Commanders Fall to Lions 17-13 as Defense Flashes, Offense Struggles to Finish Drives

The Washington Commanders could not turn an explosive defensive start into a preseason victory Saturday, falling to the Detroit Lions 17-13 at Ford Field.

Washington scored a defensive touchdown less than a minute into the game, forced two early turnovers and led 10-7 during the third quarter. Detroit, however, answered with 10 of the final 13 points and capitalized on Washington’s inability to finish offensive drives with touchdowns.

The Commanders fell to 1-1 in the preseason, while Detroit improved to 1-1. Washington finished with 243 total yards compared with Detroit’s 279 and was penalized 11 times for 84 yards. The Lions were flagged seven times for 35 yards. Detroit also held a 32:42-27:18 advantage in time of possession.

The result itself will not matter once the regular season begins, but there was plenty for Washington’s coaching staff to evaluate. The starting defense created immediate havoc, Athan Kaliakmanis continued to make a case in the quarterback competition and several young players produced encouraging moments.

At the same time, the offense failed to score a touchdown, Washington went 0-for-2 in the red zone and a late special-teams turnover ended the Commanders’ final opportunity to come back.

First Quarter: Washington Defense Comes Out Flying

Washington’s defense could not have scripted a better beginning.

Detroit opened at its own 23-yard line after the kickoff and gained four yards on its first play. On second down, former Lion Amik Robertson came screaming into the backfield on a blitz and dropped quarterback Josh Dobbs for a nine-yard loss.

Robertson knocked the ball loose on the sack, and the fumble bounced all the way into the end zone. Joshua Josephs recovered it for a Washington touchdown with 14:09 remaining in the opening quarter.

Drew Stevens converted the extra point, and Washington suddenly had a 7-0 advantage after Detroit had run only two offensive plays.

The Commanders’ defense was not finished.

Detroit’s next possession reached its own 45, but pressure again forced Dobbs into trouble. He rolled away from the rush and attempted to find Tay Martin over the middle. Quan Martin read the play, stepped in front of the pass and intercepted it at the Washington 44 before returning it six yards to midfield.

It was Martin’s second interception of the preseason. Washington has now forced six turnovers through two preseason games after finishing near the bottom of the NFL in takeaways during the 2025 season.

Those are preseason numbers, but the aggressive approach is worth watching. Washington’s starting defense showed more speed around the football and more willingness to attack than it often displayed a year ago.

The interception also provided Jayden Daniels with favorable field position for his first game action of the preseason.

Daniels’ appearance was extremely brief.

He threw incomplete on first down and was sacked by D.J. Wonnum for a 10-yard loss on second down. Kyle Allen then broke an 11-yard run, but Washington was forced to punt.

Daniels finished 0-for-1 passing and did not get enough snaps to make any meaningful conclusions about the starting offense.

Detroit responded with its best drive of the first half.

Starting at its own 10, the Lions traveled 90 yards in seven plays. Dobbs completed passes of four and 17 yards to Caleb Wilson before using his legs to change the game.

Facing third-and-3 from midfield, Dobbs escaped and raced down the left side for a 50-yard touchdown. Jake Bates converted the extra point, tying the game 7-7 with 6:38 remaining in the first quarter.

The long run was Washington’s first major defensive mistake after a dominant opening.

The Commanders had appeared in complete control after forcing turnovers on Detroit’s first two possessions, but the Lions answered with one explosive play and erased the advantage.

Washington then began working Sam Hartman and other reserves into the game. The Commanders were able to move the chains on the ground, with Kyle Allen handling much of the early rushing workload, but penalties and negative plays prevented Washington from establishing another scoring threat before the quarter ended.

End of first quarter: Washington 7, Detroit 7

Second Quarter: Defenses Take Control

The second quarter belonged almost entirely to the defenses.

Washington and Detroit combined for no points, and neither offense could sustain a drive long enough to take control of the game.

Hartman handled much of Washington’s quarterback work during the period while the Commanders continued evaluating their reserve skill-position players and offensive linemen.

Washington was able to complete short passes and occasionally move the sticks, but the offense lacked explosive plays. Detroit’s pass rush also created pressure, while penalties repeatedly put the Commanders behind schedule.

That became one of Washington’s biggest issues throughout the afternoon.

The Commanders finished the game with 11 penalties for 84 yards. Several of those came on offense or special teams and either erased favorable situations or created longer down-and-distance opportunities.

Detroit had an opportunity to break the tie late in the second quarter.

Bates attempted a 55-yard field goal, but the kick missed wide right.

Washington escaped the half still tied despite generating very little offensively after its opening defensive touchdown.

The first-half story was unquestionably the defense.

Washington’s starters and primary reserves produced pressure, forced Dobbs into two turnovers and made Detroit work for almost everything outside of the quarterback’s 50-yard touchdown run.

Washington’s defense was also accomplishing that without several notable contributors.

