McLaurin pushed the offense back to the 38-yard line. Any field goal from here will be problematic.
Ertz gained 10 yards, and Matt Gay came back on the field to scattered boos from the crowd. He nailed the 45-yard attempt to make the score 10-3.
Washington has outgained the Raiders 182 to 50 yards and has 9 first-downs versus just 1 for Las Vegas, but hold only a 7-point lead thanks to the fumble, and a missed field goal, and a dropped TD pass. Too many mistakes.
The Raiders get the ball again with just under 10 minutes left in the first half. So far, Geno and Jeanty have looked uncomfortable while Mariota and Washington’s stable of runners have looked at ease. Commanders need the defense to keep it that way.
Geno extended a play under pressure on 2nd down and completed a 9-yard pass to bring up 3rd & 1 near the 29-yard line. Dan Quinn challenged the ruled completion on 2nd down but lost; the play stood as called on the field.
On 3rd & 1, the Raiders lined up in a stack formation to the left. Geno, under pressure again, rolled right again, and hit Tucker for 18 yards. On the resulting 1st down play, Jeanty finally broke loose up the middle for 16 yards to the Commanders 36-yard line.
An offensive penalty on 2nd down pushed the ball back, bringing up 2nd & 14. Geno, suddenly hot, completed another pass for 17 yards; it was followed by an 11-yard run by Jeanty when Trey Amos missed a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. Vegas had the 1st down at the 13-yard line.
On 2nd & 7, Geno Smith completed his passing clinic by floating a 10-yard TD pass to Tucker, who was all alone in the end zone.
Following the PAT, the game was tied at 10-10.
The Commanders opened their next drive at the 35-yard line following the touchback with just over 4 minutes left in the half.
The Commanders went to a “pony” backfield with McNichols and Rodriguez both on the field. A 2nd down handoff to McNichols went for 60 yards and a touchdown!!
No 26 broke about 3 tackles at the line of scrimmage to make the play almost all by himself.
Washington has now rushed for 171 yards and two TDs with 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the half.
The Raiders got the ball at the 30-yard line after the kickoff.
Will Harris was shaken up on 2nd down and was replaced at safety by Jeremy Reaves.
On 3rd & 1 from the Vegas 39-yard line, Jeanty was stuffed again as the clock ticked down to 2 minutes to force 4th & 1.
Following the time out, Pete Carroll decided to run Geno Smith on a QB sneak, which the Raiders converted to keep themselves alive ahead of halftime.
Two plays later, Bobby Wagner got a sack against Smith to force 3rd & 17 with well under a minutes to play.
Washington forced the punt with 00:36 left on the clock.
Jaylin Lane’s 10-yard return gave Washington the ball at the 35-yard line with 27 seconds remaining, but no time outs.
The Raiders appeared to sack Mariota on 3rd down, but a facemask penalty made it 1st & 10 at the 41-yard line with 8 seconds left. Mariota ran a called sprint out of bounds to the left. Mariota ran over Dan Quinn as he went out of bounds, bloodying his nose — a picture I’m sure you’ll see all over Twitter in the next 24 hours.
Matt Gay came out to attempt a 55-yard field goal as time expired. He missed the first swing of his leg wide left when LV called time out. On the 2nd swing of his leg — the one that counted — Matt Gay hit the 3-pointer to make the score 20-10 at the half.
The Raiders will get the ball to open the 2nd half.
Halftime Stats
Statistics via ESPN
Third Quarter
The Raiders opened the 2nd half with their offense on the field at the 29-yard line. Jeremy Reaves is still on the field in relief of Will Harris.
After two plays — a short run and a blown up pass behind the LOS with Geno under pressure — it was 3rd & 6. Smith was sacked on 3rd down — Von Miller getting his first solo sack of the season beating the Raiders right tackle with a ‘long arm’ rush.
Another 3 & out from the Commanders defense.
With no return on the punt, Washington’s offense took over at their own 21-yard line.
After a couple of plays that included a penalty, the Commanders faced 2nd & 22 from their own 9-yard line.
A dropped pass on tight coverage by McLaurin was followed by a short run by McNichols and Tress Way came on the field for his 1st punt of the game following the 3 & out forced by the Las Vegas defense.
The Raiders started their next drive at their own 35-yard line with about 11 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
On 1st down, the Washington defensive line got pressure on Geno again — but he eluded it, scrambled and was able to throw the ball away. Jeanty was hit by two Commanders players behind the line to force 3rd & 12. Under heavy pressure again, Geno Smith dirted the ball; 3 & out again and the Raiders punter was back on the field.
Jaylin Lane broke the return all the way to the Raiders end zone for an apparent touchdown. Penalty flags on the play were against the Vegas coverage team — the rookie’s 90-yard touchdown counted!!!
Aside from one bad kickoff to open the game and one missed field goal, Washington’s special teams have had a very good day.
Following the PAT, the score was 27-10 with 09:35 left in the 3rd quarter.
Washington’s offense has out-gained the Raiders almost 2-to-1 at 261 yards to 137 yards and 11 first downs to 7 first downs. When you take into account the great returns by Deebo and Lane, these stats are more surprising and impressive. Aside from one 2nd quarter TD drive by the Raiders, the Commanders defense has looked dominant and has had Geno Smith under almost constant pressure.
On 1st down Javontae Jean-Baptiste tackles Geno from behind for the team’s 4th sack of the day.
