This Washington Commanders rookie only needed 'one lane' to score
Coming out of the halftime locker room with a 10-point lead, the Washington Commanders felt good about where they were, but there was a sweeping feeling across the stadium that they should have been up by more.
Looking for an early edge in the second half, the Commanders’ defense forced a three-and-out and a Las Vegas Raiders’ punt that went out of bounds, unreturnable by rookie receiver Jaylin Lane.
It was a good start, but the offense didn’t turn it into points. Instead, after their own three-and-out, the Washington offense punted the ball back.
Being a stubborn unit can be good when it is a positive stubbornness, and the defense once again forced the Raiders’ offense off the field quickly, only this time, punter Jacob Bobenmoyer made a critical mistake by giving Lane a chance to return the kick.
90 yards later, Lane and his teammates were celebrating the rookie’s first career touchdown, and a three-score lead.
Washington Commanders wide receiver Jaylin Lane (83). / Amber Searls-Imagn Images
"First off, just glory to God, but it's really just my teammates,” Lane said of the return. “They work their tails off blocking for me, speaking life into me. They give me all the confidence in the world back there. All I told them was that I just need one lane and I'll make the rest happen, and that's what they did for me.”
It was his first return touchdown in the NFL, but he’s done this before. Just last year for the Virginia Tech Hokies, in fact, he was producing as a return specialist. That production is just one of the things that made him a draft target of general manager Adam Peters in April.
The best part might be that not only did Lane find the gear necessary to house that punt, but he says he could’ve done it again if he needed to right after that one.
“The adrenaline getting into the box. I could run out and do it again as soon as it's over. You don't get winded after that," he said.
Speaking even further about his team, following their decisive victory over Las Vegas, the rookie said, "I think it's amazing. I think it goes towards the standards we set with our whole team. We believe in complementary football, especially on special teams and just setting up the offense to score. It started with [WR] Deebo [Samuel Sr.] on a big return, and we fed off that energy and kept it going."
Jerry Jones Sends Bold Message After Loss: 'This Doesn’t Define Us—Playoffs Are Still Within Reach!'
After a tough loss to the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones made it clear that the defeat would not define his team’s season. Speaking to the media, Jones reflected on the challenges the team faced in Week 3 but emphasized that the road to the playoffs is still very much open. His statement echoed a belief in the resilience of his team and their ability to bounce back stronger.
"This loss stings, but it doesn’t define us," Jones said. "I’ve seen what this team is capable of when we play at our best. We have the talent, the leadership, and the resolve to push through any challenge. The playoffs are still within reach, and I have no doubt we’ll find our rhythm and get back on track. We've been in tough spots before, and this team knows how to fight back."
Jones’ words were a reminder of the high expectations the Cowboys carry into the 2025 season. While the loss to the Bears stung, Jones remains unwavering in his belief that the team has the depth, leadership, and determination to turn things around. He’s witnessed firsthand the potential this roster has, and he’s confident that the team’s strong foundation will allow them to rebound quickly.
The Cowboys have a wealth of talent, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and defensive stalwarts like Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs. However, consistency has been a challenge. The team's early-season struggles have highlighted areas of improvement, but Jones remains optimistic that they will find their rhythm and hit their stride as the season progresses.
With a tough schedule ahead, including matchups against the Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs, the Cowboys are fully aware of the road ahead. Jones’ belief in his team’s ability to bounce back and push forward is more than just lip service—it’s a call to action for every player on the roster to dig deep and rediscover their best form.
"This is about staying together and trusting the process," Jones added. "We’ve been through adversity before, and this group knows how to respond. I have no doubt that we’ll be back in the hunt for the playoffs. We just need to get back to playing Cowboy football."
As the Cowboys prepare for their next games, all eyes will be on how they respond to Jones' rallying cry. With a team full of talent and a coach like Mike McCarthy leading the way, the Commanders are ready to see if they can indeed turn the page and get back to championship contention.