The Commanders held out 15 players, including Rachaad White, Marcus Mariota, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Trey Amos, Jeremy McNichols, K’Lavon Chaisson, Jordan Magee, Nick Allegretti, Laremy Tunsil, Deatrich Wise Jr., Dorance Armstrong, Daron Payne, Jer’Zhan Newton, Tim Settle and Odafe Oweh.

Newton recently underwent surgery for a pectoral injury and is expected to miss significant time, while Oweh has been dealing with a calf strain and Chaisson has been recovering from a knee issue.

That made Washington’s defensive showing even more encouraging.

Halftime: Washington 7, Detroit 7

Third Quarter: Kaliakmanis Pushes Washington Ahead

The third quarter gave Washington its best sustained offensive stretch.

Athan Kaliakmanis took advantage of his opportunities and continued making his case for a roster spot.

The rookie quarterback looked poised in the pocket and showed a willingness to attack farther down the field than Washington had during much of the first half.

Kaliakmanis connected with Jaden Bradley for a 30-yard completion during a strong Washington possession. Bradley made an impressive one-handed reception near the sideline, giving the Commanders one of their biggest offensive plays to that point.

Washington eventually moved inside the Detroit 10 but again could not reach the end zone.

Stevens came on and connected from 27 yards with 8:45 remaining in the third quarter, giving Washington a 10-7 lead.

The drive covered 11 plays and finally gave the Commanders’ offense points, although settling for three instead of seven would become important later.

Kaliakmanis was one of Washington’s biggest offensive positives.

He finished 11-of-14 passing for 162 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Hartman completed nine of 11 passes for 67 yards, while Daniels finished 0-for-1.

Kaliakmanis’ completion percentage and explosive throws stood out, particularly because Washington’s running game struggled.

Kyle Allen led Washington with only 30 rushing yards on 10 carries. Hartman added six yards, while Chris Rodriguez and Robert Henry were unable to create much room against Detroit’s front.

The Lions eventually answered.

Detroit put together a seven-play possession late in the quarter and pushed deep into Washington territory.

Trayveon Williams carried the ball to the Washington 1-yard line with 50 seconds remaining. Two plays later, Williams powered straight up the middle for a one-yard touchdown with nine seconds left in the quarter.

Bates added the extra point, and Detroit took its first lead of the afternoon at 14-10.

That drive changed the momentum.

Washington had controlled much of the afternoon defensively and had just moved ahead, but Detroit’s touchdown forced the Commanders to chase points in the fourth quarter.

End of third quarter: Detroit 14, Washington 10

Fourth Quarter: Big Kaliakmanis Throw Gives Washington Hope

Washington opened the fourth quarter with its biggest offensive play of the game.

On the first snap of the quarter, Kaliakmanis dropped back from the Washington 25 and connected deep down the right side with Nick Nash for 55 yards.

The play immediately moved Washington to the Detroit 20 and put the Commanders in position to regain the lead.

It was exactly the type of explosive play coaches want to see from a quarterback fighting for a roster spot.

Once again, however, Washington could not finish the drive with a touchdown.

A negative run, a delay-of-game penalty and Detroit’s defense forced the Commanders backward. Kaliakmanis completed passes to Nash and Jaylin Jones, but Washington stalled at the Detroit 14.

Stevens made a 32-yard field goal with 12:02 remaining, cutting Detroit’s lead to 14-13.

That possession summarized Washington’s offensive day.

The Commanders created a huge play, entered the red zone and had an opportunity to take control, but they walked away with only three points.

Washington eventually forced Detroit to punt and received another opportunity with a chance to take the lead.

Hartman returned at quarterback, but the Commanders could not sustain the possession. Facing fourth-and-2 from their own 40 with 6:47 remaining, Hartman threw incomplete to Chris Rodriguez, turning the ball over on downs.

That gave Detroit excellent field position.

Washington’s defense did its best to limit the damage.

Michael Hurst sacked Lions quarterback Luke Altmyer for a nine-yard loss, but Altmyer responded by completing a 16-yard pass to Malcolm Cunningham.

Detroit eventually worked the ball inside the Washington 20.

The Commanders kept the Lions out of the end zone, but Bates converted a 37-yard field goal with 2:26 remaining to extend Detroit’s lead to 17-13.

Washington still had time.

A touchdown would have won the game.

The Commanders never got the opportunity.

On the ensuing kickoff, Robert Henry returned the ball to the Washington 26. Jackson Meeks forced the ball loose, and Detroit’s Erick Hunter recovered the fumble at the Washington 25.

Detroit took possession with 2:15 remaining and ran out the clock.

For Washington, it was a frustrating ending to a game in which the Commanders had opportunities to win despite scoring no offensive touchdowns.

Final: Detroit 17, Washington 13

Kaliakmanis Continues Strong Push

Kaliakmanis was probably Washington’s most interesting offensive player Saturday.

