Tag: 2022 nfl preseason

Commanders late rally falls short, as Panthers win preseason opener 23-21

Washington’s fourth-quarter comeback falls short as the Panthers win the preseason opener, 23-21.

The Carolina Panthers kicked a field goal with 24 seconds remaining to defeat the Washington Commanders, 23-21, in the preseason opener for both teams.

For a while on Saturday, the Commanders looked inept on offense. Of course, it was the first preseason game, which can be expected. At least early in the game, the defense looked like last year’s version that struggled on third downs.

However, things turned around for Washington. The defense settled down, and the offense received new life when rookie quarterback Sam Howell came in for the second half.

Trailing 20-6 at the start of the fourth quarter, Howell led the Commanders down the field, eventually scoring his first NFL touchdown on a 17-yard run. Washington’s defense got the ball back, and Howell once again led the Commanders down the field, this time scoring from one yard out.

Instead of going for the tie, Washington head coach Ron Rivera went for the lead. Howell found Alex Erickson for the two-point conversion, and the Commanders were suddenly ahead.

It would be up to the defense to win the game. Unfortunately, on two occasions, it appeared the defense had the game wrapped up, but a penalty gave the Panthers life. On one, safety Jeremy Reaves was called for illegal contact wiping out a Washington turnover that would have ended the game.

The Commanders head to Kansas City to play the Chiefs next Saturday in Week 2 of the preseason.

Carson Wentz completed 10 of 13 passes for 74 yards in his Washington debut. Howell completed 9 of 16 passes for 143 yards and rushed for 19 yards and two touchdowns.

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Commanders unveil new fight song ahead of preseason opener

Commanders reveal “Fight for our Commanders” as the team’s new fight song.

The Washington Commanders completed the next stage of their rebranding on Saturday by unveiling the team’s new fight song. “Fight for our Commanders” is Washington’s new fight song, which was determined by a fan vote.

In July, the team announced the new fight song would be either “Fight for our Commanders” or “Leaders on a Mission.”

The fans spoke, and Washington listened. “Fight for our Commanders” sounds very similar to the franchise’s original fight song, “Hail to the Redskins,” which was important to the fans.

Washington’s official Twitter account said of the new fight song: “Introducing the #HTTC Fight Song: a classic sound with a subtle remix.

Washington collaborated with the family of Barnee Breeskin, who wrote the team’s original fight song back in 1937, on the new version.

So, Washington fans, what do you think?

WATCH: Commanders rookie QB Sam Howell rushes for touchdown

Watch Sam Howell score his first NFL touchdown.

It’s been a good day for the Washington Commanders’ rookie class. In the first half of the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, third-round running back Brian Robinson Jr. scored his first NFL touchdown.

As expected, rookie quarterback Sam Howell took over Washington’s offense in the second half. While his first couple of drives were quiet, Howell took over on his third drive of the game, completing two big passes down the field.

Finally, as the Commanders made their way into the red zone, Howell dropped back, couldn’t find anyone, and took things into his own hands by putting a move on a Carolina defender and scoring from 17 yards out.

Howell’s drive seemed to energize Washington’s defense, which was all over Carolina rookie quarterback Matt Corral, forcing a punt. The Commanders went back on offense, with Howell marching them down the field. Howell finished off that drive with another scoring drive.

Washington went for two, taking its first lead of the day, 21-20, with a little over two minutes remaining in the game.

 

Panthers lead Commanders 10-6 at halftime in preseason opener

The Panthers lead the Commanders 10-6 at halftime.

The Washington Commanders trail the Carolina Panthers, 10-6, at halftime of the preseason opener from FedEx Field.

The Commanders took the field first in their all-white uniforms, with quarterback Carson Wentz finding wide receiver Curtis Samuel for a six-yard gain as the first possession’s highlight.

Washington punted, and the Panthers quickly moved the ball down the field as Carolina quarterback Baker Mayfield converted three third-down conversions before the Commanders’ defense tightened in the red zone. The Panthers settled for three points.

Washington running back Antonio Gibson fumbled, and the Panthers turned into seven points to take a 10-0 lead. On the next possession, rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. took over, rushing for 26 yards and catching two passes for 15 yards. Robinson capped off the drive with his first NFL touchdown.

Wentz completed 10 of 13 passes for 74 yards in his Washington debut. Wentz played into the second quarter for the Commanders.

WATCH: Rookie running Brian Robinson Jr. scores the Commanders’ first touchdown

Rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. has an impressive debut for the Commanders.

As the Washington Commanders took the field for the first time in the 2022 preseason, much of the attention was on new quarterback Carson Wentz and wide receivers Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin.

What about rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr?

The third-round pick from Alabama entered the game on Washington’s third possession and immediately went to work. Robinson took his first carry for an impressive 11 yards up the middle. Then, on the next play, quarterback Carson Wentz dropped back and found Robinson for a nine-yard catch-and-run.

Finally, Robinson would cap off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to cut Carolina’s lead to 10-6.

Robinson’s performance couldn’t have come at a better time. On the previous possession, starting running back Antonio Gibson fumbled deep in Washington territory. The Panthers turned it into seven points.

Gibson did return to the game for the Commanders on their next offensive possession.

 

LOOK: Commanders in all-white uniforms for preseason debut

Commanders debut their white jerseys in the preseason opener vs. the Panthers.

The Washington NFL franchise took the field for the first time on Saturday afternoon as the Commanders. Washington also debuted its new jerseys and helmets. Which jersey combination would the Commanders use for the preseason opener against the Panthers?

That would be the all-white look that has been popular with the players and fans over the years. However, this all-white version has a different look.

Check it out.

The white jerseys didn’t initially appear popular with Washington’s fans but perhaps seeing them on the field for the first time will slowly turn them around.

