The Washington Commanders only generated nine first downs, losing to the Detroit Lions, 17-13, Saturday in a road preseason game.
The Commanders running game, which was so promising last week against the Dolphins, was absolutely non-existent on Saturday, as the Lions swallowed up the Commanders' 17 rushing attempts for a mere 35 yards, barely two yards a rushing attempt.
Meanwhile on the defensive side, the Commanders permitted the Lions to gain 169 yards on the ground in their 35 rushing plays. Washington surrendered running plays of 11, 13, 14 and 50 yards, Saturday. For instance, in the first half, the Commanders defense couldn't get off of the field, while the offense only achieved 20 offensive snaps. While the Commanders defense forced two
turnovers in first half yes, they also surrendered 128 rushing yards. Five different Lion players averaged five yards a carry in first half.
Washington jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the game's second play when corner Amik Robertson blitzed, sacked Lions QB Joshua Dobbs, who fumbled and Commanders rookie Joshua Josephs recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. On the Lions next possession, Dobbs was terribly late on a pass he forced and Commanders' safety Quan Martin intercepted.
Jayden Daniels and the Washington offense taking over at the 50, produced nothing, however. Daniels dumped a first-down pass incomplete under pressure, and on second down, Daniels was sacked for a 10-yard loss. On third and 20, OC David Blough chose to have Daniels handoff to Kaytron Allen and the Commanders punted. That was it for Daniels; two ugly pass plays and a handoff.
On the sack, both starting tight ends, lost one on one. pic.twitter.com/eBgOE56zXX
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) August 22, 2026
Tied 7-7 at the half, rookie QB Athan Kaliakmanis led a 78-yard drive which featured two nice receptions by both Antonio Williams and Jaden Bradley. Bradley's best was a 30-yard one-handed grab that will no doubt make highlight reels. Drew Stevens' 27 yard field goal provided Washington it's last lead of the game, 10-7.
The Commanders defense did have some bright moments, forcing the two first-half turnovers and producing five quarterback sacks (Robertson, Maurice Hurst (2), Javontae Jean-Baptiste and T.J. Maguranyanga).
Kaliakmanis was the better of the two backup quarterbacks. Sam Hartman completed 9 of 11 for 67 yards with mostly quick, short passes. At one point Hartman was 6-6 but for only 32 passing yards. Kaliakmanis finished 11 of 14 for 162 passing yards and was not sacked.
The Commanders have one final preseason game next week against the Ravens in Baltimore Friday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders fall to Lions, 17-13, in preseason game
