How Commanders Can Learn From Their Opponent's Loss

The Washington Commanders won their Week 1 matchup, but they could have just as easily lost. While the Arizona Cardinals carry the 'L' home with them, both teams should be carrying a very valuable lesson.

LANDOVER, Md. -- One quarterback in the Week 1 matchup between the Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals won, and the other lost. 

Typically, that's how it goes, and fortunately for the Commanders, theirs is the one who came out on top.

Unfortunately for Washington, its quarterback, Sam Howell, also came out on the short end of the quarterback rating scale with an interception thrown and a lost fumble. 

While the lost fumble doesn't impact quarterback ratings, it sure impacted the pace of the game and had the Commanders on the verge of losing a game they were touchdown favorites in entering the weekend.

There is a lesson for both teams to learn buried in those ratings, and one Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon spoke about following his first loss.

"We've got to make sure the timing of the passing game is on time, the rhythm is there. It's got to be clean for the quarterback," Gannon said. "And then we've got to get it out of our hands a little bit quicker."

Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports

Both coaches believe their offensive lines did a relatively good job of protecting their quarterbacks and providing the time needed to make plays.

If you're stat-scouting, that fact might surprise you given that Washington sacked Arizona quarterback Joshua Dobbs three times and harassed him all game.

On the other side, the Cardinals got to Howell six times with linebacker Dennis Gardeck getting two.

The second of those sacks produced a fumble by Howell that was scooped up by linebacker Cameron Thomas for a touchdown that gave Arizona a 13-7 lead.

That lead didn't stand, because while the Commanders got the worst from Sunday's quarterback battle, they also got the best with Howell throwing for a score and running for another.

The second touchdown of the game for Howell turned out to be the game-winner, and it was a moment that allowed the first-year starter to release some of the stress that had been building throughout the day.

"It was a tough game," Howell said. "A lot of ups and downs. It felt like getting into the end zone to get some points and take the lead was definitely a cool moment."

On top of that, there will be plenty of teaching moments coming. All in an effort to make sure Week 1's struggles don't become Week 2's.