The Washington Commanders dropped their season opener 24-22 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. It was a frustrating day for the Commanders: they had chances but at times couldn’t seem to get out of their own way.
The defense looked great early. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t match them. Once the offense finally got going, the defense allowed a couple of backbreaking third-down conversions, including one on third-and-18. At that point in the game, Washington trailed by only one point and had just scored. That conversion, followed by another conversion that went for a 43-yard touchdown, proved to be the difference in the game.
Still, the Commanders had a chance. There was a blocked extra point. When Washington
scored to make it 17-15, a penalty on Stefon Diggs for jumping on the goalposts prevented the Commanders from going for the two-point conversion. Washington had another chance to tie it late, but offensive coordinator David Blough called a shovel pass to John Bates on the final two-point attempt. It didn’t work, preserving Philadelphia’s win.
During and after the game, Washington fans were frustrated. At cornerback Mike Sainristil. At the offensive line. At Daniels. At Blough.
Let’s take a look at some of the top reactions from the media and fans.
Multiple high level throws on that scoring drive by JD5.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) September 13, 2026
Jayden Daniels looks terrible today… everything looks hard out there. https://t.co/prK8HTgtlw
— Zac (@DCzWall) September 13, 2026
FREE JAYDEN DANIELS.
— Jack Lawhorne (@jacklawhorne) September 13, 2026
2nd & 8 he puts it right on Diggs he drops it
3rd & 6 multiple free rushers and his receiver falls down
4th down his kicker misses it
Can't blame the quarterback there.
This defense can ball! They are fast and violent. They will keep us in a lot of games.
— Tiller56 (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) September 14, 2026
The offense looks rusty, but I believe they will round into form (hopefully not too late).
C and LG are what we (all of us outside of Peters and Quinn) all thought they were…
Mikey needs…
Cooper DeJean look #white today.
— Davon Evans 🌰🦅 (@GoodFellah91) September 13, 2026
Great line by Tom Brady in critiquing Blough’s decision to run the 2-point play as a shovel pass to John Bates.
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) September 13, 2026
“In big time moments, you’ve got to think about players, not plays.”
I love what I saw from Oweh, Styles, Cross, Owens, and Douglas today.
— Damien Bartonek (@tvBartonek) September 13, 2026
Daronte can cook.
Players gotta play — the big plays hurt them. Clean them up and you’ve got a reallllly good unit.
If there's any mysterious super secret David Blough offense that we weren't allowed to see in the preseason, let's do that pretty soon.
— Danny Rouhier (@funnydanny) September 13, 2026
David Blough that was the worst call anyone could’ve ever conceived of in that situation, given Bates was the recipient. Growing pains, but just completely took the ball out of all of your best players’ hands
— Full Command (@FullCommandShow) September 13, 2026
This is absolutely PATHETIC by Allegretti😡
— Tiller56 (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) September 13, 2026
Thankfully a penalty against Philly saved the play pic.twitter.com/01eLF6ma0l
That play was slow to develop - poorly designed call against a defense that is quick to the ball. Allegretti could've been better there, but even he locks down the DL there, the play still had no chance. https://t.co/AO78Uqhqgo
— Ken Johannesen (@BurgundyBurner) September 13, 2026
I don't care if David Blough is a first time playcaller. You don't call that play. Jayden Daniels is your unicorn. Let HIM make a play.
— Disco (@discoque92) September 13, 2026
1. Great defense
— Disco (@discoque92) September 13, 2026
2. New OC
3. Don't play in the preseason https://t.co/xoDualu7HR
Allegretti whiffs on the block pic.twitter.com/ejLCxhQKnb
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) September 13, 2026
Mikey is not a good football player
— Cornelius Kidwell (@ExcuseTheHebrew) September 13, 2026
This is ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC by Mike Sainristil!!!
— Tiller56 (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) September 13, 2026
He’s in man coverage! What the HELL is he doing😡 pic.twitter.com/76vmK3jJbD
Mike sainristil can’t be serious lmaoo this is an interception if he isn’t drunk pic.twitter.com/9OSRfagImY
— John (@iam_johnw) September 13, 2026
Defense has been great on like 95% of snaps.
— George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) September 13, 2026
But they can't keep giving up explosive plays.
Mistakes by Chanel, Sainristil, and Martin have led to points.
That's a bad call by Blough on the 2-point attempt. Just a terrible call. #RaiseHail
— Commanders Wire (@Washington_Wire) September 13, 2026
I’d rather have emmanuel Forbes or Ben st juste over Sainristil. Dude is hot ass
— brady (@burgermanders) September 13, 2026
The Mike Sainristil experiment should be complete. He is not good. Go ahead and block us, Mikey. Truth hurts. #RaiseHail
— Commanders Wire (@Washington_Wire) September 13, 2026
Sonny Styles, folks. pic.twitter.com/A2NSnNMjpH
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@billrabinowitz) September 13, 2026
OMG SONNY STYLES KILLED SAQUON
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 13, 2026
💀💀 pic.twitter.com/XHV9qhufEl
The splash plays that Sonny Styles has made, is why you take a LB 7
— Lynnell Willingham (@Nell_BTP) September 13, 2026
He’s more than that
Nick Cross, Oweh and Sonny Styles were the most impressive players on the defense today. Defense as a whole played well minus 4 plays. The offense is a work in progress. They have the weapons, but Bill's ball security and Allegretti are glaring question marks.
— His Imperial Majesty (@Treg2Cole) September 14, 2026
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Social media reacts to Commanders' Week 1 loss to Eagles
