For the first time since 2011, the Washington Commanders have a 2-0 record. Washington picked up its second win by rallying from an 18-point deficit to beat the Denver Broncos on the road.
The win took a collective effort from the team after a dismal start by the offensive line, its long snapper, and stale play-calling on defense. Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy shined with his adjustments throughout the game and got the offense in sync to outscore the Broncos 32-12 after Washington fell behind 21-3 in the second quarter.
If not for a Russell Wilson miracle Hail Mary that Commanders rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes inexplicably batted back in the air, the score wouldn’t have been as close as 35-33.
However, the Commanders got away with an apparent defensive pass interference on what would have been the game-tying two-conversion. Thankfully, the referees didn’t throw the flag on cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. And Washington’s defense can thank Wilson for not seeing Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy crossing to the weak side open.
Biggest Winner: Chase Young
Chase Young was the best defensive player on the field Sunday for the Commanders. The young defensive end has caught a lot of heat from fans after missing 23 games over the past three seasons, including Week 1, as he sat out with a stinger after being cleared by doctors.
Young made his season debut against the Broncos. He wreaked havoc throughout the game. Initially, he was supposed to be on a snap count. However, he played 47 of the Commanders’ 66 defensive snaps. And he played well, collecting 1.5 sacks, three pressures, and a hurry.
Young was a force even on plays that didn’t show on the stats sheet. His pressure on Wilson off the edge on a play-action goal line play sent Wilson right into the grasp of fellow defensive end Montez Sweat. Later on the same drive, Young bull-rushed Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz, which led to Young and Sweat sacking Wilson on third-and-goal.
It’s one game, but Young exceeded expectations, making him the biggest winner for the Commanders.
Biggest Loser: Cody Barton
The Commanders have a Mike linebacker problem, and it’s Cody Barton. Firstly, Barton does a great job with the pre-snap calls. He gets the defense in position. Yet, once the ball snapped, Barton didn’t hold his end of the bargain against the Broncos.
Barton was often late dissecting his reads. On the Broncos’ first offensive drive, he got pushed around or was late filling gaps as Denver gashed the Washington defense for 53 yards on the ground to score a touchdown.
Barton also got picked on in pass coverage. The Broncos exploited him with the same crossing concept three times, including on a second-quarter touchdown. Wilson identified Barton matched up in the slot with a single responsibility. Rookie wide receiver Brandon Johnson blew past Barton, crossing for the catch and score. Johnson had too much speed for Barton.
Surprisingly, Barton played all 66 of Washington’s defensive snaps. He had just one positive play that stood out. He may be the best signal caller for the team, but if he continues to struggle, head coach Ron Rivera may have to look at the team’s other options at MLB.
Winner: Sam Howell
Sam Howell made his first NFL road start — just his third overall start. Yet, he was the best quarterback on the field, outplaying the Super Bowl-winning Russell Wilson.
Howell improved his footwork and progression compared to Week 1. And the results showed. He completed 27-of-39 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. That included him going 8-of-9 in the second half with a beautiful dart past three Broncos defenders to Terry McLaurin for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Ball placement was also another positive for Howell. He got the ball on his receivers. Howell’s maturation on Sunday lifted the offense. Even when Washington trailed 21-3, Howell stayed steady with his mechanics. Ultimately with Bieniemy’s play-calling, Howell broke through the Broncos’ defense.
Howell does need to improve throwing with anticipation, but overall, his performance exceeded expectations for a young QB making his first road start.
Loser: Camaron Cheeseman
Commanders long snapper Camaron Cheeseman entered the season with eyes on his low snaps, particularly on field goals and extra points. Rivera put an onus on Cheeseman but held on to the fact he hadn’t cost Washington a field goal. That is until Sunday.
Cheeseman’s low snap on Washington’s opening drive led to kicker Joey Slye pushing his kick wide right. The field goal was no good. While Cheeseman improved his snaps as the game continued, the Commanders were already looking for a contingency plan.
The Commanders worked out multiple long snappers on Tuesday, including Tucker Addington. But the team has decided to stay with Cheeseman for now. He has to avoid another hiccup or he could be on the chopping block.
