A rookie quarterback stole the crowd, but the Washington Commanders starting passer confirmed there's no real debate. Indeed, the debate may be whether the defense can fulfill expectations.
The 23-21 loss to the Carolina Panthers in the Aug. 13 preseason opener was a decent effort. Quarterback Carson Wentz led a touchdown drive over a hefty 21 snaps, the running game has a new champion and Curtis Samuel was spotted making a catch. That fifth-round passer Sam Howell scored two touchdowns for a late lead sparked optimism while third-round running back Brian Robinson proved ready for a regular workload over veteran Antonio Gibson, who may have fumbled away the job.
That's all good stuff. The Commanders need an offensive surge if they're finally to post a winning season in coach Ron Rivera's third year. But, the defense looked lackluster against a couple pedestrian passers. Carolina opened with a 13-play drive, including three third-down conversions, for a field goal. It followed by converting a defensive turnover into a perfect 8-yard touchdown pass by Sam Darnold for a 10-0 early lead.
Boy, did that feel familiar. On a watershed day with a new team name and song before a sparse crowd on the summer's best weather that later attracted three times more people to a Nationals game hours later, the same ol' problems returned.
Interior defensive linemen Jon Allen and Daron Payne were the tip of the spear, but the rest was more like feathers. Not enough chemistry, too little passion and too much confusion by a unit that spent three weeks on the fields of Ashburn trying to grasp the scheme.
That's a little scary as Washington heads to Kansas City on Saturday where quarterback Patrick Mahomes should provide a real test of what lies ahead this fall.
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Of course, a preseason opener's problems are often dismissed, though successes aren't. Still, the defense once more can't await defensive end Chase Young's possible midseason return before playing well over the final two months like the last two years.
There was a more serious tone to coach Ron Rivera's postgame comments. Indeed, sharp words are needed because there's not much time to improve. Participation trophies lead to broken dreams and short NFL careers. Washington's youngest players must produce now and coordinators must adapt, or the defensive line won't be the only one with a new coach come 2023.
Washington can play better defensively. But like last season, it's baffling when it doesn't.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
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