Deebo Samuel sets the record straight and reminded everyone exactly who he is with an explosive debut for the Commanders
What a surprise, Deebo Samuel is still a game changer, and the Washington Commanders stole him for just a fifth-round pick this offseason. His presence was felt in many ways in his debut with the Commanders, which resulted in a 21-6 win at home.
It only took one game to see how the team would use Samuel, and buckle up for a big season from him on offense and special teams as well.
Welcome to Washington, Deebo Samuel
All offseason, quarterback Jayden Daniels got to spend all the time in the world with Deebo Samuel as Terry McLaurin sat out waiting for his new contract, and the time spent together instantly paid off. Samuel started the game as a kick returner on special teams and had two returns for a total of 50 yards. His biggest impact, however, was felt on offense, and in more ways than one.
Samuel looked like his classic self, which is what the Commanders were hoping to get, and a healthy Samuel will be a huge piece of this offense all season long. We wondered just how much Samuel would be used on offense, and where he would fit, and we found out that anything is possible with him on offense.
Sep 7, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22) during the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium. © Peter Casey-Imagn Images
We saw Samuel become the top target for Daniels by a very wide margin and finished as the leading receiver with seven catches for 77 yards. He also led with 10 targets, which was double what Ertz had as the second-most-targeted player. Terry McLaurin only had four targets in his first game back, showing once again how valuable the time Daniels had with Samuel was, and it translated to Week 1.
Daniels showed that he trusts Samuel, and we should expect more of this connection throughout the season, especially while McLaurin knocks the rust off on the field. Samuel spoke after the game about his connection with Daniels.
"I didn't know what it was going to look like, to be honest," Samuel said. "Just getting here, but as the flow kept going throughout OTAs and camp, how well we were connecting, we just started to build chemistry, and we just showed it today.”
Play of the game
The Commanders' offense stalled out for a long time and seemed to be stuck at 14 points, which kept the Giants in the game. That was until Samuel made the play of the game to put the game on ice and calm the nerves of everyone watching. He was only used once in the run game, but that's all it took for him to have a highlight reel play.
Samuel went in motion and took an end-around from Daniels, which led to him fighting through tackles and full-body extending to the endzone for a huge, much-needed touchdown.
Expect a heavy dose of a classic Samuel this season as he led the team in targets and receiving yards, all while scoring a game-sealing touchdown on the ground in the run game. Kliff Kingsbury has a real weapon on offense, and he's going to let Samuel flourish with the Commanders this year.
Packers Star Xavier McKinney Unfazed by Controversial Taunting Flag Against Lions
Early in the second quarter of Sunday’s showdown with the Lions in Green Bay, Packers star safety Xavier McKinney did something so many players in the history of the league have done before him. He blocked an opponent to the ground, and subsequently stood over him.
The opponent was Kalif Raymond, and neither he nor McKinney was involved in the play, which saw Kiesean Nixon push lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs out of bounds. But as Raymond got up to engage in a minor confrontation with McKinney, something odd happened. A flag came in and McKinney was whistled for a 15-yard penalty on a pretty innocuous play.
The play was was unusual to say the least, and met with much disdain by fans on social media. but it is part of the new “respect for opponents” emphasis the league has enacted this season. It didn’t hurt the Packers in their 27-13 drubbing of the Lions, but it could have.
Xavier McKinney ‘Probably’ Did Taunt
McKinney admitted after the game that he did stand over Raymond, and did not seem too concerned about it. The Lions ended up with a field goal on the drive.
“I probably did,” McKinney said when asked about standing over Raymond. “But hey, it is what it is. I had to set the tone not just for our team but for our defense of how we want to play. I’ll take the flag, I’ll live with it, it’s all right.”
LaFleur was livid with the officiating crew when the play unfolded. After the game, he was being diplomatic but clearly disagreed with the call. When he was first asked what he saw on the play, he shot back at a reporter, “What did you see?”
But he went on: “Worst case scenario, they should’ve been offsetting (penalties). But they saw it differently.”
Packers Known They Must Keep Composure
Still, the league has made plain its attempts to clean up unsportsmanlike behavior on the field, and even sent a memo to each team to hammer home the point last month. LaFleur said his team is aware of the point of emphasis.
“We’ll definitely address that again. We can’t do that,” LaFleur said. ‘We’ve got to be better than that. Football is an emotional game, and I understand. I love these guys getting excited about playing. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on on the field, but you’ve got to keep your composure and your poise, especially when you’re playing a really good football team.”
McKinney added: “Going forward, I’m going to toe the line. If I get a flag, I’ll learn from it, but I’m going to toe that line. Obviously, I’m a smart player so I understand when I can and can’t do it, but this type of game, I had to set the tone and that’s just what it was. And we’ll live with it.”
