Tag: Jonathan Allen

Ron Rivera, Jason Wright sign letter to the bosses of fans for excused time on Monday

There’s a pretty big game at FedEx Field on Sunday night.

In case you haven’t heard, there’s a pretty big game at FedEx Field on Sunday night. The Washington Commanders [7-5-1] host the New York Giants [7-5-1] in a game that could determine each team’s playoff fate.

Washington enters Sunday’s game winners of five of its last seven games. The Giants are going in the opposite direction, going 1-4-1 in their previous six games.

As of now, the Commanders hold the NFC’s No. 6 playoff spot, while the Giants are in possession of the seventh and final spot. A victory gives the winner around a 90% chance of making the playoffs.

Washington head coach Ron Rivera and team president Jason Wright understand the importance of this game and on Friday, signed a letter that was published on the team’s official Twitter account. The letter was to the bosses of fans, providing an excuse to the employee if they come in a bit late Monday after Washington’s Sunday night game.

After the two teams tied in Week 13, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen said he wanted to see FedEx Field rocking and would buy tickets for fans and give them away on Twitter.

Allen followed up on that promise.

The Commanders have done more to encourage fans to attend games this year. While some fans remain skeptical as long as Daniel Snyder owns the team, winning fixes a lot of things. Washington is home for three of its final four games.

4 matchups to watch for Commanders vs. Giants

Here are four matchups that could determine the outcome of Washington’s Week 15 game against the New York Giants.

The Washington Commanders [7-5-1] face the New York Giants [7-5-1] Sunday in a game with major playoff implications.

When was the last time these old rivals faced one another with so much on the line? Well, it was actually two weeks ago when Washington and New York ended in a 20-20 tie. But before the Week 13 game, late-season games between the Commanders and Giants often involve who will own the highest pick in the NFL draft.

Not this time around.

The mathematical odds have determined that Sunday’s winner has around a 90% chance of making the playoffs.

We’ve picked four matchups that could determine the outcome of Sunday’s battle between the longtime NFC East foes.

 

4 keys to victory for the Commanders in Week 15 vs. Giants

If the Commanders do these four things Sunday, they will beat the Giants.

Here we are again. Two weeks after the Washington Commanders and New York Giants met in the Meadowlands, the two old NFC East rivals are back at it again. This time, it’s under the lights on Sunday Night Football.

This is arguably the most significant game in this rivalry in over 30 years. Considering these teams tied just two weeks ago, the stakes are even bigger as Washington and New York hold identical 7-5-1 records. The winner of this game is well-positioned to earn one of the NFC’s final two wild-card spots. The loser can still make the playoffs, but the road will be much more difficult.

How can Washington win the rematch? We’ve identified four keys to the victory for the Commanders in Week 15.

Taylor Heinicke hopes more Commanders fans show up to FedEx Field than Giants fans

Heinicke remembers the last prime-time game against the Giants from FedEx Field.

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke has been around long enough to know that FedEx Field isn’t necessarily a home-field advantage. Far too often over the years, fans of opposing teams have filled up Washington’s home stadium, particularly fans of the Commanders’ three NFC East rivals.

After the Commanders tied the New York Giants in Week 13, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen said he wanted FedEx Field packed for the Week 15 rematch against the Giants. Allen said he would help by buying between 100 and 200 tickets for Washington fans.

Allen lived up to his word last week.

On Wednesday, Heinicke was asked what type of atmosphere he expected for the Week 15 edition of Sunday Night Football.

“Hopefully, we have more fans than Giants,” Heinicke answered.

The quarterback of a home team shouldn’t have to answer a question like that, but Washington hasn’t given its fans a lot to cheer for over the years. In addition, FedEx Field is the NFL’s worst stadium, and many fans refuse to attend home games as long as owner Daniel Snyder remains.

“I remember last year, Thursday night game it was pretty much 50/50,” Heinicke said of last season’s Week 2 game against the Giants that Washington won on a last-second field goal.

“So, hopefully, our guys come out Sunday night and make some noise. It’ll be a crazy atmosphere, and both of our teams are in the fight for a playoff spot, so it’s gonna be a big one.”

