Washington Football Team studs and duds from Week 16 loss vs. Panthers

Washington Football Team QB Taylor Heinicke. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Washington Football Team QB Taylor Heinicke. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 20: Khaleke Hudson #47 of the Washington Football Team celebrates a play with Kamren Curl #31 against the Seattle Seahawks at FedExField on December 20, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 20: Khaleke Hudson #47 of the Washington Football Team celebrates a play with Kamren Curl #31 against the Seattle Seahawks at FedExField on December 20, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Stud No. 4 – S Kamren Curl

I could have picked a few defensive players here, but I went with the defensive back who’s time and again exceeded expectations and made an impact for the team’s most consistent unit: Safety Kamren Curl.

In Sunday’s loss against the Panthers, Curl put up nine more total tackles, bringing his season total to 86. He also deflected a pass, and logged an impressive interception late in the first half. Washington’s offense would end up wasting the opportunity, but Curl did a great job staying aware, and hovered under the ball to secure the catch.

The jury is still out on most of Washington’s 2020 rookie class, but Kamren Curl is already one of their most consistent defensive players. Under Ron Rivera and Jack Del Rio, he’s playing fast and confident, and he’s shown impressive instincts and processing ability for a rookie. The team will need another impact performance from him this coming week, against the Eagles.

Curl wasn’t the only defensive back that made plays on Sunday. Despite the win, the Panthers only passed for 197 yards and a 1:1 TD-INT ratio. Ronald Darby helped suffocate Carolina’s passing attack with three pass deflections — bring his season total to 15 — while also logging a tackle for loss. Additionally, Kendall Fuller also logged another pass deflection, reaching double digits in that category.