It was another preseason setback for the Washington Commanders, but in this stage of the buildup, results play second fiddle to development and evaluation. Head coach Dan Quinn found plenty to smile about in the team’s loss to the Miami Dolphins. Some starters took the field early on, while players fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster seized their chance to shine.
Game Highlights and Player Evaluations
As is the norm for preseason matches, the game was a mixed bag of thrilling moments and avoidable errors. Both Quinn and general manager Adam Peters now have more extensive film on players whose destinies remain up in the air. Several athletes significantly bolstered their prospects, and their performances could tip the scales positively as we approach the final week before cuts are made.
However, it wasn’t a bed of roses for everyone. Quinn and Peters now face a challenging task: figuring out the current state of the roster and identifying what additional pieces are needed. With the Commanders holding the No. 2 spot in the waiver wire priority, right behind a talent-starved Carolina Panthers, this week will be crucial.
The Ups and Downs Against Miami
Here are four bright spots and three disappointments from Washington’s preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins:
Winner No. 1
Jayden Daniels – Commanders QB
What a night for Jayden Daniels! The Commanders’ latest franchise quarterback took center stage for two series, continuing his ongoing development. Impressive is an understatement — Daniels appeared poised and assured under center, consistently making the right calls to keep the chains moving.
Daniels demonstrated his ability to read defenses and quickly progress through his options like a seasoned pro, getting the ball to his playmakers with remarkable timing. And let’s not forget his legs; Daniels electrified the crowd with a dynamic 13-yard run, though it drew some eyebrow raises from Quinn as Daniels refused to slide after securing the first down.
Imagine this: things could have been even rosier for the Heisman Trophy winner if it hadn’t been for those pesky penalties nullifying some significant gains. Despite that, Daniels still completed 83.33% of his passes and notched an admirable passer rating of 93.8. This marked another step forward for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, albeit from a limited sample size.
Anticipation is building around Daniels. Expectations are soaring. Yet, if the weight of this responsibility is affecting the former LSU star, he’s doing an exceptional job of hiding it.
Notes and Anecdotes from the Game
One could cut the tension with a knife on the field, especially during critical junctures where every yard seemed to matter. Daniels, with his cool demeanor, resembles a maestro conducting a symphony, each pass and run adding another layer to his magnum opus.
Moreover, speaking of ironies, despite some players’ struggle to make a mark, the almost poetic assist Daniels provided in galvanizing even those on the fringes cannot be overstated. It’s like the quarterback is a magnet, pulling out the best from those around him.
So as we gear up for the nail-biting finale before roster cuts, every Commanders fan should keep their fingers crossed. If the rest of the team can channel just a fraction of Jayden Daniels’ resolve and flair, Washington’s future could be painted in more vibrant strokes.
