Washington fans know bad defense when they see it — and they’ve seen it a lot over the past decade.
Barring a miraculous turnaround, though, the 2023 Commanders will go down as the worst defense in recent franchise history, and have all but secured their spot as the worst in the NFL this year.
Washington has allowed opponents to score 423 points this season, far more than second-place Arizona (376).
Their biggest weakness is against the pass, as a porous secondary prone to big mistakes has been paired with a defensive line that saw two key players traded away. That’s left opposing quarterbacks with plenty of time, and an abundance of open receivers.
With the team struggling and an eye toward the future, Washington moved Chase Young and Montez Sweat at the trade deadline to accumulate draft picks. Injuries have sidelined veteran James Smith-Williams, leaving just one non-rookie, Casey Toohill, active at the position on Sunday.
With three games to go, Washington has allowed 32 passing touchdowns and is chasing the record set by the 1961 Redskins, who allowed 37 (that team finished an all-time worst 1-12-1).
Defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, who have seen more attention as a result, said there’s no point in dwelling on what could have been.
“I mean, them boys gone, man,” Payne said. “They ain’t coming back.
“This is the NFL. Next man up. That’s all you can do. Play harder, play faster, be more. I’ve just been trying to focus on all the little things. Taking more notes, training a little harder, lifting a little harder, practicing a little harder and hoping my preparation takes it to Sunday.”
Allen noted that since the trades, the team has played several quarterbacks who are known for a quick release of the ball.
“I mean, in this league you’re not going to replace Chase and Sweat, but I still think the guys who have replaced them have been playing really well,” he said. “I mean, look at the Dolphins game, the Cowboys game, it’s tough. Then you look at this game (against the Rams), we’re getting there. We’re putting pressure on them. We’ve just got to bring them home. But yeah, those are just two guys you’re not going to be able to replace. That’s just what it is.”
Washington has recorded no sacks in three of the six games since Sweat and Young departed, but there was hope Sunday in the form of a three-sack day against the Rams and Matthew Stafford.
“The thing is, in our system d-ends just go out there and play, and wreak havoc,” cornerback Kendall Fuller said. “So it’s been good to see them just gain confidence, gain snaps and things like that.”
Coach Ron Rivera, who calls plays for the defense, said scheming up more opportunities to get to the quarterback will be a priority down the stretch.
He said watching the young players, a group led by K.J. Henry and Andre Jones Jr., has been rewarding.
“It gave a chance for those young guys to get some really good experience,” Rivera said. “We got a chance to watch KJ Henry play a little bit, and show his physicality as a run-stopper.
“It’s just one of things that when you do something like that you’ve got to continue to work and develop it,” he added. One of the things we do that is we try to find ways to manufacture pass rush. We’ve blitzed a little bit more than we have in the past, and are trying to create those opportunities. We’ve run some load fronts, just trying to do some different things, and I think that’s part of what we’re learning about our guys.”
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