The Commanders defensive line has certainly been the leading group through the first nine weeks of the 2022 season.
Defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are “taking care of business” leading the defense.
Allen is third in the NFL through nine weeks in tackles for a loss (11). Payne is right on Allen’s heels, only trailing by one with 10. Defensive end Montez Sweat has contributed 6 tackles for loss in these first 9 games of the season.
Payne lead the team with 5.5 QB sacks, with Allen second, with 4.5 sacks. Sweat is second only in QB hits (19) to the 49ers Nick Bosa (20). Payne has provided plenty of QB hits (13) coming from the inside. Allen continues to bring heat as well with 11 QB hits.
What may really surprise readers is that reserve defensive end James Smith-Williams has contributed 12 QB hits, and this in only 8 games, having played on 55.2 percent of defensive snaps. Efe Obada another reserve lineman, has contributed 7 QB hits.
The run defense has been solid, now ranking No. 2 in the NFL per Football Outsiders DVOA metric. For instance, Dalvin Cook, one of the more elusive runners in the NFL was held Sunday by the Commanders to a mere 47 yards in 17 carries (2.8). The Vikings were No. 4 in rushing offense per Football Outsiders DVOA.
And Washington is expected to get defensive Chase Young back — as soon as this week.
Grade: A
