The Washington Commanders ended the Baltimore Ravens’ 24-game preseason winning streak with a 29-28 win on Monday night. The Commanders improved to 2-0 in the preseason and will finish the preseason at home against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.
Washington went into Monday night’s game with many believing the offensive starters would play the first quarter before departing. While the Commanders wanted quarterback Sam Howell to get some work, they wouldn’t leave him in the game with the backup offensive line.
However, the Commanders surprisingly kept the first-team offense in throughout the first half, and Howell led Washington on three scoring drives with two touchdown passes and a field goal.
Meanwhile, the defense mainly played backups, with only linebackers Cody Barton and Jamin Davis and first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes playing extended time.
So, who shined in the preseason win? Who struggled? Here are the studs and duds from Washington’s preseason win over Baltimore.
Stud: QB Sam Howell
Sam Howell goes through his progressions on 3rd and 15.
📺: #BALvsWAS on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/L9mPiySUki pic.twitter.com/ERQLskrhoD— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2023
The above play was a high-level NFL throw on third-and-15, nonetheless. And it came after Howell took a sack and lost 13 yards. Howell made few mistakes on Monday night, completing 19 of 25 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Howell did everything the Commanders wanted to see, ran the offense with efficiency and made multiple big-time throws. Howell even ran the two-minute drill just before halftime, throwing a touchdown pass to his longtime friend, Dyami Brown.
Dud: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
I don’t want to pick on Chris Rodriguez Jr. here. He has been outstanding since being drafted in April. And he had another good night running the football, averaging over six yards per rushing attempt. But when you look back at Rodriguez’s night, what stands out? The fumble. I believe Rodriguez’s spot on the 53-man roster is secure, but you can’t fumble in a preseason game. Rodriguez knows this, and he doesn’t have a history of fumbling.
Stud: QB Jake Fromm
Jake Fromm had a chance to make history Monday night by ending the Ravens’ record preseason winning streak. How did he respond? By leading two fourth-quarter scoring drives in which he made multiple plays with his arms and legs. We still aren’t sure if he’s done enough to earn a roster spot, but that all comes to the coaches determining if they want to keep two or three quarterbacks.
Jake Fromm State Farm was NOT a good neighbor and made plays down the stretch to end the Ravens’ preseason 24 game winning streak.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 22, 2023
Dud: QB Jacoby Brissett
Brissett didn’t play a lot on Monday night because he didn’t need to play. The Commanders know what they have in Brissett. But for the second consecutive week, Brissett had an interception. It ultimately does not matter but Brissett wasn’t sharp against the Ravens.
Stud: Starting wide receivers
Jahan Dotson caught five passes for 76 yards, and Terry McLaurin had three receptions for 39 yards. Curtis Samuel got in on the fun, too, with one catch for 11 yards. It’s going to be fun watching Howell throw to Washington’s outstanding wideouts in 2023. The only negative here was McLaurin leaving with a toe injury. Fortunately, it doesn’t appear to be serious.
You can add Dyami Brown to the mix, too. Brown looks like a different player this summer and caught a touchdown on Monday night.
Dud: TE Curtis Hodges
The 6-foot-8 Hodges is in a battle to make Washington’s 53-man roster. Unfortunately, Hodges didn’t have a good performance vs. the Ravens. He had three targets and finished with one reception for seven yards. In the fourth quarter, when Fromm was trying to win the game, he put two balls in Hodges’ hands, and he didn’t come away with either of them. To be fair to Hodges, they would’ve been difficult catches, but you need to catch them. Not a great night for the second-year tight end fighting to make the roster.
Stud: K Joey Slye
Joey Slye officially won the kicking job over the weekend when the Commanders cut his competition. Slye has had a good camp. He’s capable of being terrific but also battles consistency issues. He made three field goals against the Ravens, including the game-winner. It was a good night for Slye, who answered the challenge.
Dud: LS Camaron Cheeseman
Why is the long snapper on this list? Camaron Cheeseman has reportedly been trying a new grip with his snaps this summer, leading to some adventures in training camp. On Monday night, it happened during the game when Cheeseman rolled one back to Tress Way, who got it down in time for Slye to make the field goal. The time for experimentation is over. The season is less than three weeks away, and the Commanders can’t have Cheeseman experimenting anymore.
Stud: WR Kazmeir Allen
The Commanders wanted to see wide receiver Kazmeir Allen make more plays on offense. He delivered, catching all three targets for 26 yards. He also returned one kickoff 23 yards and his only punt return went for 20 yards. Allen keeps stacking good days together. He should be on the roster.
Dud: CB Rachad Wildgoose
Cornerback Rachad Wildgoose has had a good camp. Unfortunately, he had a bad game against the Ravens. And when he’s in a battle to land the final cornerback spot on the roster, that matters. When Washington took the lead in the second quarter, Wildgoose essentially gave it back up on two consecutive plays. He was beaten badly on a deep pass and called for pass interference. It was a spot foul — and the right call. Baltimore goes right back after Wildgoose, who allows the touchdown reception.
Tough night for Wildgoose, who struggles when playing outside and is much better in the slot. The Commanders wanted to see him on the outside, and it didn’t go well.
