The 2026 preseason slate kicked off for the Detroit Lions at Ford Field with an absolute bang, but it was the Washington Commanders who struck first, less than a minute into the game. It was a disastrous start for Detroit, setting a wild tone immediately for what was supposed to be the most entertaining and telling preseason game on their exhibition slate.
Dobbs’ Early Nightmare: Two Drives, Two Turnovers
Talk about a gut punch to kick off the preseason! The Lions got the ball first after the Commanders won the toss and deferred, but their offense absolutely imploded right out of the gate. On only the second snap from scrimmage, quarterback Josh Dobbs held onto the ball way too long. Boom! A blitzing Amik Robertson crushed him for a strip sack. Washington scooped it up right there in the end zone for a touchdown. Just like that, 7-0 Commanders, and the game hadn’t even been going for a full minute. Unbelievable, right?
You’d think they’d settle down after that, but nope. Dobbs was back at it on the very next drive. They managed a first down, sure, but then on a crucial third down, Dobbs made another critical mistake. He couldn’t find anyone open, tried to scramble right, and then threw a pass across his body. Bad idea. Commanders safety Quan Martin was all over it, picking him off cold. That’s two drives, two turnovers, both on Dobbs. If you’re looking for early hints about the 2026 Lions’ potential, those first two drives sure didn’t look pretty.
Defense Steps Up, But an Injury Looms
Thankfully, the Lions’ starting defense, even without Aidan Hutchinson and Jack Campbell, stepped up big time to keep things from completely spiraling. Devin White brought the heat, forcing an incomplete pass on first down. Then, D.J. Wonnum came roaring in for a huge sack on second down. Washington couldn’t recover from that; they ran a draw on third-and-20 and had to punt. The defense showed some real teeth, shutting down the Commanders after those quick scores.
Getting the ball back deep in their own territory, Dobbs finally seemed to shake off the early jitters and settled in nicely. He threaded a tight pass to Cedrick Wilson for a crucial 17-yard gain on third-and-5, keeping that drive alive. Big play, exactly what they needed. But man, the injury bug hit right after that. Cedrick Wilson went down on that same drive and didn’t return. Talk about a tough break for a guy trying to solidify his spot with roster cuts next week.
Roster Decisions Are Heating Up
This game, even as just a preseason opener, is absolutely massive. With teams cutting down to 53 players next week, every single snap counts, every mistake, every big play. Those early turnovers from Dobbs? They loom large for his evaluation. That defensive stand? Crucial for those defenders. And now, the huge question mark around Wilson’s injury? These are the moments that shape a roster, determining who makes the cut. It’s not just about the final score; it’s about making the team, and coaches are absolutely taking notes on everything.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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