His final line of 11 completions on 14 attempts for 162 yards translates to nearly 11.6 yards per attempt.

He did not throw a touchdown, but two of Washington’s most memorable offensive plays came from his arm: the 30-yard completion to Bradley and the 55-yarder to Nash.

The quarterback competition behind Daniels and Mariota remains worth monitoring.

Hartman was efficient statistically, completing nine of 11 passes, but Kaliakmanis generated more explosive plays.

For a player fighting for a roster position, that matters.

Washington’s final preseason game against Baltimore could go a long way toward determining whether the Commanders keep three quarterbacks and, if so, who gets the job.

Offense Must Finish Drives

Washington’s biggest concern Saturday was simple: the offense did not score a touchdown.

The Commanders’ only touchdown came from Josephs’ fumble recovery.

Washington’s other six points came from Stevens’ two field goals.

The Commanders had opportunities.

They reached scoring territory during both of their second-half scoring possessions but finished them with kicks. Washington officially finished 0-for-2 in the red zone.

In a four-point game, turning even one of those field goals into a touchdown likely changes the outcome.

Penalties also made the offense’s job more difficult.

Washington’s 11 penalties for 84 yards were far too many, even for a preseason game featuring different combinations of reserves and young players.

That will be one of the easiest coaching points for Dan Quinn heading into the preseason finale.

Defensive Front Shows Encouraging Depth

Washington may have lost, but the defense gave the coaching staff several reasons for optimism.

The Commanders finished with five sacks and forced two turnovers.

Robertson made an immediate impact against his former team, forcing the fumble that Josephs recovered for a touchdown.

Quan Martin continued an impressive preseason by recording another interception.

Washington’s official team site described the starting defense as fast, physical and versatile, and that showed during the opening possessions.

The Commanders were particularly aggressive with pressure packages.

Robertson’s blitz was a perfect example. Instead of simply sitting back during an exhibition game, Washington attacked Dobbs and created points directly from its pass rush.

That is exactly the type of disruptive football Washington hopes to carry into the regular season.

Turnover Improvement Is Worth Watching

Washington’s six forced turnovers through two preseason games are one of the more encouraging developments of August.

The Commanders struggled badly in that category last season, finishing near the bottom of the league.

Creating turnovers is sometimes unpredictable from year to year, but Washington has clearly emphasized getting more players around the football and attacking the ball when opportunities arise.

Robertson did it with pressure.

Martin did it with anticipation in coverage.

Josephs was in position to capitalize when the ball came loose.

Those are encouraging habits regardless of whether the games count in the standings.

The Numbers

Detroit finished with 279 total yards compared with Washington’s 243.

The Lions held the ball for 32:42 compared with 27:18 for Washington.

Washington’s quarterback numbers were efficient overall:

• Athan Kaliakmanis: 11-of-14, 162 yards
• Sam Hartman: 9-of-11, 67 yards
• Jayden Daniels: 0-of-1

Washington struggled much more on the ground.

Kyle Allen led the team with 30 yards on 10 carries. No other Washington player reached double digits rushing.

The lack of rushing production contributed to Washington’s problems sustaining drives and finishing in short-yardage situations.

Detroit quarterback Josh Dobbs’ biggest contribution came on the ground as well, with his 50-yard touchdown run tying the game in the first quarter.

MSB Take

Preseason wins and losses should never be overvalued, especially when teams are constantly changing personnel and trying to evaluate the bottom half of the roster.

There were still some clear takeaways from Washington’s 17-13 loss.

The defense was the biggest positive.

Washington came out attacking, created two turnovers immediately and scored the team’s only touchdown. Even without several important defenders, the Commanders showed depth and produced five sacks.

The offense was more uneven.

Kaliakmanis had an encouraging afternoon and made two impressive downfield throws, but Washington could not turn those plays into touchdowns. The Commanders cannot expect the defense to score for them every week.

The penalties also have to be cleaned up. Eleven penalties for 84 yards will make it difficult to beat anyone once the regular season begins.

Washington had more than enough chances to win this game. The Commanders led in the second half, twice drove into scoring position after halftime and had possession down one point in the fourth quarter.

They simply did not finish.

For a preseason game, that creates a useful list of things to correct without taking away from some genuinely promising performances.

Up Next: Battle of the Beltways

Washington will finish the preseason Friday, Aug. 28 against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Before the game, Washington will travel to Owings Mills for a joint practice with Baltimore. That session could be particularly important for Washington’s starters if Quinn decides to limit their snaps during the actual preseason finale.

For the players fighting for roster spots, however, the Ravens game will be critical.

Kaliakmanis, Hartman, young receivers, reserve offensive linemen and several defensive players will have one final game opportunity to strengthen their cases before roster decisions arrive.

Final Score: Detroit Lions 17, Washington Commanders 13

Quarter-by-quarter:
Washington: 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 — 13
Detroit: 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 — 17