The Washington Commanders controlled the Las Vegas Raiders yesterday, 41-24.
QB Marcus Mariota was a steady presence for a re-calibrated Commander Offense that asserted its running game against a Raider Defense that prior to this particular contest had done well versus the run.
Jeremy McNichols was pinballed at the line of scrimmage on one play, realized he still was upright, then bolted 60 yards to the end zone. The running game secured itself as a threat in the Raiders' collective unconscious.
Commanders went 32 carries for 201 yards and 3 Tuddies. Bill Croskey-Merritt had a touchdown. Mariota scrambled for a Tuddie. Combined with the afore-mentioned jaunt by McNichols.
The Running Back room had a good day.
A feisty Commander Defense returned to play Sunday. They generated 8 QB hits, 8 Tackles for Losses, and 5 QB Sacks. Young man Javontae Jean-Baptiste came up with a sack. Dorrance Armstrong continued his strong start--5 tackles, 3 solo, 1 sack and 2 tackles for losses. Sackmeister Emeritus Von Miller had a sack. But the best of the best was Bobby Wagner.
Wagner played inspired professional football in front of former Head Coach Pete Carroll, garnering 11 tackles, 6 solos, 2 sacks, and 2 tacles for losses.
Deebo Samuel and Jaylin Lane headlined special teams. Samuel took the opening kick 69 yards. Lane returned a punt 90 yards for a Tuddie.
Geno Smith, Tre Tucker, and Maxx Crosby stood out for the Raiders.
All three phases worked for the Commanders who next face the Atlanta Falcons.
Interesting result in the Packer Game.
