The Commanders beat the Raiders in convincing fashion Sunday, rolling to a 41-24 victory behind a solid rushing attack and key contributions from relatively unexpected places. With Jayden Daniels sidelined by injury, it was up to other players to step up at home.
Mariota Leads Ground-Heavy Attack
Marcus Mariota made his first NFL start since 2022, completing 15 of 21 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown. The veteran quarterback also contributed 40 rushing yards on six carries, which included a 2-yard touchdown to open the scoring. His only real folly of the day, a fumble on a rushing attempt.
“I love this system,” said Mariota.
Running Back Committee Dominates
With Austin Ekeler lost for the season, Washington’s running back committee proved they could carry the load. Washington beat the Raiders up in the ground game, grinding out 174 rushing yards in the first half alone—their most since 2010 against Tampa Bay.
Jeremy McNichols provided the most explosive play, breaking loose for a 60-yard touchdown run that was also his longest ever career gain. The veteran back had never recorded a run longer than 28 yards in his previous eight NFL seasons. He finished with 78 yards on just four carries.
“He broke probably six tackles,” Mariota said of McNichols’ touchdown.
Chris Rodriguez gained 39 yards on 11 carries, after being inactive for the first two games.
Rookie Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt added 26 yards on eight touches, including a 1-yard touchdown plunge set up by a Mariota 56-yard strike to Terry McLaurin.
“We’ve got some boys in the backfield, man. You know what I’m saying?” Rodriguez said. “And we can all do everything.”
Special Teams Provides Spark
Rookie Jaylin Lane delivered the wow moment of the game with a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown, tying the longest punt return score in franchise history.
Coach Dan Quinn praised the team’s depth and readiness when opportunities arose.
“It does speak to the team and, when called upon, being able to deliver,” Quinn said. “You don’t know who’s going to be the one to take that step and make the one (big play).”
Jacquez Green was the other player to score a 90-yard punt return TD in 2002. Green was only with Washington for half a season.
It was also the first ever punt return touchdown by a Washington Commander. The last return TD was by Jamison Crowder as a Washington Redskin in 2016.
Offensive Line Changes
It would be irresponsible to give all of the flowers to the running backs without acknowledging the offensive line. Especially when two of the five were making their first starts of the season. Andrew Wylie and Chris Paul got the starts at guard over Nick Allegretti and Brandon Coleman. The moves seemed effective as the revamped line helped create rushing lanes throughout the game.
Trent Scott frequently entered as a sixth offensive lineman, providing additional blocking support that contributed to the dominant ground performance.
Defense Steps Up
Washington’s defense pressured Raiders quarterback Geno Smith all game long. The Commanders recorded five sacks, including two by linebacker Bobby Wagner. It had an obvious effect on Las Vegas’s offensive rhythm.
Smith completed 19 of 29 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns, all to receiver Tre Tucker, who caught eight passes for 145 yards.
Coach Quinn Gets Trucked!
The victory came with some unintended drama when head coach Dan Quinn became an unwitting participant in the action. Late in the first half, Mariota was running out of bounds when he was pushed into the Commanders’ sideline by Raiders safety Tristin McCollum. Mariota was unable to stop himself before hitting Quinn.
The Commanders head coach fell to the ground, and fell hard. Quinn was knocked on his back, slamming his head on the ground and incurring a cut on the bridge of his nose. His signature backwards baseball cap and headset spilled and landed somewhere nearby.
Despite the collision leaving him bloodied, Quinn was all smiles as he jogged to the locker room at halftime. He got treatment at halftime, though the cut on his nose did not require stitches.
Frankie Luvu said in a shout out to Quinn in the dressing room after the game while handing him a game ball:
“Coach popped up like toast.”
Brilliant.
Quinn’s legacy continues to grow in Washington. It’d be tough to find an NFL coach that is loved more by his players.
What a fantastic hire this proved to be from Josh Harris.
The level of turnaround in the nation’s capital is worth putting in books.
Rags to Riches, has nothing on Despair To Hope.
Injury Updates
The win came at a price. Four defensive backs missed portions of the contest. Safety Will Harris (ankle), safety Percy Butler (hip), cornerback Marshon Lattimore (concussion evaluation), and cornerback Trey Amos (calf) all dealt with various ailments.
Harris will likely miss the remainder of the season.
Terry McLaurin also left the game in the second half with an undisclosed quadriceps injury.
It will likely be Wednesday before much reliable information is available on the injuries.
Looking Ahead
With the Washington Commanders victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, they improve to 2-1 on the season, despite some key injuries. With the running game gaining steam, Washington heads to Atlanta next Sunday with renewed confidence in their depth and versatility.
And In Marcus We Trust.
Hail.