The Washington Commanders began their preseason with a road matchup against the New York Jets and lost, 20-17. Here are five takeaways from the matchup.
The Washington Commanders have declared the following players will not dress out for their preseason opener against the New York Jets.
This group of Bill Walsh fellows have attacked the opportunity with fervor and hard work.
The Washington Commanders will kick off their 2024 preseason schedule on Saturday by taking on the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Here are three things to watch during the matchup.
Training camp is technically over for the Washington Commanders, but they're still looking for other measuring sticks to see the results of their work and where they need to improve.
As Quinn and his staff continue to search for the best 53 players before Week 1, they view it as more of a first step than a final decision.
The drought was the very worst … but football season is (un)officially back with the 2024 NFL preseason. This Saturday, the preseason continues with a match-up between the Washington Commanders and New York Jets. The Commanders vs. Jets game kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on NFL+ (and locally on WCBS and WUS9). Are you ready to watch? Here’s everything you need to know about today’s NFL preseason game: Commanders at Jets. Plus the dates and times for all 32 NFL teams’ preseason games, and how to watch the whole NFL preseason.
The 2024 NFL preseason kicked off with a doubleheader on Thursday, Aug. 8. The preseason continues today with the Commanders at Jets game.
A basic $6.99 per month (or $40 annually) NFL+ subscription will get you live out-of-market preseason games across supported devices, live local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, and live audio for every game of the season across supported devices. NFL+ Premium, while a little pricier at $14.99 per month (or $80 annually) also includes access to NFL Network and NFL RedZone, plus full and condensed replays of every game across supported devices. NFL+ also offers a 7-day free trial.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- At halftime of their first preseason game of the year, the Washington Commanders are tied with the New York Jets, 10-10.
That left tackles Chris Paul and Trent Scott to protect Washington rookie Jayden Daniels as he took his first live NFL snaps starting at the 30-yard line thanks to a kickoff out of the back of the end zone.
Daniels' first pass in his NFL debut sailed over the head of running back Austin Ekeler - a likely sign of a little too much adrenaline - but his second sailed down the right side of the field and into the waiting hands of wide receiver Dyami Brown for a 42-yard gain.
It was a great catch by Brown who had to go up over a defender to bring in the pass, and a strong first completion of Daniels' career. Eight plays later Daniels kept a read option and jogged around the right side into the Jets' end zone for his first rushing touchdown of the preseason, and the Commanders took a 7-0 lead after kicker Ramiz Ahmed made the extra point.
READ MORE: Washington Commanders 'Getting Great Work', 'Not Where We Want To Be' Says DT
Since it's the preseason, Washington pulled Daniels after the scoring drive and Marcus Mariota got a three-and-out opportunity with the first-team offense - minus right guard Sam Cosmi who backup Michael Deiter replaced. Mariota completed his lone pass attempt for a six-yard gain to receiver Jahan Dotson but was unable to notch a first down in his only possession of the game.
Following Mariota's drive, it was time for quarterback Jeff Driskel to get his first live snaps of the preseason. Driskel completed one of his three pass attempts and was able to move the ball a bit before ultimately stalling out leading to a Tress Way punt that was downed inside the New York 20-yard line.
The Jets hit paydirt on their third possession of the game when quarterback Andrew Peasley found receiver Jason Brownlee who was running a left side end zone fade against Washington cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.
On the play, it appeared Forbes was trying to track the ball coming out of Peasley's hand and lost his man, who was running into the left corner of the end zone, in the process. The extra point tied it up at seven points for each side, which is what the score would remain until Washington kicker Ramiz Ahmed made a field goal from 40 yards out to break the tie and give his team a 10-7 lead.
The Commanders are going to go to the film room knowing they missed out on more points on the possession prior when Driskel targeted receiver Jahan Dotson on a right-side fly route. The pass - which would have scored the team's second touchdown of the game - fell incomplete because the third-year receiver stumbled out of his break after cleanly winning off his release. Riley Patterson came in to try a 39-yard field goal to give Washington a three-point lead, but doinked the kick off the right upright, leaving the game tied at seven, at the time.
As the first half expired, New York kicker Greg Zuerlein made a 56-yard attempt to tie it all up at 10 points per side.
Heading into the locker room with a tie score, the Commanders and Jets will be looking for big plays in the second half as they try to secure their first win of the preseason, and we'll be looking for some lesser-known names to step up and make some plays.
READ MORE: New York Jets 'Thought Very Highly' of Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels
Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.
• Commanders' Jayden Daniels Scores Running Touchdown on Opening Drive Against Jets
• Washington Commanders at New York Jets: Pregame Updates and Observations
• 5 Rookies We're Excited to See in the Commanders First Preseason Game vs. Jets
• Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin Wants Team to 'Make The Most' of Opportunity
The No. 2 overall pick hurried his first throw, skying a screen pass intended for Austin Ekeler for an incompletion. However, Daniels' second throw was a beauty.
Facing a third-and-6, Daniels calmly settled into a good pocket, looked off the safety, and launched a pretty parabola to Dyami Brown for a 42-yard gain.
It turns out he actually audibled to set up that big gainer.
"He made a check mid-play," Commanders offensive lineman Sam Cosmi said of Daniels during the game broadcast, per the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. "It turned out to be a big gain. … We bunkered down and really went in there. He was calm and collected, which is what you want to see, and it was really impressive. We all sat on the sideline and we were like, 'Dang, that was really fun.' So, I think everybody should be very excited just from that little sneak peek right there. I know I am. I know I am. I know the guys are fired up. I think we got a dude back there."
The pass settled the rookie down. He managed the huddle well and got to the line comfortably. Daniels later zipped a short pass to Terry McLaurin for a minimal gain.
Daniels then reminded the league he's also a weapon with his legs, taking a zone read on third-and-goal for an easy walk-in touchdown.
The Heisman Trophy winner gave way to Marcus Mariota after the singular touchdown drive. Daniels finished 2-of-3 passing for 45 yards.
It was as good of a debut as coach Dan Quinn could have hoped for. Daniels shook off a shaky first pass, ran the offense well, splashed a big play on third down, and showed off his dual-threat ability.
Yes, it was one preseason drive against New York Jets' backups, but Daniels flashed all the sky-high talent we knew he possessed entering the NFL. The vibes are good in DC.
