The Washington Commanders dropped to 4-7 after Sunday’s 31-19 loss to the New York Giants. The numbers weren’t pretty. Washington was the first team since 1984 to have nine sacks — and lose by double digits.
How is that possible? The Commanders turned the ball over six times. Amazingly, Washington still had an opportunity to win the game on its final possession, but quarterback Sam Howell had his final pass attempt intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
It was a fitting end to a disastrous day for the Commanders.
Pro Football Focus wasn’t too kind to Washington’s offense as expected. Which players actually performed well?
What about the defense?
It’s time to review PFF’s best and worst from Washington’s Week 11 game against New York.
Top 5 offense
- RG Sam Cosmi: 84.2
- RT Andrew Wylie: 79.7
- RB Brian Robinson Jr: 67.0
- WR Byron Pringle: 65.9
- WR Terry McLaurin: 63.6
Somehow, Wylie always grades out really well, per PFF. He wasn’t Washington’s worst offensive tackle on Sunday, though, as left tackle Charles Leno Jr. struggled badly against Giants edge Kayvon Thibodeaux — again. Robinson had another stellar game and was Washington’s best offensive player.
McLaurin had five receptions for 43 yards. Don’t blame McLaurin for his lack of numbers. Washington isn’t doing enough to get the football in McLaurin’s hands.
Top 5 defense
- DT Phidarian Mathis: 90.0
- S Percy Butler: 85.9
- LB David Mayo: 84.4
- DT Jonathan Allen: 83.3
- DE K.J. Henry: 78.3
In case you couldn’t tell, Washington’s defensive line dominated. But how do you have nine sacks and not force one turnover? This is the first time we’ve ever seen Mathis play this well. He played 16 snaps. Percy Butler continues to shine in his opportunity. He’s played well over the last two weeks.
Mayo had his best game with two sacks and just missed another. Henry is a pleasant surprise. He was excellent in his first extended playing time. He had four tackles, 1.5 sacks and two passes defended. A very encouraging performance from Howell.
Bottom 5 offense
- TE John Bates: 52.2
- TE Logan Thomas: 49.8
- C Tyler Larsen: 48.4
- RG Chris Paul: 46.7
- WR Curtis Samuel: 42.1
Thomas had a decent game for Washington as a receiver but struggled as a blocker. His fumble in the first quarter was the start of Washington’s turnover issues.
What’s interesting here are the low grades for Larsen and Paul. They replaced Nick Gates and Saahdiq Charles after Week 7. The same positions struggled badly against Dexter Lawrence, which speaks of his outright dominance. Samuel played only 13 snaps as he was kicked out of the game for the scuffle after Sam Howell’s touchdown run.
Bottom 5 defense
- LB Khaleke Hudson: 62.3
- CB Kendall Fuller: 55.7
- DE Andre Jones Jr: 54.7
- DE Casey Toohill: 53.1
- CB Danny Johnson: 51.2
It’s unfair even to judge Hudson and Johnson here. They didn’t play enough snaps to impact the game. It’s not often you see Fuller on this list, but he had his worst game of the season. The touchdown he allowed was bad. He struggled in coverage and was even worse as a tackler, a strength for Fuller.
Jones failed to impact the game despite playing 26 snaps. He and Henry have a significant opportunity in front of them over the final six games.
Other notable grades
- LT Charles Leno Jr: 63.2
- QB Sam Howell: 53.9
- WR Jahan Dotson: 58.9
- DT Daron Payne: 78.2
- CB Emmanuel Forbes: 74.3
- LB Jamin Davis: 72.4
- S Kam Curl: 65.0
I am not sure how Leno graded as highly as he did. He struggled badly on Sunday. Most weeks, Leno is solid in pass protection but really struggles against the edge rushers with twitch.
Dotson caught a touchdown but didn’t really have enough targets to impact the game. Howell’s run grade brought up his score. He had three interceptions and another almost pick.
Payne was excellent, while Forbes again had a solid game, one of the few in the secondary. He broke up a touchdown pass.