The Commanders have four games remaining — three at home. Washington fans have a lot to cheer for right now, and the players certainly deserve that support on Sunday.

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Commanders punter Tress Way leads all NFL punters in Pro Bowl fan voting

Fan voting ends Tuesday, and Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Terry McLaurin need some help.

If the fans are to have any say, Washington Commanders punter Tress Way will earn his second Pro Bowl in February.

Washington’s longest-tenured player leads all NFL punters in fan voting as of Monday. Fan voting closes on Tuesday, Dec. 15, and Pro Bowl rosters will be announced next week on Dec. 21.

Fan voting is 1/3 of the process, as coaches and players make up the rest of the vote.

Way is undoubtedly deserving of the award. He averages 47 yards per punt, with a net of 43.6. Way has landed 30 punts inside the 20-yard, which is No. 1 in the NFL. Opponents are averaging only six yards per return against Way, which is No. 4 in the NFL.

Way is a weapon for Washington’s outstanding defense. When the offense struggles, Way is often asked to punt the Commanders out of trouble, which he usually does.

Unfortunately, defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne remain No. 4 and No. 7 in Pro Bowl voting. Both players deserve the Pro Bowl nomination. In addition, wide receiver Terry McLaurin is No. 8, while long snapper Camaron Cheeseman ranks No. 4.

Way’s lone Pro Bowl came in 2019 when he was also named second-team All-Pro.

Fans have one last day to help Washington’s players earn a trip to the Pro Bowl.

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Commanders’ statistical leaders at the bye week

Every statistical leader for the Washington Commanders through 13 games.

The Washington Commanders sit at 7-5-1 on the bye week after winning five of their previous seven games. The Commanders headed into the bye after a 20-20 tie with the New York Giants in Week 13.

It’s a late bye week for Washington, but it comes at the perfect time. The Commanders suffered multiple injuries on the offensive line in Week 13, and the extra rest is needed.

When the Commanders return from the bye in Week 15, they’ll host the Giants in a rematch that could determine the playoff fates of both longtime rivals.

Here are Washington’s statistical leaders through 13 games of the 2022 NFL season.

Montez Sweat proving his worth to the Commanders

Quietly, Montez Sweat is having a fantastic season.

This 2022 season with the Commanders, now at 7-5-1, it seems each week there is praise for Washington’s dynamic duo of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

Rightfully so, I might add. However, sometimes when some players are being given much praise, what is often overlooked is the performance of another. In this case, Montez Sweat.

Sweat, a defensive end out of Mississippi State is in his fourth season and is making it a very good season. Sweat in his rookie season was an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. But now in his third season at defensive end in a 4-3, Sweat is maturing into a significant contributor to the Commanders defense.

For example, in 2020, Sweat recorded 12 tackles for a loss (a career-high). Well, Sweat this season already has 12 tackles for a loss. Again in 2020, Sweat produced 20 quarterback hits in his 16 games. In 13 games this season, Sweat has distributed 24 quarterback hits.

As for quarterback sacks, Sweat in 2020 recorded 9.0, and now with four games remaining in 2022, Sweat is at 7.0 sacks.

Sweat has frankly been living in the shadow of Chase Young, Allen and Payne. But this year, he is proving what he can actually do. Which thus far is more than Young has. But of course, Young was injured in year two and has yet to play in year three.

The NFL is a business and decisions like these Sweat or Young, are not going to be easy for Commander’s management to make or the fan base to accept. For now, doesn’t it seem unlikely the Commanders will be able to keep and pay all four of these defensive linemen for the long term?

But for now, isn’t Sweat proving himself worthy of gaining the financial commitment of the Commanders leadership?

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7 takeaways from the Commanders’ first 13 games of the 2022 season

We look back at Washington’s first 13 games. Here are seven takeaways from the Commanders’ season thus far.

Expectations weren’t high for the Washington Commanders heading into the 2022 NFL season. While useless projections had the Commanders maxed out at seven wins for the season in most cases, head coach Ron Rivera was always optimistic.

