Week One - 3 and out v Jacksonville

Wow.

If you want an easy life, then look away now. The Washington Commanders in 2022 will not be a safe ride home. In fact, they’ll Hot Rod you down the highway at 200mph and not once allow an ease of emotions.

There was a lot to be excited about, and, just as much to be equally concerned about. But after Week 1, the record is favourable as Carson Wentz landed a peach of a pass to Terry McLaurin for the go-ahead 28-22 win at the FedEx Field.

Let us take a 3 and out on this historic first game for the burgundy & gold.

Jahan Dotson shines on debut

The statistics shout out big game ability. Jahan caught three receptions for forty yards, of which two were touchdown passes, in a first start in the National Football League.

This was a startling debut for the Penn State WR, for whom the Commanders traded down to take at 16 in the 2022 Draft. Experienced QB Carson Wentz seemed entirely comfortable throwing to Dotson, and this bodes well for the 16 games to come.

Not all is well, but the Forrest blooms

You learn more from defeat than victory.

As many a Washington fan would have feared, the backfield and LB core are no great shakes. Both William Jackson III and Kendall Fuller have decent sized contracts, but neither look like Islands in the NFL. In the backfield, it was the exuberance of Darrick Forrest Jr that caught the eye, and his 100% commitment was rewarded with the game winning INT.

What now for Washington?

With interior DL rookie Phidarian Mathis suffering a knee injury on the first play of the team's second defensive drive against the Jaguars, plus a late play knock for Jon Allen, the time might be ripe for Washington to dip into the $4,325,885 cap that is left for 2022 (front load, guarantee later).

The hope is that Mathis looked the more likely to have incurred a longer-term injury than Allen, but the Commanders should not be shy in pursuing some veteran help along the interior DL.

Game Ball and Final Analysis

It would be churlish to not throw the Game Ball to x2 TD rookie WR Jahan Dotson.

The Washington Commanders are far from perfect, but can go into Week 2 with a potential favourable match up vs the Detroit Lions, who gave up 38 vs NFC East foes the Philadelphia Eagles.

We cannot forget that even an experienced QB needs time to settle; the play-offs remain an achievable aim.