This player has been vital to Washington’s defensive turnaround

To say that the Washington Football Team’s defense has turned a corner over the last month would be a gross understatement.

It really makes you ponder what their record would be if the defense resembled something other than mediocrity during the first two months, when they ranked last in points allowed, but let’s not dampen the mood.

Over the last four games, only the New England Patriots, who might flaunt the best defense in the league, have allowed fewer total points than Washington. During that same stretch, they rank first in fewest rushing yards allowed.

This turnaround has clearly been sparked by improved execution and attention to detail, but we can’t help but highlight Kendall Fuller‘s astounding run of form as a chief reason for the group’s recent triumphs.

Yes, Fuller notched the game-sealing interception on Seattle’s two-point conversion attempt with 15 seconds left, but his contributions date all the way back to Week 7, when he shifted from the slot back to the perimeter.

Kendall Fuller has helped spark the Washington Football Team’s defensive turnaround.

Before we wax poetic on Fuller’s turnaround, let’s put the finishing touches on his masterclass against the Seahawks.

If not for Jonathan Allen continuing to play at an All-Pro level, Fuller would have finished as Washington’s highest-graded player, as he finished with a sublime 90.7 grade from Pro Football Focus, which credited him with three (!) pass breakups.

Fuller also limited DK Metcalf, one of the most physically-imposing receivers the league has to offer, to one reception for 14 yards and just four targets. Folks, Metcalf wasn’t even targeted until the second half.

You gotta tip your cap to Fuller for that performance. However, it was just par for the course for the 26-year-old since he was moved back out wide.

Since Week 7, Fuller’s conceded 15 catches on 21 targets for 171 yards and one touchdown. He also has six breakups and ZERO missed tackles. That entire stat line is impressive, but the fact he’s only been targeted 21 times despite having to cover opponent’s No. 1 receiving threat sticks out the most.

As a result, he’s PFF’s sixth-highest graded CB at 86.0 during that stretch, bumping his season grade up to 78.1, which ranks second on the defense behind Jonathan Allen (91.1), and fourth overall amongst full-time starters behind Chase Roullier (81.4), Terry McLaurin (78.8) and Charles Leno (78.6).

Fuller obviously doesn’t deserve all the credit for Washington flipping the script on defense.

The emergence of Landon Collins in his new linebacker/safety hybrid role has helped the cause. As has Allen’s continued dominance along the interior. Kam Curl has maybe been the secondary’s most consistent performer spanning the entire season and Daron Payne is living up to his reputation as an elite run stuffer.

However, it’s virtually impossible to deny that Fuller’s dominance on the boundaries has helped stabilize the secondary. As a result, you’re seeing more coverage sacks and fewer chunk plays by opposing offenses.

It was a joy to watch Fuller go to work against Seattle in primetime, and we’re counting down the hours to see whom he matches up with vs Las Vegas this Sunday, because he’s playing like one of the best corners in the NFL.