Dropping a winnable game against a division opponent is never easy -- especially when many of the issues felt entirely self-inflicted. For the most part, the Commanders' defense played very well in a 24-22 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, keeping the game well within reach from start to finish.

The offense? Not so much.

At halftime, the unit had managed just 99 total yards and nine points, leaving Jayden Daniels searching for any semblance of an offensive rhythm. While the offensive line provided solid protection for the most part, Daniels never truly looked comfortable. He was either forced to move off-platform in a muddied pocket or hold onto the football while waiting for receivers to break free against Vic Fangio's vaunted defense.

It wasn't pretty, and the newly minted David Blough offense left plenty to be desired for large stretches of the afternoon. But is it fixable? Let’s break down the Good, the Bad, and the Next Steps for Washington moving forward.

Despite the early offensive struggles, Jayden Daniels showed remarkable maturity as a pocket passer, protecting his body -- and the bal l-- for most of the afternoon. Facing a heavy dose of coverage-induced pressure where he was hurried on a significant clip of his dropbacks, he took just three sacks.

When the pressure arrived, Daniels stayed disciplined and kept his eyes downfield instead of panicking. He tucked it and ran just 5 times for 31 yards, with zero reckless or forced scrambles. When plays weren't there, he threw the ball away and lived to fight another down. Most importantly, he finished with a clean sheet of zero turnovers. His numbers were pedestrian for three quarters, but his maturity and risk-aversion is precisely what you want out of a young franchise quarterback.

On the ground, Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a major bright spot, churning out 63 yards on 16 carries. He showed dynamic open-field burst and consistently created chunk gains, anchoring a rushing attack that put up 132 team yards against a tough front.

Meanwhile, Antonio Williams was a pleasant surprise on limited action (26 snaps), turning 4 catches into 64 yards and a score. Both he and Stefon Diggs flashed the ability to carve out separation, and that chemistry should only compound as the season rolls on, and they build more chemistry with Daniels. 

The team looked disjointed at times and had too many procedural issues. The offense racked up 3 false start penalties, playing like a unit that lacked extensive reps together over the preseason.

That lack of continuity trickled down to the passing game. Daniels wasn't throwing with true anticipation because he hasn't had extensive live game action, especially against opposing defenses. 

This was clear in how he began the game compared to how he finished it. 

The First-Half Slump: The offense stalled out completely on money downs, finishing a rough 5-for-15 on third down (33.3%) against Fangio's quarters and quarter-match shells.

The Pocket Pressure: Operating out of a compressed space with a sped-up internal clock, Daniels finished the day 18-of-34 for 164 yards and 2 scores through the air.

And while we don't need to dwell on the game-altering two-point conversion, the play-call left a lot to be questioned. In "winning time" moments, you want the ball in the hands of your elite playmakers. Dialing up a look for John Bates felt like a missed opportunity when a bootleg with a run-pass option for Daniels could have put the decision-making directly into the hands of our best playmaker. Daniels is renowned for being an excellent processor and making correct decisions. Why not let your best player make a play?

Before we bury Blough, it's important to have some perspective. This was his first game as an offensive coordinator, and he had to match wits against a Defense Coordinator with 40 years of coaching experience. This is Vic Fangio's third year in Philadelphia, and he is fully aware of the strengths and weaknesses of his unit. There is continuity there. Philadelphia is also loaded with high-end talent at every level—from Jalen Carter up front to cover men like Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the secondary.

The good news? The schedule softens up schematically next week against a Dallas Cowboys defense that looked porous against the Giants, ranking near the bottom in both rush and pass defense.

My advice for Blough? Find the sweet spot. Balance the new playbook elements with the concepts Jayden feels most comfortable executing. Sprinkle in more shotgun and use uptempo pacing to catch a rhythm whenever those "under-center" designs hit a wall. 

Manufacture touches earlier in the game for Terry McLaurin and Diggs, so that they are hot and in rhythm when crunch time comes into play. I anticipate the offense getting better as the team gains chemistry, and things start slowing down with Jayden. 

Right now, my worry scale is sitting at a healthy 6/10—mostly out of profound respect for Fangio's defense. But if this unit looks flat against Dallas next week? Then it's time to hit the alarm.

What are your thoughts on the opener, Commanders fans? Sound off in the comments below!