The Washington Commanders finally broke into the win column this week, defeating the Tennessee Titans 31-24 to move to 1-2 on the season. It’s a win the locker room needed, but it’s not one they’re celebrating too hard. Despite flashes of life, Washington’s offense once again struggled to find rhythm, leaving more questions than answers heading into Week 4.
A Win the Defense Earned
For the third straight week, the Commanders’ defense carried the load. The front seven controlled the game from start to finish, generating four takeaways and keeping the Titans’ run game in check.
Safety Percy Butler turned in a standout performance with two interceptions, while defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton added two sacks, collapsing the pocket and forcing Tennessee into uncomfortable situations. Marshon Lattimore also locked down his side of the field, making life difficult for the Titans’ passing attack.
Even when the offense stalled, the defense found ways to flip momentum — forcing turnovers, creating short fields, and keeping Tennessee at bay late in the fourth quarter.
Offense Still Searching for Identity
While the scoreboard showed 31 points, the film told a different story. Washington’s offense was inconsistent at best — relying on big plays rather than sustained drives.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels finished 11-for-17 for 167 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Statistically solid, but the offense struggled to stay on schedule. Third down conversions were just 3-of-9, and multiple drives fizzled due to penalties or negative plays.
Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt provided a spark, carrying the ball 13 times for 68 yards, including a crucial 17-yard burst that helped flip field position. Still, the run game lacked rhythm, and Washington couldn’t consistently impose its will between the tackles.
Terry McLaurin led the team in receiving, catching three passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. Beyond that, however, production through the air was limited. Too many drives ended in punts or field goals when touchdowns were on the table.
Postgame Mood: Relieved, Not Satisfied
After the game, head coach Quentin Kaiser made it clear that while the win was important, it wasn’t enough.
“A win is a win, but our standard is higher than this,” Kaiser said postgame. “We expect more rhythm, better communication, and more consistency from our offense. The defense did their job. Now it’s time for the offense to catch up.”
Players echoed that same tone. While everyone was glad to get the first win of the season, there was a shared understanding that the team hasn’t come close to playing its best football yet.
Looking Ahead
At 1-2, Washington now has a chance to reset and build momentum heading into a critical part of the schedule. The defense has shown it can hang with anyone in the league, but the offense will determine how far this team goes.
With weapons like McLaurin, JCM, and Mark Andrews, there’s no shortage of talent — but until the Commanders find consistency up front and in the passing game, wins like this will feel more like survival than dominance.
Final Thoughts
• The defense continues to be the backbone of this team.
• The offense remains inconsistent and penalty-prone.
• The team needs to find its identity fast before the season slips away.
Washington got the result they needed, but not the performance they wanted. A win is always better than a loss — but if this team wants to make a statement in the PML, they’ll need to do more than just survive. They’ll need to dominate.
