The first offensive drive for the Washington Commanders went 74 yards on eight plays and ended with quarterback Carson Wentz finding wide receiver Curtis Samuel on a zig route for a six-yard touchdown.
Go ahead, Curtis Samuel
— FanSided (@FanSided) September 11, 2022
: @NFL pic.twitter.com/2RSGxdT9oN
The touchdown gave the Commanders an early 7-3 lead. The Jaguars settled for a field on the game’s opening drive.
Washington’s first play resulted in Wentz sailing a pass over the head of a wide-open Jahan Dotson. Wentz then completed his next four passes on the drive.
That included a screen pass to undrafted rookie tight end Armani Rogers for 23 yards.
KPI TO WATCH – WHICH TE EMERGES BEHIND LOGAN THOMAS?
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) September 11, 2022
Well, advantage Armani Rogers with this nice catch and run!#HTTC pic.twitter.com/eObVbfWPgY
Later in the drive, running back Antonio Gibson showed off his versatility along with offensive coordinator Scott Turner’s play-calling. Gibson ran a sail route out of the backfield with a two-back formation before hauling in a 26-yard catch to get inside the 5-yard line.
Another very nice design by Scott Turner. RB Sail with 2 RBs in the backfield. Gibson runs the sail, Wentz finds him with a nice ball for a big gain #Commanders pic.twitter.com/7eI2Rz3695
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) September 11, 2022
Two plays later Wentz connected with Samuel.
Curtis Samuel in 2021: 6 rec, 27 yards, 0 TD
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 11, 2022
Curtis Samuel on the opening drive: 2 rec, 16 yards, TD. Also a 5-yard carry.
Last year, Samuel was a free-agent disappointment. Groin and hamstring injuries limited him to 84 offensive snaps in his first season with Washington. It’s surely a huge lift for Samuel to get back to full health and make an immediate impact to start his second season in burgundy and gold.
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