The Commanders defense is hemorrhaging points, giving up at least 23 points in *every single game* this season and a horrifying 30-plus in three straight matchups. It’s rough, man. This is a unit that was supposed to be completely revamped, loaded with young talent, and designed for Daronte Jones’ attacking scheme, but right now, it’s just not hitting.
When Big Investments Don’t Deliver
Let’s be real, the front office poured a ton of cash into this defense, targeting younger guys they thought were on the rise. Odafe Oweh came with a massive price tag. Nick Cross was supposed to be a lockdown in the secondary. Leo Chenal was meant to anchor the linebacker corps right alongside the No. 7 overall NFL draft pick, Sonny Styles. They even brought in Amik Robertson to solidify a cornerback group that was finally supposed to get better. Plus, K’Lavon Chaisson and Charles Omenihu were added to get younger and faster. The hope was sky-high for this group, but the numbers tell a brutal story. We’re talking No. 26 overall in total defense (354.5 ypg), No. 29 in scoring defense (28.7 ppg), and a dismal No. 29 in passing defense (254 ypg). Even worse, they’re dead last at No. 32 in red zone percentage at 81.8 percent and No. 25 on third down. They’ve only managed 8 takeaways all season, too. It’s definitely not the outcome anyone wanted.
Injuries, Benchings, And The Brutal Secondary
The secondary was always a question mark, but then the injury bug hit hard, starting way back in the summer. Trey Amos’ ankle, still recovering from a fractured fibula, never got right and landed him on injured reserve to start the season. Mike Sainristil just couldn’t be trusted on the field and has basically been benched, forcing street free agent Rasul Douglas, a smart pickup, to take on way more snaps than anticipated. And as if that wasn’t enough, Nick Cross missed significant time after a Week 2 hospitalization, leaving an already thin safety group even weaker. All these hits have left the secondary exposed, especially when the team’s creative blitzes don’t get to the quarterback. The good news: Cross and Amos are finally back, and Amik Robertson is playing like a true No. 1 cover corner, offering a glimmer of hope that this group can turn it around.
The Bright Spots: Styles, the D-Line, and The Problem to Solve
Amidst all the chaos, there are a few things to cheer for. The run defense, for one, is actually pretty solid, allowing roughly 100 rushing yards per game, which is by far their best metric. The defensive line is stout and has some real depth. Charles Omenihu has been a pleasant addition, and Deatrich Wise, now activated off the PUP list, adds some much-needed heft. Daron Payne might not be the pass rusher he once was, but he’s still a beast against the run. These guys do a great job funneling ball carriers right to Sonny Styles and Frankie Luvu, who have been fantastic at cleaning up. But the biggest issue remains: the Commanders are running some really creative blitzes and pressure schemes, yet they’re not getting home consistently. That leaves them vulnerable and has led to explosive plays that just break games. Outside of that Week 6 loss to the 49ers, this defense generally gets worse in the second half. They’ve got to figure out how to finish.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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