5 sneaky threats the Commanders should worry about vs. Bills in Week 3
By James Dudko
Commanders must contain Ed Oliver
He doesn't get the props given to Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, but Ed Oliver is quietly one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. Numbers from Pro Football Focus, cited by Cowboys Report host Tom Downey, show how effective the lineman is when rushing the passer this season.
NFL Pressure Rate leaders (min. 29 pass rush snaps, per PFF):
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) September 19, 2023
Josh Uche: 25.0%
Ed Oliver: 23.5%
Chase Young: 22.6%
Dorance Armstrong: 21.9%
Bryce Huff: 21.6%
DeMarcus Lawrence: 21.4%
Micah Parsons: 21.1%
Chris Jones: 20.7%
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka: 20.1%
Osa Odighizuwa: 20.0%
Oliver's putting consistent pressure on the pocket, but he's also formidable against the run. The 25-year-old already has 3.5 run stops to his credit after two games.
Keeping Oliver quiet won't be easy. But the Washington Commanders could have the advantage thanks to center Nick Gates.
He's added something the Commanders looked for this offseason, what Ben Standig of The Athletic called "a tenacious and steady presence" over the ball.
Gates and mobile guard Saahdiq Charles can help the Commanders make quick contact with Oliver and keep No. 91 on his heels. Putting such a big body on skates will allow the improving left guard to get to the second level and absorb an increasingly active Bills' linebacker.