close
close
vestyc

Commanders trail Buccaneers 16-7 at halftime of Week 1

Posted on by Vaseline

TAMPA, Fla. — The Washington Commanders traveled south to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to open the 2024 NFL season, trailing 16-7 at halftime.

The scoring started on the game’s first drive, when the Buccaneers drove to the Commanders’ 38-yard line and kicker Chase McLaughlin connected on a 56-yard field goal to give his team an early 3-0 lead.

When Washington rookie Jayden Daniels first officially got his hands on the ball as an NFL quarterback, he did so from his own 30-yard line on a touchback following a made field goal.

READ MORE: Commanders vs. Buccaneers: How to Watch, Time, TV, Predictions, Preview

Jayden Daniels, quarterback of the Washington Commanders.

Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) steps back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Unfortunately, Daniels’ first career pass attempt resulted in a fumble for the rookie, as his pass went backwards and was intended for running back Brian Robinson Jr. and bounced out of bounds for a loss of 15. It was fairly easy to project a three-and-out from there and Washington promptly punted the ball away.

On the next possession, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield threw a pass that Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste caught with both hands but couldn’t contain. Ultimately, the drive that should have ended there ended with another Buccaneers field goal, and with five minutes left in the first quarter, the home team held a 6-0 lead.

Daniels’ second drive went much better, though the result was the same. In addition to completing four of his five pass attempts for 20 yards, the rookie also ran for 26 yards and got Washington in range for a 47-yard Cade York field goal try that went wide to the right, making the score 6-0 in Tampa Bay’s favor.

The problem with missing scoring opportunities is that you can’t count on your opponent to do the same. On the drive following the missed Washington field goal, the Bucs offense threw two passes for 19 yards and one for 17. The 17-yard completion went to Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, who beat Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste in the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. The extra point gave Tampa Bay a 13-0 lead.

On their third drive of the game, however, Daniels and the offense were able to respond. With the help of two explosive plays – a 22-yard pass and run to running back Austin Ekeler and a 12-yard run by Daniels who had an extra 15 yards because of a Tampa Bay defensive penalty – Washington got the ball to the opposite seven-yard line and handed it off to running back Brian Robinson Jr., who scored his and the team’s first touchdown of the year. York made the extra point after the score and effectively cut the lead to 13-7.

The lead didn’t stay small for long, however, as the Buccaneers got back into scoring position and scored a field goal by McLaughlin with 16 seconds left in the first half, increasing the lead to nine points before halftime.

With 16 seconds and one timeout left on the clock, Washington took a knee to go into halftime with the visiting Commanders trailing 16-7.

READ MORE: Commanders QB misses season opener against Bucs

Stay tuned to CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE Washington Commanders coverage throughout the 2024 season.

• Commanders Rookie DT declared inactive against Bucs

• Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Reveals Mindset for NFL Debut

• Washington Commanders Week 1 Rankings Boosted by New QB Jayden Daniels

• Commanders trade for Bills cornerback in proposed deal