The second preseason game is in the books for the Washington Commanders. Washington ended the Baltimore Ravens’ 24-game preseason winning streak with a last-second 29-28 win on Monday night.
The second game was the dress rehearsal for Washington’s offense in preparation for Week 1. Head coach Ron Rivera played his starting offense, outside of three players, for the entire first half. Quarterback Sam Howell was excellent, completing 19 of 25 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
Third-string quarterback Jake Fromm, who played the majority of the second half, led the Commanders to a pair of fourth-quarter scoring drives to end Baltimore’s streak.
The Commanders only played three of their defensive starters on the night: Linebackers Jamin Davis and Cody Barton and first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.
Here are some of the Commanders’ highest- and lowest-graded players from Week 2 of the preseason.
Top 5 offense
- QB Jake Fromm: 83.4
- G Nolan Laufenberg: 81.6
- WR Dyami Brown: 78.3
- LT Cornelius Lucas: 76.6
- RB Jonathan Williams: 76.0
Rookie offensive tackle Braeden Daniels, who played 25 snaps, was Washington’s No. 6 graded offensive player. So some signs of progress there.
Top 5 defense
- DE Will Bradley-King: 88.7
- FS Kendall Smith: 76.7
- FS Joshua Kalu: 76.1
- DT Benning Potoa’e: 73.2
- DE Joshua Pryor: 73.1
A good effort for Bradley-King, a former draft choice, who faces an uphill climb to make the roster Potoa’e is a player who flashed. Unfortunately for him, he plays defensive tackle, where the Commanders are loaded.
Bottom 5 offense
- QB Jacoby Brissett: 35.7
- C Nick Gates: 36.5
- WR Mitchell Tinsley: 42.2
- TE Curtis Hodges: 43.1
- LG Aaron Monteiro
Brissett played 19 snaps and never looked comfortable. His interception was bad. However, no concerns here. The Commanders know they have an outstanding backup/security blanket in Brissett. Gates on this list was surprising. Tinsley missed a couple he would like to have back, but nothing egregious. Hodges had two big drops.
Bottom 5 defense
- LB Cody Barton:
- DT John Ridgeway:
- CB Rachad Wildgoose:
- LB Milo Eifler:
- DT Abdullah Anderson:
Barton played 19 snaps, and there is probably some real concern here. No, not over his PFF grade, but the fact he was in the game for so long, along with Davis, while the other defensive starters sat. It will be interesting to keep an eye on Khaleke Hudson early in the season to see if he can push for playing time. Wildgoose had one horrible series. He can play the slot; Washington knows that but struggles badly on the outside. For him to make the roster, he needs to prove he can play outside. A bad night for him.
Other notables
- QB Sam Howell: 69.0
- CB Emmanuel Forbes: 62.2
- LB Jamin Davis: 64.1
- LB Khaleke Hudson: 64.1
- RG Sam Cosmi: 69.6
- WR Terry McLaurin: 66.6
- WR Jahan Dotson: 72.7
- RT Trent Scott: 71.2
- RB Antonio Gibson: 66.5
