The Washington Commanders’ defense put together a statement night on Sunday Night Football, and it did so without Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne on the field.
Even with those absences, Washington delivered a historic performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, piling up a season-high in pressures and producing one of the NFL’s best blitzing outings of the year. The result was a lopsided defensive showing that kept Philadelphia to just 10 points, the Eagles’ second-fewest total in a game this season.
It was also the first time this year the Commanders held an opponent under 20 points. Washington’s defense finished with five sacks, limited quarterback Tanner McKee to 212 passing yards, and kept Saquon Barkley in check with only 30 rushing yards.
The Eagles never found any real rhythm after the opening quarter. Washington’s defense helped the Commanders pull away in the second half, and Philadelphia did not score again. The longest drive the Eagles managed until the closing moments was under 60 yards, and their final gasp came on a 34-yard completion as time expired.
Now the Commanders turn the page to the Los Angeles Rams, and the defense will be asked to bring that same edge again on Sunday. The Rams have injury concerns of their own, particularly on defense, which could create opportunities for Washington’s offense. Still, the Commanders’ secondary will have its hands full with All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua, who has 19 catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns over the past two games.
In Other News...
Commanders Get A Big Chance To Prove Last Week Was Real
The Commanders get a quick chance to show whether last week was a true turning point when they return home to face the Rams at Northwest Stadium in Landover. Washingtons win over the Eagles gave the team a jolt of momentum, and now the challenge is backing it up against another opponent coming in with confidence after the Rams handled the Chargers.
It is the kind of matchup that can tell you a lot about where a team really stands this time of year, especially when the calendar turns and every result starts carrying a little more weight. Fans who cant make it to the stadium will be able to catch it on local FOX stations, with Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth and Jen Hale on the call. [Read more 🡒]
Shy Tuttle Suddenly Carries A Huge Role In Washingtons Final Stretch
With the Commanders trying to steady their defense in the final stretch, Shy Tuttle has suddenly become a much bigger part of the rotation. Season-ending injuries have thinned Washingtons interior line, and Tuttle has responded with more snaps and a noticeable uptick in production, showing up around the ball with tackles and even getting home for a sack.
For a team still trying to hold things together on defense, that matters. Washington does not have much margin for error up front, so Tuttles recent play has given the staff a useful answer while the rest of the depth chart gets stretched thinner. The question now is how much more the Commanders can ask of him as the season winds down. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels May Have Found Washingtons Answer After Terry McLaurin
Terry McLaurins season-ending injury forced Washington to reshuffle its passing game, and Treylon Burks has been one of the players most clearly benefiting from the opportunity. Over the last two games, Burks has drawn more looks and turned them into 147 receiving yards, giving Jayden Daniels a downfield option the Commanders did not have to lean on before McLaurin went out.
Daniels has already shown growing trust in Burks, and that matters as Washington tries to stabilize its receiver rotation without its top target. The next question is whether Burks can turn this stretch into something more lasting, because his health and week-to-week consistency will go a long way toward determining how real this new role is for the Commanders. [Read more 🡒]