Defense led the way in the Washington Commanders' Sunday Night Football victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, but they weren't the only unit that showed up.
And one breakout performance from a critically unheralded position could go a long way.
Drew Stevens, Washington's undrafted rookie kicker, nailed four of five attempts, including a momentum-swinging 56-yarder late in the first quarter. All in all, the Iowa product has been money this season from anything within 50 yards, and he's got the leg to hit from distance.
Drew Stevens has the Commanders' trust after hitting four field goals against the Eagles
If he can keep improving his accuracy, the Commanders might finally have their long-awaited solution at the NFL's most undervalued position.
No other position in the NFL is as driven by confidence as kicker. For Stevens, who missed a 55-yarder on Washington's opening drive, he could have spiraled into disaster when head coach Dan Quinn placed him in the same situation from one yard further later in the opening frame.
Instead, Stevens drilled it, which turned into a springboard for his best game of the season.
By the end of the night, Stevens accounted for 13 of Washington's 27 points, outscoring the Eagles by himself.
Quinn's growing trust in Stevens was palpable throughout the night. A few of his kicks came in situations in which we've seen Washington elect to go for it in the past. But this Eagles team was beatable with only field goals, and the kicker delivered.
It's been a long time since the Commanders had a true upper-echelon kicker. Dustin Hopkins was likely the closest thing in the past couple of decades, and even he had constant critics throughout his tenure with the team.
Drew Stevens is repaying the Commanders' faith after some early jitters
Recently, Washington has neglected prioritizing the position, picking up retread after retread off the streets. Everyone clamored for a long-term investment in a fresh rookie, which the Commanders finally found in Stevens this year.
Stevens started shaky and has missed three extra points this season. But he did a lot of growing up on Sunday night, and now it's all about how he's able to build on it.
A kicker's primary job is to be someone who won't lose you the game. But great kickers can actively be the reason you win a game. Stevens was one reason Washington beat the Eagles, continuing his encouraging form after some early jitters.
The kicker position has never been as talented as it is in today's NFL. Consistently hitting 50-yarders is no longer an accomplishment; it's an expectation. And the Commanders have never had a player who can do this consistently.
There's still some work to do, but Stevens has the potential to be precisely that after coming to life in recent weeks.
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