In the first game under new head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., the Washington Commanders’ defense resembled the 2023 unit that finished 32nd in the NFL.
Washington missed tackles, failed to get adequate pressure on Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, could not force a turnover and allowed four touchdown passes in a 37-20 loss.
Commanders defensive end Clelin Ferrell had the team’s only sack in Week 1. However, others were close. Defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne had Mayfield in their grasp at different times, but he escaped only to make big plays down the field.
With only one sack and Mayfield completing 80% of his passes in Week 1, it would appear that Washington did not apply significant pressure.
That’s not the case, according to Warren Sharp of Sharp Analysis. The Commanders finished second in the NFL in pass rush win rate last week at 67%, behind only the Chicago Bears (71%).
What exactly is pass rush win rate?
Pass rush win rate is a metric created by ESPN that records how often a pass rusher beats his block within 2.5 seconds.
Sometimes, stats don’t always tell the whole story. That was certainly the case for the Commanders last week. It’s encouraging that Washington was winning one-on-one matchups up front, but the failure to finish haunted them throughout the game.
It wasn’t only pass rush win rate where Washington excelled. Sharp had the Commanders finishing fifth in run stop win rate. That’s more in line with the numbers, as Washington held Tampa Bay to 3.7 yards per rush attempt.
There were a lot of questions about Washington’s pass rush coming into the season. How would Dorance Armstrong perform now that he’s in a full-time role? Could Ferrell and Dante Fowler Jr. help as pass rushers? However, the most intriguing player is former linebacker and 2021 first-round pick Jamin Davis.
Davis played limited snaps in Week 1 but made two excellent stops, including beating Pro Bowl tackle Tristan Wirfs to take down a Tampa running back for a six-yard loss. In total, the Commanders had eight tackles for loss, which is encouraging.
Washington hopes that high pass rush win rate turns into more sacks against the New York Giants in Week 2.