The Washington Commanders’ preseason opener against the New England Patriots did not go as planned, with the team struggling in all three facets of the game. Despite playing without starters on both sides of the ball, the sloppy play will still keep Dan Quinn up late at night.
However, there were some positive signs from young players, who rose to the occasion and showed promise. Jer’Zhan Newton had a standout performance, making three tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in his limited playing time. Jeremy Reaves also impressed with his speed and agility on defense, while Bill Croskey-Merritt showcased his burst and elusiveness as a running back.
On the receiving end, Ja’Corey Brooks led the way with 59 yards, showing good separation at the top of his routes and movement skills. In contrast, quarterback Sam Hartman struggled, failing to impress with his accuracy and zip on his passes. His chances of sticking on this roster remain low.
Other notable performances came from defensive back Noah Igbinoghene, who played well in coverage and run support, and kicker Matt Gay, who continued to struggle with consistency. The special teams unit was also poor, something that will need to be worked on during the next few weeks.
While there were some positive signs, the overall performance of the team was disappointing, especially given the lack of starters playing. As the season progresses, it’s essential for these young players to build upon their promising performances and contribute to the team’s success.
Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/studs-and-duds/368480/commanders-vs-patriots-preseason-game-one-studs-and-duds