Winner: Brian Robinson Jr.
Last week, pundits thought that Bieniemy and Commanders had a running back problem. Antonio Gibson’s fumble woes showed in Week 1, and Brian Robinson had no runs to write home about.
Week 2 was drastically different for the Commanders running back room. Robinson rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 42 yards receiving. Robinson used patience to set up blocks.
On his best run, Robinson went untouched for about eight yards after he allowed Nick Gates and Saadiq Charles to seal the gap. Then Robinson broke two on his way for a 27-yard pickup. He later scored the go-ahead touchdown on the same drive.
Robinson also showed some quickness and burst going through gaps. Sunday against the Broncos, Robinson showed why he is the RB1.
Loser: Commanders’ offensive tackles
Howell got sacked four times by the Broncos’ defense, plus two additional would-be sacks negated by a penalty. Both of Washington’s offensive tackles struggled in pass protection.
Left tackle Charles Leno allowed pressure on third down on each of Washington’s first two offensive possessions, resulting in Howell getting sacked. Howell did hold the ball a tick too long on both sacks, but it doesn’t erase the initial pressure Leno gave up.
Meanwhile, right tackle Andrew Wylie also had moments of getting beat. Wylie got back for sacks three times. However, two got negated by defensive penalties.
In the second quarter, Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto beat Wylie with a speed rush, but Bonitto grabbed Howell’s facemask while bringing him down, drawing the flag. In the fourth quarter, Broncos defensive end Brad Allen pushed through a chip from Rickey Stromberg and blew past Wylie to sack Howell. But the sack was negated by a defensive holding penalty on Broncos cornerback Fabian Moreau.
The one sack that will go on Wylie’s record almost turned disastrous. In the third quarter, Jonathan Cooper got Wylie with a swim move to the outside and knocked the ball loose from Howell. Fortunately, Wylie saw the ball trailing and recovered. The 16-yard loss led to a missed 59-yard field goal.
Wylie and Leno have to get better if they want to keep their quarterback clean.
Winner: Daron Payne
Daron Payne is earning his new four-year, $90 million contract. The Commanders defensive tackle took over Washington’s first defensive drive of the third quarter. Fresh out of halftime, trailing 21-11, Payne got a sack, a stop for loss, and broke up a pass from Wilson on consecutive plays.
Payne’s effort swung the momentum on Washington’s side. Denver was looking to restart its offensive flow, and Big No. 94 single-handedly stopped the Broncos’ progress. He finished the game with five tackles, three for losses, one sack, and three quarterback hits.
Loser: Emmanuel Forbes
Commanders rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes recorded his first career interception Sunday. Yet, his day was all glitz and glamor. He allowed multiple catches in coverage.
Forbes got beat by Broncos rookie wideout Marvin Mims Jr. on a deep fade for a 53-yard reception. Mims countered Forbes’ inside leverage by going outside. Already trailing, Forbes lost Mims more trying to track the football in the air.
Forbes also struggled against veteran receiver Courtland Sutton, who caught multiple passes one-on-one on the Mississippi State product.
The biggest blown play for Forbes came on the Broncos’ miracle Hail Mary. He outjumped Sutton, but instead of batting the ball down, Forbes popped the ball in the air, allowing the ball to bobble back to the hands of Johnson.
It was a rough day for Forbes. Only Barton’s performance was more dreadful for the Commanders’ defense.
Winner: Commanders coaching staff
Forget the 2-0 start. There’s a different vibe about the Commanders, thanks to the coaching staff. The addition of Bieniemy as offensive coordinator and the assistant head coach has made a positive transition throughout the first two weeks.
Bieniemy and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio have made adjustments in each of Washington’s victories. There’s a different credibility about the staff now. Bieniemy used his running backs to aid the passing game with timely called screens.
For the second straight week, Del Rio adjusted the defensive backfield’s coverage, allowing the defensive line to take control of the games.
The Commanders’ schedule gets tougher from here on out, but there’s confidence within the team that they can compete. That starts with Bieniemy and Del Rio’s play-calling, and Rivera’s poise. Rivera finally looks like a general on the sidelines, trusting both coordinators.
