5. A win is a win, even in the preseason.
It’s wild to think about, but the preseason win over the Dolphins was the Commanders’ first at Northwest Stadium since Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. That’s a long time between wins, and their frustrating home record was one of many disappointing things about last season.
But a win is a win, even in the preseason, and the Commanders needed something to feel good about heading into the season.
The preseason might not matter, but it is important. The Commanders had several new parts on the field against the Dolphins, from new players to different schemes. They created some confidence during the joint practice earlier in the week, but Friday’s game remained a critical measuring stick in the team’s progress.
While it wasn’t a perfect night from either side of the ball, it was a solid debut for the Commanders’ new direction as they try to bounce back from last season. They did what they were supposed to do, and it’s a nice change from last year’s preseason opener, when they struggled against the New England Patriots.
There’s still work to be done, but it was a nice start.