Week 1 is finally here. For the Washington Commanders, that means the debut of head coach Dan Quinn, quarterback Jayden Daniels, and a host of others. Washington opens the season with a late afternoon kickoff in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers.
The Commanders are coming off a 4-13 season, while the Bucs were NFC South champions one year ago. What can Washington do to get the Quinn era off to a strong start?
We identify four keys to a Commanders’ Week 1 victory:
Protect Jayden Daniels
We aren’t just talking about the offensive line here. This means offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury must follow a plan similar to the one he used in the preseason, where Daniels caught the snap and released the ball in around two seconds or less. While you can’t do that on every play, it will help keep the defense off-balanced and keep Daniels from taking unnecessary hits.
This also means a competent running game. If the Commanders can follow this offensive plan, they stand a good chance of winning on the road.
Involve Terry McLaurin early
The past two offensive coordinators didn’t do a good job of getting the star receiver the ball early in the game. There’s a pattern where if McLaurin is involved early and often, Washington is much more effective offensively. Not only is McLaurin a big-play threat every time he touches the ball, but he also opens up opportunities for other receivers. And with questions about Washington’s other receivers, getting McLaurin the ball makes even more sense.
Make someone other than Mike Evans beat you
Mike Evans is a future Hall of Famer. He enters his 11th NFL season on Sunday, having gone over 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 seasons. He also scores a lot of touchdowns and has enjoyed success against Washington, averaging over 120 yards receiving per game. Evans’ track record is a testament to his consistent excellence and availability. At 31, he remains one of the NFL’s best receivers. Who matches up with Evans? Benjamin St-Juste or Emmanuel Forbes? Regardless of who it is, the Commanders should double-team Evans and make others beat them.
Avoid a slow start
Offensively, defensively, or on special teams, Washington cannot afford a slow start. If the Commanders get behind on the road against an experienced Tampa Bay team, it won’t be easy to come back from. The Buccaneers have an experienced-laden roster, including under center with Baker Mayfield. Washington doesn’t want Daniels playing from behind on the road in his first NFL start.