5. Special teams did their job.
Quinn has often referred to the special teams unit as the Commanders’ “flagship,” and it was clear why they earned that title on Sunday.
The Commanders’ primary returners — McCaffrey, Samuel and rookie Jaylin Lane — accounted for a total of 245 yards on eight touches (for context, that was more than the Raiders had in total offensive yards until the fourth quarter). Samuel started the game off with a 69-yard kickoff return, which the offense used to score the opening touchdown five plays later, and had McCaffrey not slipped on his 25-yard return, they could have had another sizable gain later in the second half.
The biggest moment came from Lane, who fielded a punt at the 10-yard line and cut through the middle of the Raiders’ coverage for a 90-yard touchdown. It was the first punt return touchdown for the franchise since 2016 and tied for the longest punt return in franchise history.
“All I told them [his blockers] was that I just need one lane and I’ll make the rest happen, and that’s what they did for me,” Lane said.
It was the first time so far this season that the Commanders won in all three phases of the game, and if Sunday’s game is any indication, they can be difficult to stop when playing that effectively.