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TAMPA, FL — The Washington Commanders kicked off the 2024 season with a tough 37-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels made his NFL debut and showed flashes of his dual-threat talent, but Washington struggled to contain a sharp Baker Mayfield who threw for four touchdowns to lead the Bucs.
Daniels Shows Promise
Despite the loss, Jayden Daniels demonstrated the athleticism and poise that made him the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. The former Heisman winner from LSU finished 17-for-24 for 184 yards and added 88 rushing yards, showcasing his ability to extend plays with his legs. Daniels also scored two rushing touchdowns, but the rookie’s inexperience showed at times, particularly in the passing game where big plays were hard to come by.
“I like what I saw from him in spurts, but we have to finish drives,” head coach Dan Quinn said. “Jayden’s a competitor, and he’s going to learn from this.”
Baker Mayfield Comes up Big
Washington’s defense, bolstered by the additions of Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, struggled to slow down Mayfield and the Buccaneers’ passing attack. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne applied pressure at times, but Mayfield, who threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns, consistently found his targets, including two scores to Mike Evans. Tampa Bay’s offensive line largely neutralized Washington’s pass rush and the secondary had a tough time keeping pace with the Bucs' wideouts.
“We didn’t generate enough consistent pressure, and that put our secondary in a tough spot,” Quinn added. “We’ve got work to do.”
Offensive Bright Spots for Washington
Washington’s run game provided some highlights with Brian Robinson Jr. scoring a 7-yard touchdown in the second quarter and Austin Ekeler contributing in both the run and pass game. The duo combined for over 120 yards from scrimmage, giving Daniels some much-needed support. However, the offensive line struggled to keep Daniels clean as Tampa Bay's defense sacked the rookie twice, preventing the Commanders from gaining momentum in critical moments.
Robinson’s touchdown came after a key penalty by Tampa’s Antoine Winfield Jr., who was flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Daniels after a 12-yard scramble. The hit briefly knocked Daniels’ helmet off but didn’t shake the young QB.
“We had moments, but we’ve got to string together better drives and finish with more points,” Daniels said after the game. “There’s a lot we can clean up, and we’ll get better.”
Other Takeaways
Commanders Defense Needs to Tighten Up: The defense, which added new pieces in the offseason, will need to find its identity quickly. Mayfield and Tampa’s passing game exposed some holes, particularly in the secondary.
The Kicker: Gotta get this figured out. Washington will be in games that will require 40 and 50-yard FGs to keep them in those games. Out with Cade York, in with Austin Seibert.
Key Stats
Jayden Daniels: 17/24, 184 passing yards, 88 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs
Brian Robinson Jr.: 7-yard rushing TD
Austin Ekeler: 76 total yards
Jonathan Allen: 1 sack
What’s Next?
The Commanders return to FedExField next week for their home opener against NFC East rival New York Giants. The Giants fell to the Minnesota Vikings, 28-6, in their 2024 season opener at MetLife Stadium. Sam Darnold led the Vikings with a stellar performance, completing 19-of-24 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants' Daniel Jones struggled, finishing 22-of-42 for 186 yards and two interceptions, including a pick-six by Andrew Van Ginkel. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was a bright spot for the Giants with five catches for 66 yards. New York's revamped offensive line and defense failed to stop Minnesota's balanced attack.
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