On 3rd & 9 Geno escapes what appeared to be a sure sack to hit Bech for a 1st down. It was a play where it was hard to figure out how Smith escaped the sack.
Two plays later, Bobby Wagner came right up the middle for his 2nd sack of the game (the team’s 5th). Former Redskins Mark Schlereth, who is calling the game on TV, declares, “This is fun!!” and he’s right — if you’re a Commanders fan. This is starting to feel like a rout.
The Raiders punted on 4th & 15. Lane had another good return — this time, not a house call, but a shifty 14-yard return.
Croskey Merritt is back in the game.
On 2nd down, Mariota goes deep — — to Terry McLaurin for a touchdown! The rout is officially on! The crowd, of course, chants “Terry! Terry! Terry! Terry!”
NO!!! On review, the officials call it NOT a touchdown; They mark the ball inside the 1-yard line.
- Bill gets stopped for no gain on 1st down.
- Mariota, on a called QB run, gets stopped at the line of scrimmage again.
On 3rd down, Croskey-Merritt goes 1 yard for another rushing TD.
After the PAT, it’s 34-10 with about 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
Bill has 27 yards and a TD; Rodriguez has 33 yards; McNichols has 63 yards and a TD. As a team, Washington has rushed for 182 yards and 3 TDs. Mariota has thrown for 141 yards.
Lattimore broke up a pass on 1st down, but Jeanty ran for 18 yards on 2nd down; he now has 60 yards on 15 carries.
Two plays later, Geno completes a 12-yard pass to Meyers against Lattimore; the CB goes to the sideline, apparently shaken up on the play.
The Raiders were facing 4th & 1 as the end of the quarter approached. Geno converted it with another QB sneak as the quarter came to an end.
The Commanders go into the final period with a 24-point lead.
Fourth Quarter
Geno went long to Jakoby Meyers on the first play of the quarter, but it was broken up on a good play by Noah Igbinoghene. Jeanty was hit about 5 times on a 1-yard run to bring up 3rd & 9 with the Raiders certainly in 4-down mode.
The TV announcers say that Terry is questionable for the rest of the game with a quad injury.
Geno converts the 1st down with a good pass for 12 yards to Tucker, but the clock keeps ticking. He follows with another completion to TE Bowers in the middle of the field at the 11-yard line as the clock hits 13 minutes.
On the next play, Trey Tucker walks into the end zone on a pass reception on the left side of the field.
The two point attempt on a handoff to Jeanty is no good. The score is 34-16 with just under 13 minutes remaining. With an 18-point lead, if Washington’s offense can simply continue doing what they’ve done most of the game and avoid turning the ball over, the clock should do the rest for them.
Luke McCaffery brought the kickoff back to the 29 yard line where Mariota and his offense went back to work.
Kliff Kingsbury calls a run followed by a swing pass to McCaffery and the clock keeps ticking as the team faces 3rd & 2, which Mariota neatly converts with a mid-field pass completion to Chris Moore to move the chains and keep the clock ticking.
CRod runs for 1 yard; Mariota hit McCaffery again on a short pass in the middle of the field and it was 3rd & 3 on the Raiders side of the field with about 10 minutes left.
McNichols came back into the game and ripped of a pair of runs for 15 yards to put the burgundy & gold over 200 rushing yards for the game with the ball at the Vegas 29-yard line with a running clock.
Three plays, with the ball at the 39 yard line on 4th & 20 following an intentional grounding penalty against Mariota when Jaylin Lane stopped on his route, Dan Quinn played the field position game by sending out Tress Way.
Following the punt, the Raiders offense gets the ball at their own 7-yard line with 06:48 on the clock, trailing by 18 points. The outcome feels inevitable.
Geno completed several passes against soft coverage as the clock kept ticking.
Jeremy Reaves made a brutal tackle on the running back on 3rd & 1 near midfield; on 4th & 1, Frankie Luvu was credited with the tackle that forced the turnover on downs.
The Commanders took over with under 5 minutes on the clock. Pete Carroll started burning his time outs.
Mariota took a sack by Maxx Crosby on a viscious pass rush on 2nd down to force 3rd & 19 with about 4 1/2 minutes remaining.
The 3rd down play was stuffed. Pete Carroll burned his last time out and Tress Way came out to punt again.
The Raiders offense got the ball at their own 16-yard line with 04:20 on the clock.
Since the Croskey-Merritt TD to end the 3rd quarter, Washington has played conservative offense and soft defense. Now it costs them as Geno throws a 61-yard TD pass to Trey Tucker for his 3rd touchdown of the game.
Brock Bowers catches a pass to convert the 2-point attempt to make the score 34-24 with 03:42 left on the clock. All of a sudden, it looks like it could be a ball game if Vegas can get the ball back for its offense.
On the onside kick, Deebo Samuel handles the ball to keep the ball in Washington’s control, 1st & 10 at the Raiders 46-yard line.
On 3rd & 6 at the LV 42-yard line, Mariota stands in the pocket and floats a pass to Luke McCaffery, who runs untouched from the 28-yard line to the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown pass — the first TD of Luke’s career and the crowd responds with chants of “Luuuke!”. The Commanders have hung 40 on the Raiders.
Following the PAT the score is 41-24.
Washington kicked off to bring the game to the 2-minute warning.
Pete Carroll kept the ball on the ground, content to run out the clock and fly back home.
Full Game Stats
Statistics via ESPN
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