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Commanders' Luke McCaffrey strikes early vs. Falcons

Washington Commanders wideout Luke McCaffrey scores first to give the team life in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons.
Darius Hayes|
Sep 21, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey (11) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey (11) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

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Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders are getting a boost from their wide receivers with Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown sidelined with injuries.

Luke McCaffrey found the end zone hauling in a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marcus Mariota.

The score cut the Falcons’ lead to 10-7 with 11:22 remaining in the second quarter and gave Washington some much-needed momentum.

READ MORE: Commanders DC opens up about upcoming matchup against Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.

McCaffrey’s Big Moment

For McCaffrey, the touchdown was a huge moment. The wideout has quietly been carving out a role in the Commanders’ offense, and this score showed why coaches are high on him. Running a sharp route inside the red zone, McCaffrey gave Mariota a clean window and secured the catch in traffic for six points.

It’s a small sample, but McCaffrey has proven early that he can be more than just depth on the roster. His ability to move around in the formation and make himself available has been valuable for Mariota, who is starting his second straight game with Jayden Daniels still sidelined.

Red zone efficiency has been an area Washington has wanted to improve, and getting contributions from a young receiver like McCaffrey is a step in the right direction.

What It Means for Washington

The Commanders have been forced to adjust without McLaurin, who remains out with a quad injury, and Noah Brown also sidelined. That has put more responsibility on Deebo Samuel and Jaylin Lane, but now McCaffrey has added himself to the list of players the offense can rely on.

Lane has already made his mark on special teams, and Samuel’s versatility continues to be a factor, but having another target emerging in the passing game is huge for Washington’s balance. With Mariota looking comfortable against his former team, the Commanders’ offense showed it can still generate playmaking even while short-handed.

McCaffrey’s touchdown may only be one play in a long game, but it represented something bigger: growth. If Washington can keep getting production from its young receivers, it will help them stay competitive in the NFC while waiting for their stars to return.

READ MORE: How to watch Commanders vs. Falcons: TV channel, livestream, kickoff time

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2025 season.

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Darius Hayes
DARIUS HAYES

Darius Hayes is a writer and contributor for 2 On SI sites, where he covers multiple teams as well as the Atlanta Braves. His work reflects his passion for sports, especially as a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan. Hayes grew up in Trenton, N.J., and now resides in Atlanta, Ga. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and his Master’s in Communications from Georgia State University. In addition to journalism, Hayes serves in the Georgia Army National Guard. He can be followed on Twitter @dariushayes55.

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