The Washington Commanders fell to 2-3 on the season after Thursday’s embarrassing 40-20 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Losing in the NFL isn’t embarrassing. As we know, it’s always “any given Sunday,” or in this case, Thursday, but losing by 20 to a team that hadn’t won a game in almost a full calendar year qualifies as embarrassing.
Buy Commanders TicketsThe Commanders were down 27-3 to the Bears due to a horrific performance from the defense. And while the entire defense was bad, not every defensive player struggled.
How about quarterback Sam Howell?
It’s time for our weekly grades from Pro Football Focus on the best — and worst — performers from the prior game for the Commanders.
Top 5 offense
- WR Jamison Crowder: 82.3
- RT Andrew Wylie: 76.8
- LT Charles Leno Jr: 76.0
- RG Sam Cosmi: 74.2
- WR Curtis Samuel: 70.1
It’s a bit surprising to see Wylie so high. Leno seems to grade out well each week, as does Cosmi. Wylie allows pressure every game but didn’t as much against Chicago because the Bears lack dominant pass rushers. Sure, the Commanders gave up five sacks, but when you attempt over 50 passes, that is going to happen.
Top 5 defense
- DT Daron Payne: 86.0
- DE Chase Young: 83.1
- DE Montez Sweat: 78.7
- DE James Smith-Williams: 63.0
- CB Benjamin St-Juste: 62.7
It’s surprising to see Payne graded so highly. Not because he’s not a phenomenal player — he is, but this wasn’t his best game. One of the more confusing aspects of PFF grades is when Payne has had better games, which he does often, he’s graded far lower. Interesting, for sure.
Chase Young was outstanding. This grade accurately reflects his performance. Young was active throughout the game. This is another positive sign for him as he continues to try and recapture his form from 2020. Young now has three sacks on the season.
Bottom 5 offense
- WR Jahan Dotson: 59.2
- RB Derrick Gore: 58.1
- TE John Bates: 54.6
- TE Cole Turner: 53.3
- WR Byron Pringle: 52.5
None of Washington’s offensive linemen were ranked among the five lowest-graded Commanders. It was all receivers and tight ends.
Bottom 5 defense
- S Percy Butler: 45.7
- CB Kendall Fuller: 43.6
- LB Cody Barton: 39.8
- CB Danny Johnson: 38.4
- CB Emmanuel Forbes: 32.0
Do we sense a theme here? Four of these players are from a secondary that Bears QB Justin Fields and wide receiver DJ Moore torched. And between these four defensive backs is Cody Barton, registering another PFF grade in the 30s. Sometimes, PFF grades do not tell the entire story; they do here. Forbes was bad again, too. Fuller had his worst game of the season, allowing two of Moore’s touchdowns.
Other notable grades
- QB Sam Howell: 61.4
- RB Brian Robinson Jr: 60.6
- WR Terry McLaurin: 61.8
- TE Logan Thomas: 67.1
- S Kamren Curl: 60.5
- DT Jonathan Allen: 55.3
- LB Jamin Davis: 53.0
This was a solid performance from Howell. While Washington’s offense did nothing early, it wasn’t necessarily on him. Two plays he’d like to have back is when he missed Dyami Brown for a wide-open touchdown. That cost the Commanders four points. His interception in Washington territory gave the Bears a short field.
It’s weird seeing Jonathan Allen on anything but the top five performers. Terry McLaurin and Kamren Curl, too.
