Commanders key numbers: New faces but same result in Week 1 blowout loss

Things were supposed to be different with a new general manager, coaching staff, and a brand new rookie quarterback. It seems like business as usual for the Washington Commanders following a disappointing Week 1 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The team has had over 60 percent turnover on the roster from last season. This demonstrated how bare Ron Rivera and his staff left the cupboard, but the hard work was just starting.

The same issues that plagued this team throughout much of Rivera's career were present once again at Raymond James Stadium. The Commanders could not get a stop on third down to save their lives.

Another mobile-ish quarterback went off on the defense with Baker Mayfield looking Tom Brady-esque. He completed 80 percent of his passes en route to 289 passing yards and four touchdowns to go along with a near-perfect passer rating.

The offense wasn't much better. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels scrambled constantly while taking multiple hits that knocked off his helmet.

Robert Griffin III's debut ended in a victory that reignited the Washington fanbase 12 years ago. He passed for 320 yards and two touchdowns while adding 42 yards on the ground.

Sunday didn't offer anything close to that for fans who had high hopes for his debut. It is just one game in what hopefully is a long time in Washington for Daniels and new head coach Dan Quinn, but it wasn't the start any of them wanted.

Let's get into the key numbers from the Commanders' disappointing start to the 2024 season.

Key Numbers from the Commanders' Week 1 loss at the Buccaneers

138: The Commanders finished the game with 138 total rushing yards, a feat the 2023 squad only equaled or bested two times all of last season. Daniels' rushing prowess was as advertised, with the quarterback finishing with 88 yards, the fifth-most for a quarterback making their first start, adding two scores for good measure.

111: If Mike Evans played Washington every week, he would greatly expedite his case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In six games against the organization, the prolific wide receiver averages over five receptions, 111 receiving yards, and one touchdown per contest. He torched the Commanders again in this one to the tune of 61 receiving yards and two touchdowns from five catches.

0: After trading a conditional seventh-rounder for Cade York, there was some hope that the Commanders may have found at least a band-aid solution for their kicking woes. Better luck next time. He hit 0 percent of his field goals, missing from 47 and 56 yards, while also giving the Buccaneers good field position by sending a kick-off out of bounds. Looks like the search for a competent kicker continues, just one of the roster woes for Washington.

69.2: Washington's third-down defense has been an interesting conundrum over the past few seasons. In 2019, the team was dead last in the opponent's third-down conversion percentage. Then, in 2020, they were top 10, followed by second-to-last in 2021, first in 2022, and the bottom 10 in 2023.

It doesn't look like the change in coaches has made a substantial difference. The defense allowed Tampa Bay to convert on 69.2 percent of their third downs. - 9-of-13 - including an inexcusable third-and-18. They also got three additional first downs via defensive penalties on Washington.

1.6: Although Daniels mentioned playing error-free football, he didn't show much downfield prowess in his passing. The signal-caller averaged a measly 1.6 completed air yards, easily the lowest among all Week 1 quarterbacks. He did finish with more total yards than Caleb Williams and Bo Nix, the other two rookie starting quarterbacks, but his completed air yards were a far cry from the 8.4 average he had at LSU last year.

Daniels did rely heavily on his running backs as the receivers struggled to create separation. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler led the team in receiving and combined to secure seven receptions for 101 yards.

Despite the season not starting how the new coaching staff wanted, the team has the gift of a match-up against an equally struggling New York Giants squad in Week 2 to get their campaign up and running.

More Commanders news and analysis