5 biggest positives for Commanders in Week 1 win over Jaguars

The Washington Commanders earned their first win of the season on Sunday with a determined and thrilling comeback battle.  There are many positives to talk about and examine, but injury concerns are a focus as well.

Once again, it’s that time of the year when we take a look back at the previous game and offer a prediction for the next game.  On Sunday, the Burgundy and Gold presented the fans with plenty of excitement and also left some room for concern.

The Commanders sprinted to an early lead thanks to a pair of touchdowns on their first two drives, but we’ve seen this script before.  Washington was suddenly eight points to the negative, but the boys from Ashburn flipped that script and powered themselves to an awe-inspiring victory late in the game.

Welcome to our first post-game analysis of the 2022 season and we have some gems for you today.  We have five positives to talk about, four game balls to award, and provide you with a prediction for Sunday’s game at Detroit.  Let’s jump right into our first 2022 in-season analysis

5 biggest positives for the Commanders in Week 1

1. The offense headlines our first positive of the week.  The attack was well balanced and while there was a dry spell in the second and third quarters, this unit performed when it mattered the most.  No less than eight offensive weapons had catches and/or rushes on Sunday and this well-balanced attack was a major factor in the win over Jacksonville.

2. On the other side of the ball, the defense was also solid when it mattered the most and it is the second positive.  The Jaguars also mixed in a little bit of ineptitude, but good luck will never be rejected by any team.  Washington had a bend, but don’t break mentality on defense and had several key plays when needed – including a timely interception late in the game to seal the victory.

3. A third positive from Sunday came from a different and overlooked angle – the fans.  An announced crowd of more than 58,000 turned FedEx Field into a sea of Burgundy and Gold.  The enthusiasm was contagious and undeniable.  Also, a large contingent of fans from England made the trip a memorable experience for everyone.  Friends, have a safe trip home!

4. The fourth positive from this team is the resiliency that it displayed in the face of challenging circumstances.  Missing from the game were Cole Turner, Chase Young, Kamren Curl, and Brian Robinson.  In the first half, defensive tackle Phil Mathis left the game with an injury and defensive end Jonathan Allen was injured late in the fourth quarter.  He didn’t return.  The team battled through it all and persevered.

5.  The fifth positive for Washington actually originated well before the game.  During the offseason of 2022, the front office for the Washington Commanders was fully committed to the new quarterback and this entire team.  Washington is now a team in every sense of the word and it was fully encapsulated in a tweet on Sunday from team president Jason Wright.

Grades for Commanders vs. Jacksonville

• Quarterbacks – Grade: B+
• Running Backs – Grade: A-
• Tight Ends – Grade: B+
• Wide Receivers – Grade: A-
• Offensive Line – Grade: B+
• Defensive Line – Grade: B+
• Linebackers – C+
• Cornerbacks – Grade: B
• Safeties – Grade: B+
• Special Teams – Grade: B
• Coaches – Grade: A

Awarding four game balls to deserving Commanders

• Carson Wentz – Before Monday night’s game, Wentz had the fourth-highest passing yards for the week as per Next Gen Stats.  It’s nice to have such a big, strong-armed quarterback as the starter.
• Darrick Forrest – He is without question the team MVP in Sunday’s game.  A key hit (forced fumble).  Timely tackles.  Passes were well defended (including a pair in the end zone).  And the interception that sealed the win with one minute to go.
• Jahan Dotson – The prized rookie had two touchdowns and made an early statement for NFL offensive rookie of the year.
• Curtis Samuel – He provided the fireworks in the first half and was a major contributor throughout the game.
• Honorable Mention – Terry McLaurin, the defensive line, Antonio Gibson, Joey Slye, and Logan Thomas.

Commanders next game prediction, final thoughts

Washington will travel to Detroit on Sunday to face the Lions.  The Jaguars game provides a spark and the momentum train is gaining steam.  We’ll go with our prediction from last week: Commanders 28 Lions 27

Can the Burgundy and Gold get on an early-season roll?  Don’t bet against it.

Late word has come that Phil Mathis will miss this season with a knee injury.  He is expected to be fully healthy for next season.  Look for the Commanders to sign two defensive tackles with one possibly going to the practice squad.

We’ll return next week and all season for analysis and game predictions.  See you as we go along.