Jonathan Allen wanted to make a big play and got his wish.
“I was glad I was able to be a part of that play and help my team come home with the win yesterday.”
A part of the play? Did you notice what Allen had to do to make the play?
Atlanta had just scored to draw within 24-16 early in the final quarter against the Commanders Sunday in Atlanta. A pass interference call against Benjamin St-Juste put the ball at the one-yard line for a closer two-point attempt.
This time, Allen dug in head up over left guard Matthew Bergeron. At the snap, both fired off into one another, but Allen knocked Bergeron to the inside. Allen now had 240-pound fullback Keith Smith charging forward at him. Allen pushed off Smith to the outside and instantly met running back Tyler Allgeier in the hole; Khaleke Hudson then showed up to help out, ensuring Allgeier was stopped short of the goal line.
Allen was making his weekly appearance Monday with the “Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan.
“We forced turnovers when they got down inside the red zone. I think it was a good (defensive) performance, I won’t say great when you give up 400 yards. But overall, we did what we had to do to get the win.”
“When I first came out of college, I still had the Alabama mindset. Early in my NFL career, even if we won, I wouldn’t be happy unless we dominated. But the NFL is not like college. I’ve learned to really appreciate every win in the NFL because it’s tough.”
Atlanta drove 75 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown in their opening possession. Allen expressed, “The most dangerous part for a defense in the NFL is the first 15 they script. They have a game plan, an idea of how we are going to line up in certain situations. Then they have a precise plan of how to attack us…as a defense, we have to be better in the first 15.”
When asked about Emmanuel Forbes being benched, Allen said he and Kendall Fuller both told Forbes to stay focused and he will be ok. Both talked of how they failed at times early in their career and learned from it.
Allen also expressed he believes in Casey Toohill and was not surprised by the plays Toohill made when getting snaps at defensive end Sunday.
Allen said he told his defensive teammates Sunday to go out there and have fun, to play fast and for your teammates. He clarified by saying, yes, there are several things to still clean up, but he is glad they got the win.