The new helmets, though, appear pretty popular.

The Commanders took the field first, but Wentz and the offense managed just six yards and a punt.

 

Tyler Goodson starts for the Green Bay Packers in their 2022 preseason opener

Running back Tyler Goodson received the start in Green Bay’s first preseason game in a strong showing for the Packers’ backfield.

There is a massive myth about preseason football that it does not matter. Yeah, tell that to a player like Tyler Goodson.

While the game may not ultimately count towards the team’s wins loss record, and won’t affect whether or not someone makes it to the postseason, they actually matter a lot. For players trying to make it on an NFL roster, the preseason is some of the most important stages they’ll ever step onto in their life.

Tyler Goodson was a standout back for the Iowa Hawkeyes, racking up 2,551 yards and 18 rushing scores in his three seasons in Iowa City. As a junior he rushed for over 1,100 yards and reached the endzone six times despite some unusually shaky offensive line play. Unfortunately that wasn’t enough for the Suwanee, Georgia native to be drafted, but he was scooped up by the Green Bay Packers rather swiftly as an undrafted free agent.

While the two starters for the Packers are set in Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, Goodson is fighting for that third back slot. With second year back Kylin Hill currently injured, now is even more of a prime time to make an impact for Goodson. After a good start in training camp, Goodson received the starting duties in the Packers first preseason contest against the San Francisco 49ers. While the statline wasn’t anything to write home about in the end, Goodson impressed packers fans with his athleticism and receiving abilities, something that he wasn’t really able to showcase in black and gold.

With 7:48 left in the first quarter, Goodson dazzled with a 22-yard catch-and-run off of a screen pass from Jordan Love on second-and-six. Receiving the ball at the right hash-mark, Goodson followed his blockers and zoomed past strong safety Tarvarius Moore down the Packers sideline.

Goodson further showed his dexterity in the open field late in the first quarter. On a toss play to his left on second-and-three, Goodson cut up the field with great burst to follow the open hole. While he was met with a ferocious hit by safety Talanoa Hufange, a 2021 fifth-round pick out of future Big Ten rival USC, Goodson popped right back up. It’s small, but it’s good to see a running back of Goodson’s stature able to not fumble and get right back up after such a massive tackle.

There were some good things to takeaway from Goodson’s debut. His burst looks as good as ever, and he looks more than capable in the receiving game. He can do some dangerous things in the open field. None of this is a surprise to anyone who watched Hawkeyes football last year.

The competition for the third running back position will be fierce though. BJ Baylor, a fellow undrafted rookie and former Oregon State Beaver, actually led with Packers in receiving yards off the back of his big pitch-and-catch with Danny Etling. Baylor was a prolific rusher for the Beavers, racking up a Pac-12 leading 1,337 rushing yards. His 75 receiving yards against San Francisco Friday night actually match his total for Oregon State for all of last year.

Dexter Williams, in his second stint with the team that drafted him previously, ripped off a big 24-yard run as well. You also cannot forget about Hill, a former seventh-round pick, either. Goodson helped his case a bit in his first start for the Packers, but has to do more to earn his spot for Green Bay.

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Where do the Commanders rank in Touchdown Wire’s preseason power rankings?

Touchdown Wire ranks the Commanders No. 23 in the preseason power rankings.

The 2022 NFL preseason is finally here. And there is a full slate of games for Week 1 of the preseason, including the Washington Commanders hosting the Carolina Panthers at FedEx Field.

Before all 32 teams took the field for the first time, Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar offered his preseason power rankings. There were no surprises at the top, with the Bills, Rams and Packers making up the top three. Farrar’s power rankings were slightly different than some, with the Denver Broncos coming in at No. 4, thanks to new quarterback Russell Wilson.

The Washington Commanders also have a new quarterback in Carson Wentz. However, unlike Wilson, Wentz is viewed much differently around the NFL and will now play on his third team in three years.

Where did Farrar rank Washington in his preseason power rankings?

The Commanders came in at No. 23. Is that too high or too low? That, of course, depends on Wentz.

Washington faces plenty of ifs in 2022. If those “ifs” turn out positively, such as Wentz having a good season, the Commanders are a playoff team. If not, Washington will again pick in the top 10.

Fans can buy Commanders preseason tickets for as low as $1

Fans can get preseason tickets for Saturday’s opener against the Panthers for as low as $1.

If you want to attend the Washington Commanders’ first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at FedEx Field on Saturday, you can get in for cheap. Really cheap.

Daniel Kaplan, the sports business reporter for The Athletic, found a secondary ticket platform selling tickets for Washington’s preseason opener for as low as $1.

Of course, some made bad jokes on social media, while others said that $1 still felt too expensive. All jokes aside, $1 for a preseason ticket on a Saturday could be a fun day for the family. Sure, drinks will still be expensive, and the traffic to and from FedEx will remain disastrous, but the Commanders are doing everything they can to entice fans to come to games.

Last week’s practice event at FedEx Field drew a solid crowd. It was on a Saturday evening. Can the Commanders expect a similar turnout for Saturday?

Seven young players to watch in Week 1 of the NFL preseason

Touchdown Wire’s Laurie Fitzpatrick points out seven young players to watch in the first week of the 2022 NFL preseason.

It’s officially the first weekend of full NFL preseason football! As teams begin joint practices, most starters will either be held out in this weekā€™s games, or will play limited snaps.

This weekend’s matchups will be a good evaluation tool to see which players will make the first round of depth chart cuts (to 85 players) that take place on August 16th.

As players finally get to play full game speed, let’s take a look at a few underdogs who have been unexpectedly shining through camp; and who may surprise us all to make the final roster.s