Postgame Reactions To Commanders 37-20 Loss To Bucs

The Washington Commanders lost their first game of the season on the road Sunday, losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37-20. Following the game, pundits and players all shared their thoughts on the disappointing loss.

Commanders’ insider JP Finlay, from NBC Sports in Washington, cut straight down to the bone with his assessment.

“If the Dotson trade wasn’t enough of a reminder, this Commanders team was real bad last year and has serious work to do before they’re competitive again,” Finlay said. “Management knows this. There are definite questions/problems from this game, but talent-wise, they’re years behind.”

Former Commanders running back and return man Brian Mitchell, who co-hosts a radio show with Finlay on 106.7 The Fan in D.C., was a little softer with his evaluation.

“You can’t expect Daniels to go out there and do everything right,” Mitchell said. “He is a rookie. He is still learning how to play the NFL game. But I think today he passed. He gets another chance to go next week and begin to take another step forward.

No, they are not where we want them to be. But you know what? Nothing ever starts out where you want it to be. You have to work towards it, and I believe they will put in the work.”

Wise words from the Commanders' legend. If we all started where we wanted to be, we would never have any reason to work to get better.

Related: Jayden Daniels' Commanders Debut Ruined By Bucs In 37-20 Loss

Easily the funniest reaction was from Commanders' tight end, Zach Ertz.

“I’m sure a lot of people are down on us after this game,” Ertz said. “But I don’t think anyone is panicking. The only thing this means is we’re not going undefeated. The 72 Miami Dolphins are safe from us…. We have to keep getting better.”

And since we are on quotes, we would be remiss if we didn’t remind the Commanders to be like a goldfish.

As Ted Lasso would say, “You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It's a goldfish. It has a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish.”

The Commanders will turn their attention to Sunday’s opponent, their NFC East rival New York Giants at 1 p.m. ET.