Main storylines from the Commanders’ preseason matchup vs the Bengals, including two players absent and a RB room emerging
The news continues to heat up this week for the Commanders.
The Washington Commanders lost it’s second preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals 31-17 on Monday night, but there are plenty of positive storylines to take away from it.
This was the first home game of the season for the Commanders, and news has been heating up around the team regarding contract situations, all while the team gets ready for the season and sorts out the roster. We also finally got a look at Jayden Daniels and a lot of other starters for the first time.
There will be no shortage of content to talk about with this team moving forward this week, thanks to recent news and observations from the game.
McLaurin and Robinson Jr. were absent
The first major news we received from the stadium was that two big names on the Commanders’ offense weren’t even present at the stadium. All-Pro WR Terry McLaurin and RB Brian Robinson Jr. were both away from the team for different reasons on Monday night.
Robinson Jr. has been reportedly shopped around the league as the Commanders look to trade the former third-round pick before the season. It was announced earlier, before the game on Monday, that this was a mutual decision, and exactly what I expected to happen.
McLaurin, however, was a surprise absence as he just came off the PUP list on Saturday, and is officially available to practice with the team when he completes his ramp-up period the team holds for all players coming back from an injury.
Jayden Daniels still loves to score touchdowns
There’s a real shot for Jayden Daniels to chase an MVP this season, and the offense looked on point on the first drive. Daniels and the offense drove down the field for a 4-play and 74-yard touchdown drive in just under two minutes. Daniels capped it off with a 14-yard touchdown run up the middle while fans held their breath.
There’s a new RB duo in town
Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Bill Croskey-Merritt wasted no time showing that they can be the running duo that the Commanders need with Robinson Jr. likely gone. Rodriguez Jr. took his first run for 40 yards up the middle for a massive gain, which set up a Jayden Daniels touchdown run two plays later.
Croskey-Merritt came in and did the same thing and took his second run 27 yards to the house on a counter that went to the right. The Commanders had elite blocking with TE John Bates and some backup offensive linemen. The run game looks ready to be explosive this season.
Rodriguez Jr finished with 6 carries for 62 yards, and Croskey-Merritt finished with 11 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown after getting more carries later in the game behind backups for more in-game reps.
John Bates is one of the best in the league
The Commanders are getting their money’s worth after paying TE John Bates a 3-year, $21 million contract extension back in March. Bates is easily one of the best blocking tight ends in the entire league, and he was the lead blocker on the three massive runs. He opened up the hole perfectly on a wham block on the Rodriguez Jr. run, sealed off two defenders at the same time on Croskey-Merritt’s touchdown, and opened up the lane on the Deebo Samuel end-around play for 19 yards.
The Commanders’ pass rush looks improved
Joe Burrow was under pressure a ton when he was in the game, and got sacked for a 17-yard loss as well. The numbers might now show it all, but the film showed that Dorance Armstrong, Deatrich Wise, Jacob Martin, and Clelin Ferrell had their ears pinned back. I’m excited to see what the full unit looks like with some veterans like Von Miller resting tonight.
Jaylin Lane is starting to emerge on offense
The Commanders are desperate for someone in the wide receiver room to step up with McLaurin and Noah Brown out, and rookie Jaylin Lane is starting to find his groove on the offense. We finally got to see Lane get some real time on the field and not just on punt returns, and he flashed his route running and his hands on a couple of plays.
He made a grab where he fully extended while getting tugged from behind, which stood out the most. He continues to get better, and it’s needed for the offense. Lane finished as the leading receiver with 3 catches for 42 yards.
Quick Hits
- DEEEEBO! Samuel had a vintage 19-yard end-around on his first touch.
- Matt Gay didn’t miss a kick. Made a 27-yard FG and made both extra points.
- The passing game with Josh Johnson and Sam Hartman still looks awful. I’m not sure how we can analyze the backup wide receivers honestly.
- Quan Martin had two massive tackles. One was in space, and the other was a touchdown-saving tackle at the one. Even on the touchdown run by Chase Brown, he met him at the goal line like a hammer. He’s about to be a league-wide name this season.
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