The Commanders 2026 preseason opener towards the Dolphins went just about as deliberate. Washington gave up a gap drive rating, primarily with the second-team protection towards Miami’s starters. They locked in after that and did not permit any extra factors for the remainder of the sport in a 20-7 victory at Northwest Stadium.
What actually caught my consideration was the dearth of sloppy play — which is often prevalent within the preseason opener. Though coordinators David Blough and Daronte Jones saved issues fairly vanilla, the execution was good and I did not see plenty of unhealthy errors. To me, this was the largest win of the night.
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Under are my Studs and Duds of the sport, adopted by some notes.
Contents
Studs
Fatman Allen/Robert Henry Jr.
The rookie operating again duo turned out to be the spotlight of the night for Washington. Robert Henry confirmed imaginative and prescient and burst whereas Fatman Allen confirmed endurance and wiggle. Each males discovered the tip zone within the opener.
Quan Martin
Martin, enjoying security with the second-team protection, regarded the a part of a starter towards Miami. He had a wonderful deal with on Dolphins operating again De’Von Achane on the primary drive and bought an interception on the sideline early within the second quarter. He was across the soccer fairly a bit early within the recreation.
Shy Tuttle/Rickey Barber
Shy Tuttle and Rickey Barber confirmed effectively all through the night. The duo mixed for eight complete tackles, a sack and a deal with for a loss to go together with a number of pressures.
Matt Gulbin
Rookie sixth-r0under Matt Gulbin performed a very nice recreation at heart, albeit towards the Dolphins second- and third-string defensive position. He did a pleasant job working to the second stage to choose off Miami defenders and his anchor in go safety regarded actually good.
Duds
Sam Hartman
Quarterback Sam Hartman does not appear like he belongs on an NFL area. He lacks accuracy and zip on his passes, and his pocket-presence is below-average. Nonetheless, he does have a possible profession as a hair mannequin.
Johnny Newton
Enjoying with the starters, Newton regarded something however one! He was blown off the ball by Miami’s beginning offensive line and regarded gradual and misplaced.
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Julian (Not-so-)Good Jones
Washington’s beginning heart (by default), regarded overwhelmed towards the Dolphins protection. He confirmed a poor anchor in pass-pro and did not do an excellent job transferring our bodies or attending to the second stage.
Commanders Notes
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Athan Kaliakmanis simply outplayed Hartman on this first preseason contest. He regarded extra in command of the offense, had higher pocket presence and threw the ball with higher accuracy and a LOT extra zip. He did get sacked twice, however he’ll clen that up and eliminate the ball faster as he matures.
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Sonny Syles had a lackluster debut. The primary-round choose had a pair tackles he bought in on, however there have been additionally some instances the place he regarded like he was jogging on the market. I can not wait to see how he seems with the whole first-team protection.
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Receiver Jaylin Lane made three catches (which led the group) for 31 yards. A very good recreation for a younger large receiver who wants to indicate his palms usually are not a problem.
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Linebacker Leo Chenal had a quiet night in restricted enjoying time. He recorded one cease and whiffed on one other.
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Defensive deal with Byron Cowart had a couple of good splash performs in the course of the recreation working with the backups.
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Receiver Antonio Williams had a pleasant catch on the sidelines and made some good blocks within the run recreation.
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Defensive again Antonio Hamilton Sr. was a special-teams demon and was flying everywhere in the area in protection.
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Kicker Jake Moody goes to DOINK his method out of the league.
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Linebacker Ale Kaho performed an excellent recreation. He had a pleasant interception and performed effectively towards the run.
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Linebacker Jordan Magee flashed a few of his velocity and had a very nice play the place he slipped below a block and bought in on the deal with.
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Tanoa Togiai, enjoying proper guard, confirmed properly in his Commanders debut. I noticed No. 62 on a couple of events opening up holes and sealing off defenders.
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Defensive again Tyler Owens was lined up everywhere in the area. He was a part of a two-deep look, was within the field as a money-backer and even got here off the sting on a blitz.
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Tight finish Colson Yankoff had a couple of good blocks (additionally whiffed badly on one) and snagged two receptions for twenty-four yards.
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Defensive again Malik Spencer had his first NFL interception. I might wish to see him get some extra time with the second-team protection. The potential is there.