Instant reactions to the Commanders preseason loss to the Chiefs

The Washington Commanders fell to the Kansas City Chiefs, 24-14, inside Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday afternoon. While the final score of preseason games are largely meaningless, individual performances contain some substance.

Unfortunately for the Commanders, the Chiefs continually looked a tier above the Commanders, as Patrick Mahomes orchestrated long drives, while the Commanders starting offense failed to score any points despite stringing together first downs.

It wasn’t all negative though, as the Commanders showed some promise, across the game. We will dive into that deeper here.

Instant reactions to the Commanders preseason loss to the Chiefs

The Offense

Positives

• The trio of starting wide receivers for Washington still remain a potential dynamic problem for defenses. Jahan Dotson showed the ability to create for himself after the catch, Terry McLaurin showed why he deserved the contract extension, and Curtis Samuel still flashes an ability to be a playmaker for the Commanders.
• Brian Robinson cemented himself as the player that can be trusted to take on the lionshare of the carries in the regular season. As a back that plays with good vision, power, and feel Robinson’s efficiency should be much better than his predecessor, Antonio Gibson.

• Simply put, it was very impressive how the offensive line for the Commanders looked against the starting defensive front of the Chiefs. Despite being down three starters, the line routinely produced holes in the run game and mostly protected Carson Wentz. John Matsko is one of the best-kept secrets in the entire NFL.
• Cam Sims showcased why he is capable as a pass-catcher for the Commanders. He continued his hallmark ability to make tough catches in traffic. Shortly after taking a hard hit over the middle on a pass from Taylor Heinicke, Sims went up high in the back of the endzone bringing down the ball in traffic for a touchdown on a perfectly placed pass from Heinicke. Sims will be a key contributor for the Commanders this year.
• All three quarterbacks flashed reasons for optimism in their performances. Carson Wentz, at points, was quick and decisive allowing players to create yards after the catch. He was far from perfect but Wentz continues to show why the Commanders traded for him, as he continues to get more comfortable within the offense. Heinicke still shows why he is valuable as a backup, as Sam Howell maintains his stake as intriguing long-term option for the Commanders.
• Armani Rogers hauled in another catch for the Commanders, before pushing up field for a first down. It often gets overlooked that he is brand new to the position, so the fact that he is this advanced already, making plays with the first-team offense, is very encouraging.

Negatives: 

• The sequence to bounce the Commanders out of field goal range was the most noteworthy sequence for the first-team offense. In the middle of a solid sequence of plays, with the Commanders on the Chiefs’ 30, a false start, and an ill-advised sack pushed Washington out of field goal range. Most notably Wentz’s inability to hit Antonio Gibson on the quick check-down stands out as bad habits continuing to stick around when Wentz tried to find the big play before taking the sack. Ultimately it cost the team a chance at three points, a mistake that cannot happen when the games count.
• Heinicke’s arm is still a limiting factor. While Heinicke offers value as a strong-willed veteran, who has expertise in Scott Turner’s offense,  his lack of arm talent is still evident. His deep balls flail in the air, and certain areas of the field are nearly off-limits for him.
• The Commanders’ starting offense consistently would string together first downs against the Chiefs’ first-team defense. However, as they got close to, or broke the 50, the drives consistently stalled out. The Commanders’ offense looked competent but failed to capitalize any for points.
• Dyami Brown didn’t do much with the opportunities he got. He dropped a screen pass, got blown up while attempting to block for a screen pass, and failed to create separation deep. Brown may be on a fast track to being inactive on gamedays, if not worse if things don’t change quickly for the second-year wideout.

The Defense

Positives

• Kendall Fuller was the standout for the defense despite giving up a touchdown, to a much taller Jody Fortson. Fuller had multiple pass breakups, while nearly everyone else in the secondary fell victim to Patrick Mahomes’ pinpoint accuracy, Fuller made Mahomes work a tad harder.

• The Commanders first-team defense was effective at stopping the run. Notably, Jamin Davis had multiple plays where he filled the right gap in helping stop the Chiefs run. That is a positive sign for Davis to trend towards being an every-down player.
• Shaka Toney showed why the Commanders staff still like his potential. In the third quarter, he burst off the line, beating the Chiefs’ left tackle off the snap, as he bent around the edge for the sack.

Negatives 

• Overall, the first-team defense was putrid against the Chiefs. Excuses can be made in regards to playing Mahomes, the questionable pass interference call on William Jackson that kept the Chiefs’ first drive alive, and the sheer wizardry Mahomes showed throughout Saturday’s contest. Yet, the defense has to be better, notably in these areas.
• Third-down defense. After the Commanders were historically bad at getting off the field on third downs in 2021, the trend continuing in the preseason is concerning. At one point, the Chiefs were 6-for-6 on third downs. The Commanders were fairly effective at getting the Cheifs into third-and-longs, yet every single time the Chiefs converted.
• The starting defensive line for the Commanders struggled to generate pressure, and the few times they did they allowed Patrick Mahomes to break contain before he made a play out of the structure. Ron Rivera was very animated in his frustrations with this at halftime, according to sideline reporter Logan Paulsen for the preseason broadcast.
• The Commanders had seven penalties on the day for 75 yards. Many of those came on the defense, in the ways of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for late hits that extended drives.

Special Teams: 

• Tress Way is still the consistent punter you remember him as.
• The kickoff return team remains a concern, with multiple kicks being stopped before the returner passed the 20.