Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste had a game to forget in Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. According to Pro Football Focus, St-Juste was targeted nine times and allowed six receptions for 84 yards to the Seahawks.
St-Juste and the Commanders had a tough opponent Sunday. Seattle’s trio of wide receivers (DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and rookie Jaxon Smith Njigba) represent one of the best units in the league. And at different times in Sunday’s game, St-Juste was matched up with a different Seahawks wideout.
One drive, in particular, will stand out the most to St-Juste. With the score tied at 19, Seattle was driving. On third-and-3, Commanders safety Percy Butler drilled Seattle tight end Noah Fant for a two-yard loss, bringing up fourth-and-5 at the Washington 39-yard line.
Surely, with a tie game and eight minutes remaining, the Seahawks would punt and play the field position game. No chance. Head coach Pete Carroll saw how his offense was moving the ball against a struggling defense and kept them on the field.
On the fourth down play, quarterback Geno Smith’s pass to Metcalf fell incomplete. Celebrations ensued for the Commanders as the defense finally made a stop.
Wait, there were flags. As it turns out, St-Juste was called for pass interference, giving the Seahawks a first down and moving the ball to the 33. Three plays later, running back Kenneth Walker Jr. rushed for four yards to the Commanders’ eight-yard line. Yet another flag. This time, a face-mask penalty on St-Juste.
Two plays later, Smith’s pass to Lockett in the corner of the end zone came against St-Juste.
It was a rough drive for St-Juste. If you take out that drive, St-Juste’s game doesn’t look nearly as bad.
Yet, after the game, St-Juste stood in front of reporters and help himself responsible.
“I can give you the politically right answer, this and that and whatever,” St-Juste said.
“I’m going to take the burn on this one, honestly. I feel like I cost my team this win. I’ve been on the positive side of making some clutch plays at the end. And it happened on this one that I wasn’t. It just speaks to the fact that I need to put more work in and understand where I’m at. I’m trying to make the plays that I need to be there. It’s just life. I can’t make every single play, but I feel like on that fourth and five, that was tough. That kind of changed the game a bit. Towards the end, I could’ve made a better judgment call [with] him running the slant [and] thinking it was going to be something else. That’s on me, and that’s life. I need to get back up and work better because I cost my team a possible win.”
Washington fans were hard on St-Juste. He had a bad day and a bad drive, but his honesty and openness were refreshing. St-Juste himself didn’t cost the Commanders this game. He could’ve played better. Everyone on the defense could’ve played better. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio could’ve been better. Imagine if Washington’s defensive line would’ve applied consistent pressure on Smith.
Overall, St-Juste has been one of the bright spots on a terrible and underachieving Washington defense in 2023.