Coming into the 2023 season, the Washington Commanders expected to have one of the NFL’s better defenses. A consensus top-10 unit in 2022, the Commanders were getting a healthy Chase Young back and adding first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes to the mix.
In a Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals — a team many believe to be the NFL’s least talented team — Washington allowed only 210 yards and an average of just 3.6 yards per play.
However, the cracks began to form in a Week 2 win over the Denver Broncos when Washington allowed 399 yards and 33 points to the Broncos. From the game forward, the Commanders would allow 30 or more points in four consecutive games.
Washington has played its share of good quarterbacks this season but has also played some who’ve struggled. Yet, in seven of the 10 games so far, opposing quarterbacks have had at least two touchdown passes against the Commanders. Also, five quarterbacks have had their best games against Washington, while two others have had their second-most yardage against the Commanders.
There are a lot of reasons for Washington’s defensive struggles. Regardless, defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio hasn’t provided answers.
This week, the Commanders host the Giants in a rematch from Week 7. The quarterback this week is undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito. Surely, the Commanders can slow down DeVito. Right?
Here’s a look at what opposing quarterbacks have done against Washington’s defense this season.
Week 1: Joshua Dobbs
Amazingly, Dobbs is on his third team since August. After being traded to the Vikings after the injury to Kirk Cousins, Dobbs has led Minnesota to wins in his first two starts.
Against the Commanders, Dobbs had only 132 passing yards in Week 1.
Week 2: Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson looked done last year but has quietly been solid this season under Sean Payton. He had his best game (yardage-wise) against the Commanders, passing for 308 yards and three touchdowns.
Week 3: Josh Allen
Believe it or not, Allen passed for only 218 yards and a touchdown against Washington. He also rushed for a score. It was Buffalo’s defense that was the story on this day.
Week 4: Jalen Hurts
Hurts’ two best games have come against Washington. In Week 4, Hurts passed for 319 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 5: Justin Fields
Justin Fields had his two best career games in back-to-back weeks. Unfortunately, one of those games was against the Commanders, where Fields passed for 282 yards and four touchdowns. This was a historically embarrassing performance from Washington’s entire team.
Week 6: Desmond Ridder
Ridder passed for 307 yards against the Commanders, one of only two times he’s passed for over 300 yards this season. It was against Washington that he had his only multi-touchdown game. If Ridder hadn’t thrown three interceptions, his numbers would’ve been even better and the Falcons would have won.
Week 7: Tyrod Taylor
Tyrod Taylor was filling in for Daniel Jones and was the reason the Giants won this game. Taylor passed for a season-high 279 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor did this playing behind an offensive line down multiple starters.
Week 8: Jalen Hurts
Amazingly, Hurts passed for 319 yards in both games vs. Washington. In this game, though, he passed for four touchdowns, the second time an opposing QB has thrown for at least four touchdowns against the Commanders this season.
Week 9: Mac Jones
Fortunately for Washington, Mac Jones isn’t very good. He passed for 220 yards and a touchdown. He missed multiple open receivers in the game.
Week 10: Geno Smith
Everyone knows Geno Smith can sling it. But he had been inconsistent up until Week 10 vs. Washington. We warned that the Commanders could be a “get-right game” for Smith, and that proved to be true. Smith passed for a season-high 369 yards and two touchdowns.
