The Washington Commanders made it to .500 on Sunday with a 24-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons to snap a three-game skid. Quarterback Sam Howell passed for a career-low 151 yards but for a career-high three touchdowns. More importantly, Howell did not turn the ball over.
Washington’s defense allowed 402 total yards but held the Falcons to 16 points. It was the first time since Week 1 that the Commanders didn’t allow 30 or more points. Three second-half interceptions helped propel Washington when the offense could get nothing going in the final 27 minutes.
With Week 6 in the books, Pro Football Focus has released its grades from Sunday’s games. We look at Washington’s top performers — and take a look at those who struggled.
Here are PFF’s grades from the Week 6 win over the Falcons.
Top 5 offense
- WR Terry McLaurin: 80.9
- WR Curtis Samuel: 73.9
- RB Brian Robinson Jr: 73.4
- QB Sam Howell: 69.0
- RB Antonio Gibson: 68.7
The Commanders did a good job of feeding McLaurin in the first half. Unfortunately, Washington didn’t have enough opportunities in the second half. Samuel continues to be one of the Commanders’ most reliable offensive players. Robinson had yet another touchdown, bowling over two Falcons on his way into the end zone. Howell was terrific in the first half, but he still took too many sacks.
Top 5 defense
- LB Jamin Davis: 82.8
- CB Kendall Fuller: 80.1
- DE Casey Toohill: 75.4
- LB Cody Barton: 73.9
- LB Khaleke Hudson: 68.8
Davis played one of his best games as a pro, recording a sack and interception. Fuller was solid as always in the win, while Toohill took advantage of his opportunity, recording two sacks. Barton had, by far, his best game as a Commander, finishing with 14 tackles. Hudson received his first playing time on defense and, despite only 12 snaps, made his presence felt.
Quan Martin and David Mayo were the top two defenders, but we didn’t include them since they played less than 10 snaps.
Bottom 5 offense
- WR Byron Pringle: 57.6
- RG Sam Cosmi: 55.1
- WR Dyami Brown: 53.9
- LG Saahdiq Charles: 50.3
- WR Jahan Dotson: 45.5
It’s interesting PFF graded both guards so low. The Commanders did have trouble running inside. The pass protection was solid, as most of the sacks were because of QB Sam Howell holding the ball too long. Dotson coming in with the lowest grade is a surprise. He had one target, which he dropped. Washington needs Dotson and at some point, he’ll get going.
Bottom 5 defense
- CB Danny Johnson: 53.8
- S Percy Butler: 49.4
- DT Daron Payne: 41.0
- DT John Ridgeway: 39.9
- DE Efe Obada: 29.2
This was Butler’s first game as the starting safety. He played every snap. It was an up-and-down performance from the second-year safety, who will only continue to improve. Johnson made one of the game’s top plays when the 5-foot-9 veteran broke up a fourth-down pass intended for 6-foot-6 tight end Kyle Pitts but had some issues with Atlanta’s bigger wideouts.
Other notable grades
- S Kamren Curl: 66.4
- CB Benjamin St-Juste: 54.6
- LT Cornelius Lucas: 68.4
- DT Jonathan Allen: 63.8
- DE Chase Young: 66.0
- TE Logan Thomas: 64.1
Curl played an outstanding game. He was everywhere defending the run and pass. He had some key pass breakups against Atlanta’s physical receivers. Young was solid again, but he just missed a game-changing sack on Ridder at one point. Lucas had his first start of the season in place of LT Charles Leno and did what he always does: He played well. There aren’t many swing tackles better than Lucas, who allowed no pressures. Thomas had only one target, surprising considering how much Howell has looked to him in recent weeks.
