The Washington Commanders shocked the world in Week 3, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 38-33 on the road at Paycor Stadium. However, the bigger story is the team receiving support from the skills positions.
Commanders Skill Players Unsung Heroes in Upset Over Bengals
Jayden Daniels Shines in Commanders’ Win Over Bengals
Washington entered Monday’s game as the underdog and was able to close out the game in style. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels pieced together another outstanding performance. He finished the game with 254 passing yards from completing 21-out-23 passes (91 percent). He ran the ball for 39 yards and didn’t commit any turnovers.
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Although Daniels was at the forefront of the Commanders’ Week 3 win, there are a couple of players who stepped up big and will add more depth to the skill position area. During the offseason, one question mark was the wide receiver position. Terry McLaurin, who caught the final touchdown to put away the Bengals, is the clear No. 1 receiver and leader of the team.
Needless to say, last night revealed two players will help relieve the pressure from Daniels and McLaurin down the line.
Commanders Insert Luke McCaffrey into WR Rotation
Monday night, a McCaffrey took the field, but it was not Christian. Luke McCaffrey was drafted out of Rice with the 100 pick in the 2024 NFL draft (via – San Francisco 49ers). Before the season began, it wasn’t clear if the rookie receiver would make the final roster.
Last night, McCaffrey took advantage of his prime-time appearance and finished the game with three catches for 44 yards from three targets. At face value, 44-yards doesn’t seem like a lot but he stepped up when needed and bounced back after being shut out in Week 2 against the New York Giants.
McCaffrey caught a huge 30-yard pass on 4th-and-2 in the first quarter, which led to a touchdown. His 30-yard catch/run was one out of the three fourth-down conversions for the Commanders.
The rookie wide-out caught an 11-yard pass in the second quarter that contributed to a Washington touchdown. His ability to catch the ball off short routes took the pressure off McLaurin which helped set up the deep ball.
Washington will be able to depend on the young receiver down the line and he has proved to be a piece for the future. His route running and nose for the ball helped Daniels avoid being sacked or taking unnecessary hits.
Take Command, Zach Ertz
Ultimately, every quarterback needs a security blanket that settles the storm. Zach Ertz is a 6-foot-5 tight end who can block and catch just about anything. His soft hands were on display on Monday Night Football.
Ertz controlled the middle of the field and was the anchor for the offense. He caught all five of his passes for a total of 38 yards and averaged 7.6 yards per carry.
An important catch for Ertz was in the fourth quarter where he caught a pass in the middle for 9 yards to move the chains. His catch set up the closing touchdown to McLaurin in the corner of the end-zone.
Washington’s tight end brings championship experience and a calm presence to this young Commanders team. He will help Daniels settle in and give him a reliable target to check down to.
In addition to his Monday night performance, the 6-foot-5 tight end helped the offense stay in control with his yards after the catch. Washington’s offensive line struggles to pass protect but he will help contain defensive ends that require double teams.
As the season progresses, the Stanford product will continue to create openings for the run game and relieve pressure.
Next week, Commanders will take on the Arizona Cardinals on the road at the State Farm Stadium.
Main Photo: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
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