Commanders bounce back, beat Raiders behind Marcus Mariota

The Washington Commanders are back in the win column after a 41-24 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3 inside Northwest Stadium.

The game started with a massive Deebo Samuel kickoff return to get the Commanders inside Raiders territory. Five plays later, backup quarterback Marcus Mariota ran the ball with a two-yard touchdown run.

While the two teams traded field goals, the Raiders tied the game after a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tre Tucker.

The Commanders broke the tie in the second quarter with a 60-yard run from running back Jeremy McNichols to take a touchdown lead. Then, Mariota was able to advance the ball up the field enough for Matt Gay to connect on a field goal that gave the Commanders a two-score lead going into halftime.

In the second half, the team's rookie class stepped up to the plate to give the Commanders an insurmountable lead. Wide receiver Jaylin Lane, a fourth-round pick out of Virginia Tech, returned a 90-yard punt for a touchdown. Then, seventh-round running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a one-yard score to put another touchdown on the board.

While another two Tucker touchdowns gave the Raiders some life, the Commanders put the finishing touch on the win with a 43-yard score from Mariota to wide receiver Luke McCaffrey.

The Commanders are back in action in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons.