Washington Commanders (1-0) – Arizona Cardinals (0-1): 20-16
1 minute from the end of the match, Joshua Dobbs (21/30, 133 yards) and the Cardinals have a 4&10 to play in their camp. Trailing by only 4 points, the Arizona players can still hope to win. Unfortunately the quarterback does not find the solution to the pass and sees it countered.
Arizona therefore lost this match 16 to 20. A defeat certainly, but not as heavy as expected by many. The Cardinals showed will and some nice surprises on defense. It’s already that.
On the Commanders side, Sam Howell (19/31, 202 yards, 1TD, 1INT) alternated between good and bad. However, the team was not really thrilled against a team with less talent…
The Cardinals surprise
After an exchange of punts, it was the Commanders who scored first with a series of 91 yards where Sam Howell found his targets well and concluded with a touchdown pass (7-0) for Brian Robinson Jr (19 races, 59 yards, 1TD at reception).
But Arizona didn’t come to play the victim. In attack, the team goes on two kicks (7-6) and in defense, the team has the pleasure of seeing two of its most promising young players cause turnovers. First it was Zaven Collins who distinguished himself by intercepting Howll and then forcing a loss of ball. Then it’s Cameron Thomas who takes advantage of a sack on Sam Howell in his 15 yards to recover the ball and run towards the endzone for the touchdown (7-13).
Washington was stunned by this sequence from the visitors but managed to limit the damage by adding a field goal just before halftime (10-13).
Washington at the finish
Returning from the locker room, the Cardinals score a field goal to regain a little lead (10-16) but behind it things will get complicated…
The attack is no longer moving forward and the pressure is more and more persistent on Joshua Dobbs. The quarterback loses the ball twice, allowing the locals to add points each time.
On the first turnover, Washington took the opportunity to advance on the ground and conclude with a run from its young quarterback (17-16). The second time, the attack added a field goal (20-16) allowing them to regain the advantage and block the counter.
The Commanders can therefore thank the awakening of their defense which was decisive in giving ammunition to Sam Howell.
