Tag: Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne

NFC East goes 1-1 in Week 9

The Giants and Cowboys were off in Week 9.

With the NFL schedule having the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys both off for Week 9, the NFC East looked as if it was going to be 2-0.

The Eagles had already defeated the Texans 29-17 Thursday Night in Houston to remain the NFL’s only defeated team at 8-0.

The Commanders had the Vikings on the ropes and struggling to stay alive. Washington led 17-7 in the fourth quarter. The Vikings suddenly rallied, outscoring the Commanders 13-0 in the final quarter for the 20-17 win.

  • Eagles 8-0
  • Cowboys 6-2
  • Giants 6-2
  • Commanders 4-5

The Eagles’ victory means Philadelphia is 8-0 for the first time in franchise history. Jalen Hurts has the longest winning streak for an NFL starter, dating back to his final three games of 2021, for an 11-game total currently.

Hurts was pretty much flawless against the Texans, completing 21 of his 27 attempts for 243 yards, and two touchdowns.

Javon Hargrave was a beast against the Texans. Hargrave contributed seven tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits. He was clearly the dominant force on the line of scrimmage, Thursday.

The Commanders have to be kicking themselves for leading 17-7 early in the final quarter before being outscored 13-0 in the final frame. Taylor Heinicke had his typical game–inconsistent. Heinicke passed for 149 yards, though completing only 15 of 28 attempts. He only managed to produce 5.3 yards per attempt.

Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen had good games inside for the Commanders. Payne collected four solo tackles, four tackles for a loss, one sack and two QB hits. Allen contributed two tackles for a loss and four QB hits.

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Commanders defense started so well and then …

The game started quite well for Washington’s defense until it all fell apart.

I know it is hard to believe, but Sunday’s game against the Lions actually started well, quite well.

The Commanders’ defense actually caused Detroit to punt with a “three and out” on the Lions’ first possession, but Washington was embarrassed trailing by 22 at the half before losing to the Lions 36-27.

The first time the defense was on the field, Jack Del Rio dialed up a 3rd down blitz that worked to perfection. Jamin Davis was lined up on the line  (standing up) inside of James Smith-Williams, the left defensive end. To his right, Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen both slanted to their left towards Davis, and Davis looped around, both untouched for an easy sack of Jared Goff. It was wonderful execution by players playing as a unit.

It was the exact opposite of what both Del Rio and Ron Rivera expressed frustration with last season when some Washington defensive lineman apparently repeatedly played their own game, trying to get their own stats. Del Rio this week even referred to them as “independent contractors,” meaning they were doing what they wanted to do.

Rivera during the 2021 season on more than a few occasions referenced immaturity, not doing their jobs, and not playing together as a unit. But on this play against the Lions, Allen and Payne clearly slanted away, causing chaos, so that Davis could have the opportunity to sack Goff.

Davis displayed patience as well. He did not simply begin his loop around at the snap of the ball. That would have signaled to the Lions linemen on their right side that something was up. No, Davis began vertically challenging the Lions’ right side and after three steps forward, began his loop-around to his right, and it looked as if the Red Sea had opened for him and he clobbered Goff for the 12-yard sack, forcing the Lions to punt.

It was a clear example of coaching and then players executing what they are coached to perform. However, the vast majority of the rest of the first half was unbearable for Commanders’ fans. The Lions gained 250 yards while Washington accumulated a mere 56 yards and an embarrassing two first downs. In fact, the Commanders’ initial first down did not come until 5:44 remaining in the half and the Lions roaring over Washington 22-0.

On the Commanders’ first offensive possession, Wentz dropped back on 3rd & 4 from the 38, was forced up into the pocket and did not pass the ball, looked a second time for a receiver, and was sacked by Aidan Hutchinson.

However, punter Tress Way hit a beautiful high punt that landed on the Lions 2-yard line, bounced up softly to be easily downed by the Commanders, forcing the Lions to start on their 1 or 2 yard line, but rookie Christian Holmes for some reason couldn’t complete the play.

The Commanders had blown a wonderful opportunity, setting the stage for the remainder of an embarrassing half of football for the Burgundy and Gold and their fan base.

 

 

Phidarian Mathis learning in the NFL and the DMV

Phidarian Mathis has the right attitude about working hard and waiting his turn.

Phidarian Mathis is glad to be a Washington Commander.

The rookie from Alabama enjoyed his first training camp. “It was very exciting to be out there with the guys. It was a dream come true for me. It was amazing just being out there with my defensive linemen and just playing the game that I love.”

Admittedly, there was some surprise the first preseason game.
“The game is fast. That’s something that was very surprising to me. Just going into the game I knew it was going to be fast, but to get to actually see it. That was one of the things that I felt the difference from college ball.”

Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen are being good models for Mathis. “I’m just really learning how to be a pro. Just watching how those guys come to practice, how they work hard, how they take the game seriously, just watching their leadership, just falling in line, being right behind those guys, and just trying to learn from them every day.”

Mathis realizes it will take time to be a starter. “I’m not a selfish guy, I had to wait my time in Alabama. I was there five years, so I understand what it means to wait. But you can’t look at it like that. You got to look at it like, just come to practice, get better every day, and just be ready when your time comes.”

Phidarian and his family had to be informed on what the DMV means.
“Yeah, they are all caught up. I’m from the country, so nobody knows too much about the DMV. So I had to learn it myself, but everybody is on track now.”

The rookie enjoys watching the film of former ‘Bama defensive linemen now in the NFL. “We got so many guys in the NFL that I can lean on, especially defensive tackle-wise. I got Jon (Allen) and Payne (Daron) here. I got Quinnen Williams (Jets) and  (Christian) Barmore (Patriots). There are so many guys I can name. Just really watching their film and just seeing how they do things.”

There is one thing Mathis really enjoys about NFL training camp.
“Not going to school. You get to just play football. You can be around football all day. I think that’s kind of the (most fun) thing, just coming out here, playing football, knowing that you don’t have to stay up late to study for a test, or anything like that.”