Live In-Game Updates: Commanders Seal 28-22 Win Over Jags with Late Interception
The first Sunday of the 2022 NFL season is here!
And for the Washington Commanders, it's the first official regular-season game under a new name and logo, as the team is set for a home bout with the up-and-coming Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at FedEx Field.
The Commanders head into this season with a new quarterback at the helm, as former Philadelphia Eagle and one-time Indianapolis Colts signal-caller Carson Wentz preps for his Washington debut.
He'll be joined by top offensive weapons like receiver Terry McLaurin and running back Antonio Gibson, who are set to be primary play-makers for the Washington offense. Rookie receiver Jahan Dotson is also a key player to keep an eye on.
Commanders coach Ron Rivera begins his third season with the franchise after a 7-10 finish in 2021.
The Jaguars, who finished with a 3-14 record last season, the worst in the league, now enter 2022 under new coach Doug Pederson.
His debut as Jacksonville's head coach should be an interesting one, as he'll be facing Wentz, his former quarterback in Philadelphia. The two won a Super Bowl together in the 2017 season, though Nick Foles stole the show with an MVP performance as Wentz rehabbed a torn ACL on the bench.
Follow along with CommandersCountry.com as we'll be providing live game updates as well as in-game breaking news.
The Jaguars will receive the opening kickoff and will begin at their own 25-yard line after a touchback.
FIRST QUARTER
The first play of Washington's season begins with a penalty against the Commanders' secondary followed by a flag on there Jags on the second play.
Another flag was called on Washington, but was declined after Lawrence completed a 25-yard pass to Christian Kirk.
Jacksonville running back James Robinson rushed for 22 yards a few plays later.
FIELD GOAL JAGS: The Washington defense held strong in the red zone, forcing an early 33-yard field goal from Jags kicker Riley Patterson. Jacksonville takes a 3-0 lead.
change of possession
The Commanders will start their first offensive drive of the season at their own 26-yard line.
Wentz's first attempt is a bit high and juggled by Dotson, resulting in an incompletion.
Wentz slings a pass to Curtis Samuel for a 13-yard gain on 3rd and 5.
Antonio Gibson finds himself open on the right sideline, as Wentz finds him for a 26-yard gain.
TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS: Wentz darts a pass toward the right pylon to Samuel, who squeaks in for a three-yard score. Washington takes a 7-3 lead.
change of possession
Jags receiver Zay Jones catches a five-yard pass on second down, brining up a 3rd and 5. Lawrence found Jones again for a seven-yard gain for the third-down conversion.
But the drive stalled, as the Jags punted it away.
change of possession
The Commanders begin their next at their own 29-yard line after a 13-yard return.
Wentz connects with Samuel for an 11-yard completion, his third catch of the day.
After a big loss by Dotson, Wentz finds Samuel again for a nine-yard gain on second down, bringing up a 3rd and 11. And again, another Wentz throw, another Samuel catch, this time for a 12-yard gain on third down.
END OF FIRST: Commanders 7, Jaguars 3
Wentz strings a pass to McLaurin, who gets his first catch of the day on a nine-yard gain on third down.
The Jags gets hit with a roughing-the-passer penalty, putting Washington inside the 10-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS: Wentz finds Dotson for his first career touchdown on a seven-yard catch. Washington builds a 14-3 lead.
change of possession
After the touchdown, Jacksonville was unable to respond and quickly punted after a three-and-out.
change of possession
But the Commanders had a three-and-out of their own and punted for the first time today.
change of possession
Lawrence is sacked on first down, but the Jags get the yardage back with a 21-yard pass interference penalty.
The Jags had a handful of opportunities to convert at the goal line, but two drops killed any chance of a touchdown, with Travis Etienne dropping the ball on a fourth-and-goal scoring opportunity.
The Commanders get the ball at their own three-yard line after the stop.
change of possession
Gibson gets the Commanders out of the shadow of their own goal line, rushing for 13 yards.
Wentz find JD McKissic and Gibson for two completions, moving the Commanders to their 35-yard line at the two-minute warning.
FUMBLE COMMANDERS: Samuel's big day was halted by a fumble, as the Jags recovered.
With a five straight completions for Lawrence, the Jags found themselves in the red zone after the fumble recovery.
No good! Patterson missed a chip-shot 37-yard field goal, as the Commanders kept a 14-3 lead headed to the locker room.
HALFTIME: Commanders 14, Jaguars 3
THIRD QUARTER
Gibson begins the half with an 11-yard carry. But a sack of Wentz forced the Commanders into a third-and-long situation, which they were unable to covert before being forced to punt.
The Jags begin their next possession at their own 20-yard line.
change of possession
Lawrence connects with Kirk a 49-yard gain before another 12-yard pass to his to his top receiver.
TOUCHDOWN JAGS: After Kirk got them down there, the Jags finally got in. Lawrence found running back James Robinson for three-yard pass for a touchdown to draw closer with Washington at 14-9 after a failed two-point try.
change of possession
The Commanders put together a five-play, 18-yard drive but were stopped right before midfield and punted for the second time in the quarter.
change of possession
The Jags put together an 11-play, 55-yard drive into field-goal range, setting Patterson up for some redemption.
FIELD GOAL JAGS: And Patterson got that redemption with a 43-yard field goal to make it a 14-12 game. The Commanders get the ball back with the lead.
change of possession
END OF THIRD: Commanders 14, Jaguars 12
FOURTH QUARTER
INTERCEPTION JAGS: Wentz, who had a interception overturned by penalty earlier in the drive, targeted Dotson and was intercepted for real this time, as Jags cornerback Tyson Campbell came up with the pick.
FIELD GOAL JAGS: After the turnover, Jacksonville used only six plays and 19 yards to get in position for a 44-yard field goal for Patterson.
change of possession
INTERCEPTION JAGS: On the first play of the next drive, Wentz tossed his second straight interception.
TOUCHDOWN JAGS: The Jags punched in a score one play later, as Robinson got in for the second time of the game.
change of possession
TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS: Wentz didn't waste much time making up for his previous interceptions, as he connects with McLaurin for a 49-yard score to make it a 22-20 lead for the Jags after Washington failed to tie things up on the two-point conversion.
change of possession
The Jags punted after a short five-play drive, booting it to the Washington 10-yard line.
change of possession
TOUCHDOWN COMMANDERS: Rookie hero? Dotson gives the Commanders a late 28-22 lead on a 24-yard touchdown. McKissic converted on the two-point try.
change of possession
INTERCEPTION COMMANDERS: Washington intercepts Lawrence with 1:10 remaining, as Darrick Forrest seals the win for the Commanders after a back-and-forth second half.
FINAL: Commanders 28, Jaguars 22
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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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