The Washington Commanders improved to 2-0 after Sunday’s 35-33 win over the Denver Broncos. Quarterback Sam Howell improved to 3-0 as an NFL starting quarterback, completing 27 of 39 passes for 299 yards with two touchdowns.
Washington’s defense had a rough start in the game, down 21-3 in the second quarter, but rebounded to sack Broncos QB Russell Wilson seven times. Defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat led the Commanders with 1.5 sacks apiece.
Buy Commanders TicketsPro Football Focus released player grades Monday, and we break down the best — and worst — performers on both sides of the ball for the Commanders.
Top 5 offense
- TE Cole Turner: 75.0
- RB Brian Robinson Jr.: 74.9
- LG Saahdiq Charles: 71.8
- RG Sam Cosmi: 70.3
- LT Charles Leno Jr.: 67.1
Turner didn’t have a lot of opportunities, but when he did, he delivered. His role will continue to increase if Logan Thomas misses any time due to the concussion he sustained in Sunday’s win.
Robinson was outstanding, rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns, and he also caught two passes for 42 yards. Washington’s guards, Saahdiq Charles and Sam Cosmi were outstanding. If these two can stay healthy, the Commanders have found something in the former tackles now inside at guard.
Leno struggled at times in the first half but battled back to finish the game on a strong note.
Top 5 defense
- DE Montez Sweat: 79.3
- DT Jonathan Allen: 78.6
- DT Daron Payne: 78.5
- DE Chase Young: 76.1
- DT Abdullah Anderson: 75.4
How fitting is it that five defensive linemen were the top-five graded defenders for Washington? Sweat and Young were phenomenal, combining for three sacks. It was Young’s first game this season and he resembled the 2020 version of himself and looks far removed from the devasting knee injury he suffered in Nov. 2021.
Allen didn’t make any standout plays, but in typical Allen fashion, he did his job — and did it well. Payne’s sequence to begin the second half is as dominant of a defensive possession from an individual player you will ever. On Denver’s first three plays in the third quarter, Payne recorded a sack, tackle for loss and batted down a pass.
Bottom 5 offense
- WR Byron Pringle: 57.3
- WR Mitchell Tinsley: 56.8
- RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.: 56.5
- WR Dyami Brown: 54.5
- RB Antonio Gibson: 51.9
Pringle, Tinsley and Rodriguez played a combined 21 snaps, with Pringle leading the way with 13 snaps.
Brown caught three passes for 25 yards and continues to have an increased role. Not sure why Gibson ranked so low. He had three receptions for 44 yards, including one that went for 36 yards. Gibson also had an excellent run for a first down.
Bottom 5 defense
- DT John Ridgeway: 60.9
- DE Andre Jones Jr.: 60.9
- S Percy Butler: 54.4
- CB Emmanuel Forbes: 48.6
- LB Cody Barton: 42.0
Jones played only four snaps. Butler was beaten badly for a long touchdown early in the game, which likely impacted his grade. Forbes also gave up a long play, but he also defended two passes and had his first career interception. Had Forbes not fell, he would’ve had his first pick-six.
Barton is Washington’s lowest-graded defender for the second consecutive week. It shows up on film, too. Will the Commanders continue to stick with him, hoping the more he plays, the more comfortable he becomes?
Other notable grades
- QB Sam Howell: 67.0
- WR Terry McLaurin: 61.5
- WR Jahan Dotson: 58.8
- TE Logan Thomas: 65.8
- LB Jamin Davis: 73.3
- S Kamren Curl: 72.4
- CB Benjamin St-Juste: 67.8
Howell did not turn the ball over in his third NFL start. He made several high-level throws. He did take at least two sacks he could’ve avoided, but appeared to have cleaned that up in the second half.
McLaurin made a brilliant catch on an excellent throw from Howell for his first touchdown of the season. Thomas’ touchdown reception was a game-changer for the Commanders before he departed due to a concussion.
Davis had a 15-yard penalty, but his strip-sack of Wilson that led to a fumble, changed the game in favor of Washington. He played a solid game.
St-Juste broke up Denver’s two-point conversion attempt to end the game.
