Optimism was through the roof for the Washington Commanders heading into the 2024 season. Optimism enveloped the fanbase following wholesale changes across the franchise under their exciting new regime. Looking at their opening weekend loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to begin the campaign, there is a lot of hard work ahead.
The Commanders were never really in the game after going down 13-0 early. Their defense couldn't cope with anything the Buccaneers threw at them and the offense looked disjointed on occasion. Not entirely unexpected considering the personnel alterations throughout the offseason, but it was a major reality check nonetheless.
This was not the start Dan Quinn envisaged. His squad lacked execution in almost all phases and was second-best throughout. Adjustments need to arrive quickly before Washington starts its home slate against the division rival New York Giants at Northwest Stadium in Week 2.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are three winners and four losers from the Commanders' loss to the Buccaneers in Week 1 at Raymond James Stadium.
Winners and losers from the Commanders loss at the Buccaneers
Loser No. 1
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. - Commanders CB
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was bullish about his chances of bouncing back following a disastrous rookie campaign. General manager Adam Peters praised the cornerback for his development throughout the offseason. Fans were taking a more cautious approach, eager to see what the former first-round pick would do in a competitive environment before drawing their conclusions.
Things did not go well for Forbes once again. He was sluggish in coverage to start the game and looked outmatched physically despite adding some muscle mass throughout the offseason. The Washington Commanders saw enough after the Mississippi State product was called for two penalties on the same play, taking him out of the firing line in favor of Noah Igbinoghene.
Forbes came back in during the second half, but his performance remained subpar and he was benched again. Reports of going to the X-ray room surfaced after the clash, so whether his torrid production was injury-related remains to be seen.
This was another catastrophe for Forbes. His hopes were hanging by a thread even before this game. A huge effort is needed to cement his future status in Washington.
Winner No. 1
Brandon Coleman - Commanders OT
Brandon Coleman got a full week of practice in after missing some time over the summer with a shoulder complication. Head coach Dan Quinn stated his third-round rookie was raring to go, but the Washington Commanders still erred on the side of caution in Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Veteran Cornelius Lucas started at left tackle and was inconsistent at best. Coleman also got some work with the first string throughout the contest. It was briefer than many anticipated, especially considering there was a lot to like about his production when in the lineup.
The former TCU star looked assured in pass protection, mirroring oncoming pass-rushers well and getting some push in the run game for good measure. This was a big confidence boost for the edge presence. With another full week of practice this week, expect Coleman to get the lion's share of work in Week 2 against the New York Giants.
There were very few positives to take from this one. Coleman's flashes during limited involvement were one of them.
Loser No. 2
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
Mike Sainristil left an impressive impact over the summer. The Commanders were thrilled with the rookie cornerback's progress and immediately placed him into a starting role. It's very early days for the second-round pick, but this was a baptism of fire in no uncertain terms.
Sainristil found life extremely difficult against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' prolific wide receivers. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin had their way with Washington's secondary en route to 144 receiving yards and three touchdowns from 13 receptions between them. The former Michigan standout wasn't the only one at fault, but his production wasn't anywhere close to the required standard.
This could end up being a good thing for Sainristil. Every young cornerback gets their welcome to the NFL moment. If the first-year pro was under any illusions about the size of his upcoming challenges at the game's pinnacle, this was a rude awakening right out of the gate.
A big response is needed from Sainristil and the entire defense overall. Joe Whitt Jr. is going to lay into them this week. How they bounce back is critical to Washington's hopes of getting their home slate off to a strong start.
Winner No. 2
Brian Robinson Jr. - Commanders RB
The Washington Commanders are expecting big things from their running back partnership this season. We got the first glimpse of this dynamic in a competitive regular-season setting in Week 1, which saw Brian Robinson Jr. assume the bulk of the team's workload at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Robinson ended the day with a modest 40 rushing yards and one touchdown from 12 carries. However, the former Alabama star's continued progress in the passing game was a rare positive from an otherwise underwhelming afternoon's work from the Commanders.
The 2022 third-round selection brought in three of four targets for 49 receiving yards. Couple this with Austin Ekeler's 52 yards after bringing in all four of his receptions, and the running back duo achieved three figures between them. That was arguably the biggest encouraging offensive element aside from Jayden Daniels' rushing ability.
Getting into an early deficit meant the run game became a relative afterthought once again with Washington chasing the contest. Robinson looked the part, so getting him more involved as part of a balanced attack under Kliff Kingsbury is crucial.
Loser No. 3
Commanders DTs
If the Commanders want to stand any chance of making strides this season, they need their defensive tackle tandem firing on all cylinders. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are a highly-priced pairing who both underachieved last time around. This has to change if Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense wants to make their presence felt.
It wasn't the best start for Allen and Payne in Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They were lackluster against the run and failed to finish off plays effectively when pressure was generated. That might sound a little harsh, but this duo is held to a much higher standard than almost anybody.
This was incredibly frustrating. Baker Mayfield is a slippery customer who navigated the pocket exceptionally well throughout. However, Allen and Payne have the talent to be wrapping him up with more conviction.
Allen and Payne will know their performance levels weren't good enough upon further examination of the game film. There's a chance to put this right immediately when they welcome the New York Giants and under-fire quarterback Daniel Jones to Northwest Stadium in Week 2.
Winner No. 3
Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB
All eyes were on Jayden Daniels during his regular-season debut at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie quarterback came into the Washington Commanders with a big reputation and lofty expectations on his shoulders. It was far from perfect, but there were more positives than negatives to take from his production.
Daniels missed some throws, but he went through his progressions quickly and seemed in command pre-snap. The Heisman Trophy winner showcased his phenomenal rushing ability to the tune of 88 yards and two scores. Getting in an early hole didn't assist - something the signal-caller and the Commanders need to avoid moving forward.
This was always going to be a rollercoaster campaign from Daniels. This was also his opening taste of live-fire in a competitive environment in the pros. He'll gain a tremendous amount from the experience en route to potentially better fortunes in the coming months.
The former LSU phenom wasn't the Commanders' biggest problem by any stretch of the imagination. There were separation issues from the wide receivers and the play-calling was conservative at best. Daniels made the best out of a bad situation, which is all anyone could ask for in these circumstances.
Loser No. 4
Cade York - Commanders K
It's been one worrisome kicker after another since the Commanders released Brandon McManus. Ramiz Ahmed and Riley Patterson weren't up to the required standards earlier this summer and were released. General manager Adam Peters sent a conditional seventh-round selection to the Cleveland Browns for Cade York. They might be getting that back in the coming days based on this showing.
York missed two field goals and put one kickoff out of bounds to cap off a miserable afternoon at the office. This was always the worry after the former LSU star didn't kick in a competitive environment during the 2023 season. There were other mitigating factors in play, but this didn't help Washington's cause whatsoever.
The Commanders have to part ways with their seventh-round pick if York plays two regular-season games. Dan Quinn said there will be a lengthy discussion about whether or not further reinforcements are required. Considering how Peters values draft picks, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the front-office leader go in a different direction.
This was not the start York envisaged. Whether he gets a reprieve or not, stands must enhance quickly at the spot.