Remember when Carson Wentz threw a goal-line interception to send the Washington Commanders to their fourth-straight loss and 1-4 on the season? It felt like we were headed for another lost season of Washington Football.
Since then, though, the Commanders have won five of six, culminating in a road upset over the Eagles as a double-digit underdog on Monday Night Football.
The Commanders have now won two straight after their convincing victory over the lowly Texans on Sunday. With the win, Washington improved to 6-5 and they are now over .500 this late in the season since the Jay Gruden era in 2018.
The Texans are a bad football team, but they only had two double-digit losses coming into Week 11. Just days removed from an emotional win in Philly, it speaks volumes the Commanders asserted their dominance early and often. These players are a huge reason for that, as they brought their Sunday best to NRG Stadium.
4 Commanders who balled out against the Texans in Week 11
4. Logan Thomas, TE
The defense was so dominant on Sunday that Thomas is the only offensive player to make the cut. That might seem harsh, but nobody really padded the stat sheet, in part because they didn’t need to. Antonio Gibson was the only other player considered, but this performance was a long time coming for Thomas.
For the game, Thomas caught five passes for 65 yards, leading the team in both categories. Only Terry McLaurin (seven) drew more targets than Thomas’ six. It seems crazy given his reputation, but this marked Thomas’ best game since Week 1, when he caught three passes for 45 yards vs the Jaguars.
Since then, Thomas hadn’t topped 37 yards in a game. That stretch included the veteran tight end missing three weeks with a calf injury. Commanders fans had been clamoring for a vintage Thomas performance, and they got exactly that in Week 11.
It’s unclear what the future hold for Thomas beyond this season, but it was awesome to see him string together some catches. If he starts clicking, the Commanders’ offense will become that much more dangerous for the stretch run.
3. Montez Sweat, DE
This was a toss up between Sweat and Daron Payne; two players who are giving Washington A LOT to think about this offseason. We’ll cross that bridge when the time comes, because both players are dominating right now.
Over the last three games, Sweat has as many sacks (three) as he recorded over the fist nine games of the season. That’s not to say Sweat was ineffective to start the year, but stockpiling sacks will only boost his case to make the Pro Bowl, as sacks are the ultimate measuring stick for defensive ends.
Sweat sacked Davis Mills twice on Sunday, giving him his second multi-sack game of the campaign. Entering Week 10, Sweat ranked first among defensive linemen in quarterback hits (31), with the next-closest having 23, first in knockdowns (16), third in pressures (37) and second in hurries (24).
Those are Pro Bowl numbers if we’ve ever seen them. While Jon Allen and Payne are enjoying equally dominant seasons, the importance of Sweat setting the tone on the edge without running mate Chase Young cannot be overstated.
The Commanders exercised Sweat’s fifth-year option this season, and he’s putting together a career year with a potential big pay day on the horizon.
2. Jonathan Allen, DT
Forget interior defenders, Jon Allen is one of the game’s premium defensive linemen, edge rushers included. Fresh off his first career Pro Bowl, Allen has played like an All-Pro this season. In the first quarter alone, he notched a tackle for loss and a sack. The TFL was Allen’s 12 of the season; a new single-season career high.
Allen came into the game with 4.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, three passes defended, 34 pressures, an interception (!) and a forced fumble. Allen’s 78.8 player grade — which should be higher — from Pro Football Focus ranked 10th amongst interior defenders, as did his 82.3 pass rush grade.
How dominant is Allen right now? We’re glad you asked. Any excuse to watch his highlight for the 50th time since kickoff.
Jonathan Allen is ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/mqku0X3072
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 20, 2022
Allen is literally out here walking guards into the quarterback. You won’t find a better highlight from a defensive linemen all weekend.
The Commanders’ defense is balling right now, and Allen sets the stage and tone nearly every game. Sounds like an All-Pro to me.
1. Kendall Fuller, CB
A slow start would’ve been the worse-case scenario for Washington. Allowing a feisty underdog like the Texans, who’ve played a handful of close games this season, to gain a little confidence is never ideal.
Fuller made sure not to let that happen after he picked off Davis Mills and returned it for a touchdown to give the Commanders an early 7-0 lead. It was exactly what you’d expect from a player of Fuller’s caliber and experience.
The Texans called a short pass to instill some confidence in Mills, who wanted to hit Brandin Cooks on an out route near the sideline. On his heels to start the game, Fuller jumped the route and went untouched 37 yards into the end zone.
All told, this play shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Fuller’s rebounded from a dreadful start to the season and has gotten his hands on a number of passes in recent weeks. In fact, he recorded three passes defended and two breakups in the last two games. Over the last four games, Fuller allowed just seven catches for 73 yards (18.25 per game), per Pro Football Focus.
The Commanders needed to assert their dominance early, and Fuller made sure an emotional letdown wasn’t possible with this turnover.