No one gave the Washington Commanders a chance in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers. The Commanders entered the game having lost six games in a row with a struggling young quarterback and a 32nd-ranked defense and without three starters along the offensive line and in the secondary.
However, Washington surprised everyone, going toe-to-toe with the 49ers for close to three quarters. Sure, it appeared that San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan looked more interested in leaving the game healthy than unleashing his full offensive arsenal against Washington, but the Commanders competed hard on both sides of the ball.
Washington’s new-look offensive line held up incredibly well against San Francisco’s terrific defensive line.
How did Pro Football Focus grade the Commanders against the 49ers? Let’s review PFF’s top — and bottom — performers from Week 17.
Top 5 offense
- RG Sam Cosmi: 80.9
- C Nick Gates: 73.6
- LT Cornelius Lucas: 73.6
- WR Terry McLaurin: 72.6
- RB Brian Robinson Jr: 68.5
Cosmi continues his recent string of dominance. It was about midway through this season that it appeared the light bulb came on for Cosmi at guard. Imagine if this staff had realized during Cosmi’s rookie season, he would be better inside. Cosmi would be a Pro Bowl guard now.
Gates and Lucas were solid, too. Lucas is a free agent at the end of the season, and regardless of who the next GM is, they should consider bringing Lucas back. Valuable swing tackles are hard to find. Lucas is a good player.
Brian Robinson Jr. was phenomenal running the ball and had one big play in the passing game. Eric Bieniemy didn’t use him enough.
Top 5 defense
- CB Christian Holmes: 64.7
- DB Quan Martin: 61.5
- S Kam Curl: 61.2
- DE James Smith-Williams: 58.0
- LB Khaleke Hudson: 57.6
These grades feel a little low in some cases. Let’s cover the top five here. Holmes was called on in relief and made an excellent play, breaking up a third-down pass in the second quarter. The Commanders scored their only touchdown on the next offensive drive.
Martin continues to quietly play well. He’s going to be fine when he gets good coaching. Hudson is another player that should’ve been playing all along. He gets it and is the best linebacker on Washington’s roster. Some would say that’s not saying much, but Hudson is a good, serviceable player.
Bottom 5 offense
- WR Jamison Crowder: 51.6
- WR Jahan Dotson: 50.5
- TE Logan Thomas: 49.2
- RB Antonio Gibson: 46.3
- QB Sam Howell: 35.3
Dotson went catchless again. While some of the blame can be placed on Dotson, it’s clear there are bigger issues on offense. I would expect a big bounceback from Dotson under a new offensive scheme next season.
If not for three passes, I think Sam Howell’s grade would’ve been much higher. The interceptions continue to follow him in the second half of the season. He was terrific in the first half when he had a running game. And the offensive line mostly did a good job protecting him.
Bottom 5 defense
- CB Emmanuel Forbes: 41.4
- CB Tariq Castro-Fields: 29.4
- DT Jonathan Allen: 29.2
- DT John Ridgeway: 28.9
- LB David Mayo: 28.1
These defensive grades are dreadful. And I think PFF was too harsh on some. Forbes gave up a touchdown and a long catch. On the touchdown, it was a scramble drill, where Brock Purdy and Brandon Aiyuk made a great play. On the long catch, Forbes had good coverage, but it was a perfect throw. Was he outstanding? No. But he was better than this grade.
Has Allen ever been ranked this low? I thought Allen was more active than he’d been in weeks. Mayo played more snaps this week, and while he wasn’t great, he understands his assignments better than Cody Barton and doesn’t get stuck in traffic as much.
Other notable grades
- LG Saahdiq Charles: 65.9
- RT Trent Scott: 57.0
- WR Curtis Samuel: 61.8
- DT Daron Payne: 45.2
- LB Cody Barton: 43.5
- DE K.J. Henry: 53.4
Saahdiq Charles and Trent Scott were mostly solid against the 49ers. Scott did have two penalties that impacted his grade. Curtis Samuel wasn’t involved as much in the passing game as he had been in recent weeks.
The low defensive grades continue. Payne, like Allen, was active in this game. The grade feels low for Payne. Barton struggled again. He gets washed out too much. Henry flashed on at least two plays, but Washington would like to see him win more as a pass rusher in the final week against Dallas.
