Clash at FedExField: Washington Commanders Prepare to Host Jacksonville Jaguars
As the Washington Commanders gear up to face the Jacksonville Jaguars at FedExField, fans are looking forward to what promises to be an intriguing matchup. The Commanders have shown a mix of promise and areas for improvement in their preseason games, and this upcoming game will be a critical test as they look to start their season on the right foot.
In their last preseason outing against the Baltimore Ravens on August 27, the Commanders fell short by just two points, with a final score of 17-15. Despite this narrow loss, there were positive takeaways from that game. The passing game was notably efficient; with a completion percentage of 69 percent and an average of over six yards per attempt, it's clear that when given time in the pocket, the quarterback can deliver. However, protection is key as evidenced by five sacks allowed during that game.
The running attack also showed potential against Baltimore with an average gain per rush play standing at roughly four yards. This balance between air and ground offense will be crucial against Jacksonville's defense.
Defensively speaking, while no sacks were recorded by Washington in their last encounter with Baltimore, they did manage three forced three-and-outs—a sign that they can get off the field when necessary. But moving forward into this next game against Jacksonville Jaguars' dynamic offense led by young quarterback Trevor Lawrence will require more pressure upfront and tighter coverage downfield.
Special teams had its upsides too; punting was particularly effective with two punts landing inside the 20-yard line out of three attempts—an important aspect for controlling field position.
Looking back further at another preseason performance on August 20 versus Kansas City Chiefs where Washington lost 24-14 shows some consistency in defensive prowess—three sacks and five quarterback hits indicate an ability to disrupt opposing offenses which could bode well for them facing Jacksonville's offensive line.
However one area needing attention is penalties; ten penalties costing them 82 yards against Baltimore is something that needs cleaning up if they want better control over games moving forward.
With these insights from past performances combined with intense preparation leading up to September 11th’s showdown at FedExField scheduled for noon local time (5 PM GMT), fans should expect a determined Commander squad ready to make a statement win before their home crowd. It won't be easy but if past data indicates anything—it’s that this team has fight in them capable enough for victory.