It wasn’t exactly a masterpiece, but the Washington Commanders (1-0) managed to squeak out a 20-16 win against the Arizona Cardinals (0-1) in a game that had more twists and turns than a rollercoaster.
The Commanders started the show with a bang, as Sam Howell connected with running back Brian Robinson Jr. for a 7-yard touchdown on their second drive. But then, the offense seemingly decided to take a coffee break.
In the first half, Washington treated us to a smorgasbord of turnovers: an interception from Howell, a fumble from Antonio Gibson, and a strip sack by Howell himself that gifted Arizona a touchdown. It was like watching a comedy of errors, and the Cardinals gleefully took a 13-7 lead after linebacker Cameron Thomas fell on the ball in the end zone.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, the teams exchanged field goals. But then, a glimmer of hope appeared on the horizon. Montez Sweat forced a fumble out of Cardinals quarterback Josh Dobbs, granting the struggling Commanders offense a short field. Howell managed to capitalize with a go-ahead touchdown, proving that sometimes fortune favors the, well, not-so-prepared.
The Commanders’ defense decided it was time to clock in, forcing yet another turnover on the following drive. The offense chipped in with a field goal, extending the lead to 20-16. Dobbs and the Cardinals had one last chance to orchestrate a comeback, but with 1:15 to go, their offense faltered on a 4th-and-10, sealing their fate.
So, yes, it was an ugly win, the kind of victory that leaves you scratching your head and wondering what just happened. But here’s the silver lining: the Commanders have a boatload of hype and momentum swirling around them, and sometimes, lessons are learned best in the school of hard knocks.
Now, as we look ahead, the Commanders are set to face the Denver Broncos on the road next week, and kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. So, get ready for more heart-pounding action, more turnovers, and maybe, just maybe, a smoother performance from the Commanders.
But let’s not forget to give credit where it’s due. Zach Ertz made his presence felt for the Cardinals, proving that age is just a number. The tight end, who had been questionable due to injury concerns, took the field and played a significant role. Keep an eye on him for your fantasy football lineups; he might just surprise you.
On the Commanders’ side, Brian Robinson Jr. seemed to have taken a step ahead of Antonio Gibson as the starting running back. Robinson put up some solid numbers, while Gibson’s contributions were limited. It’s a storyline worth watching in the coming weeks.
And speaking of surprises, Logan Thomas led the Commanders in targets, showcasing his potential in an offense that values the tight end position. With Eric Bieniemy as the offensive coordinator, there’s reason to be optimistic about Thomas’s future fantasy prospects.
So, while the Commanders’ win might not have been a work of art, it’s a win nonetheless. They say a win is a win, no matter how ugly. So, Commanders fans, rejoice in your victory and brace yourselves for the unpredictable journey that is the NFL season.
