Commanders lean on backfield duo of Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler to squeeze by Giants

LANDOVER, Md. — A mystery man saved the Washington Commanders after two known commodities battled for every inch on the field.

Some honest players acknowledged they didn’t know Austin Seibert’s name, even after the recently signed kicker’s 30-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in Sunday’s 21-18 victory over the New York Giants. Nor had they imagined an opening home game with seven field goals — a franchise record — and zero touchdowns.

“Ideally, we don’t ever win this way again,” running back Austin Ekeler said, “and we actually get in the end zone.”

Regarding how this offense will succeed this season, at least until rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels finds his rhythm or the group stops with the pre-snap penalties, no riddle needs solving. Feed the backfield tandem of Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. Those two ate plenty between red zone blunders — five false-start penalties and zero touchdowns on six trips inside New York’s 20 — and Daniels facing pass-rush pressure.

The power-packed Robinson set a career high with 133 yards on 17 carries, and Ekeler had 85 yards from scrimmage as the Commanders (1-1) snapped a nine-game losing streak overall and won their first home game in over a calendar year.

“You said it best right there. Record that,” Ekeler said postgame when asked about the running back dynamic. “Because that’s exactly what it was. … We’re playing how the game comes to us. He’s a playmaker. I get on the field, and it’s the same thing.”

The duo had three of Washington’s longest plays from scrimmage, including Robinson’s personal-best 40-yard run after a 32-yard scamper.

“I told everyone me and Austin are going to complement each other very well,” Robinson said.

OVER 100 FOR @BrianR_4

📺 #NYGvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/KLKFwOWxgZ

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 15, 2024

The run game aids any quarterback, but perhaps those playing their second career game a bit more. Daniels efficiently passed for 226 yards, completing 23 of 29 attempts, and rushed for 44 yards on 10 carries.

The No. 2 pick in April’s draft maintained composure even as the Giants (0-2) took an 18-15 lead with 11:32 remaining on a Daniel Jones 7-yard touchdown pass to Wan’Dale Robinson. Scoring drives of 45 and 65 yards followed. Daniels’ 34-yard completion to wide receiver Noah Brown coming out of the two-minute warning on the final possession moved the ball into New York’s territory.

“I feel blessed,” the rookie said following his first career NFL win. “It wasn’t the prettiest game. … A win is a win.”

Daniels was sacked five times and had to leave the game for one play in the first half after taking a hit to his side on a scramble. He also had a 10-yard jaunt to New York’s 14 with 51 seconds left.

Two plays later, Seibert delivered walk-off magic. Though new to these parts, the Belleview, Illinois, native has historical ties thanks to his agent with a familiar name, Dave Butz Jr.

The late Dave Sr., a two-time Super Bowl champion, is part of Washington’s lore. Seibert’s moment was celebrated by teammates lifting the new guy over their shoulders at the first game played under the Northwest Stadium name.

WELCOME TO D.C, AUSTIN SEIBERT!

Next up: #CINvsWAS on ESPN next week pic.twitter.com/JMydJrFgeZ

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 15, 2024

The players might have felt symbiotic muscle support from the sellout crowd of 61,841, many of whom suffered during the once-dominant franchise’s yearslong decline.

“I was really pumped for the fans here,” first-year Washington head coach Dan Quinn said. “I felt them. I heard it.”

Expect another loud week of questions about whether the slender quarterback absorbs too much contact. Daniels had the “wind knocked out of him,” Quinn said. As for the hits, “It’s obviously going to be a story that we’re gonna keep working through,” Quinn continued. “We don’t want the hits.”

Robinson and Ekeler don’t subscribe to such thinking with their roles. Though not similar based on style and measurables, the 6-foot-1, 228-pound Robinson and 5-foot-9 Ekeler are physical runners, threats as receivers and dogged in competition.

While leaning on the two backs, the Commanders dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 37:32.

“On third down, we were pretty efficient,” Ekeler said. “That kept us on the field and allowed us to make plays.”

Ekeler knows he and Robinson are “expected” to make plays for an offense lacking difference-makers. Signed as a free agent this offseason after a disappointing 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers, he has shown in two games that reports of his demise were exaggerated.

Part of Washington’s return game, Ekeler took back the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, only to see the play erased by the first of the Commanders’ 10 penalties.

Asked for his emoji of choice upon seeing officials calling a holding penalty on teammate Nick Bellore, “Emoji smile, but it’s got a tear,” Ekeler said playfully. “Cause, yeah, it was good, but, aw, come on.”

That sentiment nearly summarized Washington’s showing if not for Seibert’s kicking prowess.

The Commanders accumulated 425 net yards, converted half of their 14 third-down attempts and scored on each of their seven total possessions. Rookie tight end Ben Sinnott’s false start occurred with Washington facing fourth-and-1 from New York’s 4-yard line on the opening possession. Two more came on the Commanders’ penultimate drive.

“Luckily, those are things we can control … emphasize in practice,” Ekeler said. “We can’t be doing this to ourselves, especially in the red zone.”

The defense did barely enough in the win despite playing shorthanded at cornerback, an already weak position group, and generating one sack. Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste forced a fumble for the game’s only turnover. Washington also let the Giants drive to its 22-yard line late in the fourth quarter. With kicker Graham Gano out with an injury suffered on the opening possession, the Giants skipped any field goal attempts after punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra point following Devin Singletary’s 7-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

On fourth-and-4 with 2:09 remaining, Jones’ 18th target to rookie Malik Nabers (10 catches, 127 yards and a touchdown) fell through the hands of Daniels’ top target at LSU. Minutes later, New York became the first team in NFL history to score at least three touchdowns, not allow one and lose. Jones, a noted Washington killer, had 178 yards and two touchdown passes while completing 16 of 28 attempts.

But when the penalties mount, wide receiver Terry McLaurin is quiet (22 yards on six receptions), the kicker isn’t channeling Mark Moseley, the defense isn’t fortunate and Daniels hasn’t risen to save-the-day status, the offense can turn to Robinson and Ekeler.

“You all saw them today,” Daniels said.

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Robinson thrived on a heavier workload in the second 100-yard rushing game of his career. He is excited to see what he and Ekeler can conjure up in the future.

“We’re figuring out how to play with each other, be the tandem we want to be,” Robinson said. “Two games in, and we’ve given guys a great idea of what we’re going to be.”

That statement could easily apply to a roster with over 50 percent turnover since last season, a potential long-term quarterback answer and new decision-makers overseeing it all. For now, steps away from the home locker room that hadn’t witnessed a celebration since a 20-16 win over Arizona on Sept. 10, 2023, Robinson spoke only for the offense’s current strength.

“There is so much more to come.”

(Photo: Greg Fiume / Getty Images)