Commanders Fall Flat in Season Opener, Rookie QB Daniels Shows Promise
The Washington Commanders kicked off their season with a disappointing 37-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Despite a strong performance from rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team struggled to find their footing, surrendering 24 unanswered points in the second half.
Daniels, making his NFL debut, showed flashes of brilliance, completing 19 of 31 passes for 184 yards and adding 88 yards on the ground. He also scored two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome the team’s defensive struggles.
The Commanders’ defense, which was expected to be a strength this season, was torched by Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns. The unit also struggled to contain Tampa Bay’s rushing attack, allowing 123 yards on the ground.
“We just didn’t play well enough on defense,” said Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. “We had some mental mistakes, some communication breakdowns. We’ve got to get those things fixed.”
Despite the loss, there were some positives for the Commanders. Daniels’ performance was a bright spot, and the team’s running game showed signs of life, with running back Antonio Gibson rushing for 63 yards.
The Commanders also made some roster moves this week, placing quarterback Marcus Mariota on the injured reserve list and signing rookie Sam Hartman from the practice squad. Mariota, who was expected to be the team’s backup quarterback, suffered a knee injury in the preseason finale.
The Commanders will look to bounce back next week when they face the San Francisco 49ers on the road. With Daniels at the helm, the team is hoping to turn things around and make a push for the playoffs.
“We’ve got to learn from our mistakes and move on,” said Daniels. “We’ve got a tough game next week, but I’m confident in our team. We’ll get it done.”
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