Well, one thing was perhaps solved Friday night.
The Washington Commanders were crushed by the New England Patriots 48-18 as the Commanders’ road trip came to a close. It didn’t take long at all for the momentum of the evening to be established, as the Commanders surrendered a 100-yard opening kickoff return touchdown. It wasn’t enough; they surrendered a 62-yard kickoff return later in the first half.
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The one thing that was perhaps solved in this mess of a game? I can’t imagine Josh Johnson is not the number three quarterback after Friday. Sam Hartman attempted 19 passes, yet only generated 64 yards of passing offense.
Head coach Dan Quinn said it was sloppy tonight. He spoke of the standards he wants, which were not kept on Friday. Quinn said they are going to watch all of this loss, every bit of it, and learn from the lessons that are there in the film. Quinn mentioned in particular the kickoff returns, the penalties, and the level of play. All of it is below Quinn’s standards. “When it’s sloppy and not to the standards that burns my ass.”
Quinn promised he would not be looking the other way, but would be squarely centered on facing whatever the film shows, and he sounded like he understands there will be much he did not like, and much he cannot accept.
What Quinn must have liked was the play of quarterback Josh Johnson. Johnson completed 15 of his 22 passing attempts for 173 passing yards and one touchdown and one interception. Now 39 years of age, Johnson still appears to be athletic enough to make another NFL roster later this month.
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A quick note to Commanders fans who have been getting on Luke McCaffrey and his performance of late. Quinn said that McCaffrey was removed from the game due to illness.
Giving up 15 penalties, being down 27-3 at the half, was undoubtedly not the preseason opener that Quinn and the Commanders hoped for. Yet, it happens. This will be a test for Quinn in conveying the proper messages to the team regarding various situations.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ depth struggles in preseason loss to Patriots