Remember when Rivera said, multiple times, year three of a regime was critical, and you’d begin to see positive results? Rivera knew last offseason he needed to upgrade the quarterback position. The Commanders tried to trade for Russell Wilson and Jimmy Garoppolo, but for different reasons, neither deal worked out. In Wilson’s case, Washington is fortunate that the deal never materialized.

Instead, the Commanders traded for Carson Wentz. Almost no one thought it was a smart move, insisting Washington should’ve waited for Indianapolis to release him.

Well, through six games, Wentz led the Commanders to a 2-4 record, and he completed 62% of his passes for 1,489 yards, with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions before an injury sidelined him in Week 6.

Taylor Heinicke replaced him in the lineup, leading the Commanders to wins in five of their last seven games. Washington is 7-5-1 at the bye week and hosts the New York Giants in a critical rematch from FedEx Field in Week 15.

With four games remaining after the bye, the Commanders will be playing meaningful football throughout December and into January. For now, let’s look back at the first 13 games.

Which Commanders are in the NFL’s top 10 statistics?

Several Washington players rank in the top 10 of various NFL statistics this season.

In this 2022 NFL season, which Washington Commanders players are among the league leaders’ top 10 in their respective categories as players?

The source for these statistics is ProFootballReference.com

  • Longest Pass: Carson Wentz (4th) and six others for 75 yards.
  • Pick-sixes: Taylor Heinicke and four others (2) and seven have one.
  • Pass attempts per game: Carson Wentz (6th) with 38.7
  • Pass completions per game: Carson Wentz (8th) 24.0
  • Comebacks: Taylor Heinicke (2) is tied for 9th with 8 players
  • Longest reception: Dyami Brown one of six tied for 4th, 75 yards
  • Receiving yards: Terry McLaurin (8th) with 945.
  • Yards per reception: Terry McLaurin (10th) with 15.2
  • All-purpose yards: Antonio Gibson (9th) 1,115
  • Yards per kick return: Antonio Gibson (6th) with 23.6
  • Punt return yards: Dax Milne (8th) 233
  • Kick and punt returns: Dax Milne (T1st) with 42
  • Punts: Tress Way (T2nd) with 66
  • Punting yards: Tress Way (4th) 3,101
  • Punt returns: Dax Milne (2nd) with 30
  • Tackles for loss: Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne (T2nd) with 15
  • Passes defended: Kendall Fuller (T7th) 11
  • Fumbles forced: Jonathan Allen (T10th) 2

 

Where do some Commanders stand in the latest Pro Bowl voting?

There is still a week remaining for fans to vote for their favorite Commanders

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen made his first Pro Bowl in 2021. Allen recorded 62 tackles, including 10 for loss, nine sacks and 30 quarterback hits.

Allen has been even better in 2022, recording 53 tackles, 15 for loss, 7.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits with four games remaining.

His longtime teammate, Daron Payne, is having his breakout campaign this season. Payne has 51 tackles, 15 for loss, 8.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits. All are career-highs except tackles, which he could realistically set in the final four games.

Could both Allen and Payne make the Pro Bowl?

According to the current fan voting for the Pro Bowl, Allen is ranked No. 6 among defensive tackles, with Payne behind him at No. 9.

Seriously?

Allen and Payne aren’t just playing at a Pro Bowl level; they are playing at an All-Pro level. They are tied for second in the NFL in tackles for loss and are the top defensive tackles on the list.

Fortunately, fan votes count for only 1/3 of the voting, as coaches and players comprise the rest of the selection process. However, there is still plenty of time for fans to make their voices heard. You can vote for your favorite players on NFL.com, the team’s official website, or Twitter. To vote on Twitter, fans must include the first and last name of the player, the player’s Twitter handle, or a hashtag of the player’s first and last name. Whichever method you choose, you must always include #ProBowlVote in your tweet.

Where do some other Commanders stand?

  • WR Terry McLaurin: No. 7 among WRs
  • DE Montez Sweat: No. 10 among DEs
  • P Tress Way: No. 2 among Ps
  • LS Camaron Cheeseman: No. 3 among LSs

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