Commanders Week 9 key numbers: Victory slips away against Vikings

The Good: Defense continues to shine

43.75%: After allowing Kirk Cousins to start 8-for-8 to begin the game, the defense held him to a 43.75% completion percentage for the remainder of the game.

8.6: Washington’s defense held the Vikings to 8.6 fewer points than its average during the five-game winning streak coming into the game.

2.8: Dalvin Cook was averaging 5.16 yards per carry with five rushing touchdowns over the Vikings’ five-game win streak, but was held to 2.8 yards per carry and 0 touchdowns by Washington.

6: Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne were all over the field, combining for 6 QB hits, and 6 tackles for loss. Payne also added a sack to get to 5.5 for the year, already a career-high. He’s going to get paid in free agency.

2: Benjamin St-Juste had two big pass breakups in the end-zone, one leading to Danny Johnson’s first career interception. He also added a sack and had a pick-six called back due to a penalty that could have gone either way. He is showing a lot of growth at corner.

49: The 49-yard completion from Taylor Heinicke to Curtis Samuel was Samuel’s second-longest career reception. The play constituted more yards than Heinicke had passed for in the entire first half (48). It should have been a sure pick but worked out for the Commanders with even Heinicke acknowledging after the game that the ref deserved a game ball.