Tag: S Quan Martin

Quick facts from Commanders’ playoff road win over Detroit Lions

Several quick facts and stats from Commanders’ playoff win over Lions.

The Commanders are unbelievably going to the NFC Championship game after defeating the Lions 45-31 in Detroit.

Here are some of the quick facts from the Commanders’ 14th win of the season:

  • The Commanders entered Saturday’s game as either a 9.5 or 10 pt underdog against the Lions.
  • Washington won the turnover battle 5-0, with four interceptions of Jared Goff and a sack-fumble of Goff.
  • With the win, next week will be Washington’s first NFC Championship game since the 1991 season (33 years).
  • Rookie corner Mike Sainristil collected two interceptions.
  • Second-year safety Quan Martin’s pick-six from 40 yards is the second defensive touchdown for the Commanders this season. It was also the first pick-six of his NFL career.
  • Jayden Daniels completed 22 of 31 for 299 yards, two passing touchdowns, and no interceptions or sacks.
  • RB Austin Ekeler was huge, gaining 47 yards on six carries while also contributing 41 receiving yards on four receptions (88 yards from scrimmage).
  • The Washington defense, which has struggled at times this season, forced five Lions turnovers, sacked Jared Goff twice, and had five tackles for a loss.
  • Though the Commanders struggled terribly to run the ball in recent weeks, tonight, they ran 42 times, gaining 182 yards. Brian Robinson, Jayden Daniels, and Austin Ekeler rushed for 77, 51, and 47, respectively.
  • Last year’s team under Ron Rivera won four games. This year’s team under Dan Quinn is four quarters from the Super Bowl.
  • Sadly for Detroit fans, the Lions remain the only NFC team never to reach the Super Bowl.
  • Jared Goff came into the game tonight 1-4 against Dan Quinn. Tonight, Goff had four interceptions and one lost fumble.
  • The Commanders’ defense had no answer for Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs, as he gained 105 rushing yards on only 14 carries and 70 receiving yards on six receptions (175 total yards from scrimmage).
  • The 42 points scored in the second quarter are the most in NFL playoff history (Washington 28, Detroit 14). Before tonight, the Lions had a +128-point differential in the second quarter.
  • The Commanders came up with several big plays: Quan Martin’s 40-yard pick-six, completions to Terry McLaurin (58 yards), Dyami Brown (42 yards), Austin Ekeler (24 yards), John Bates (20 yards).
  • The Lions were in the red zone, about to go up 14-3, when DE Dorrance Armstrong sacked Jared Goff, forcing a fumble that LB Frankie Luvu recovered.

Commanders’ five best defensive plays through 13 games

What are the Commanders’ five best defensive plays so far this season?

What are the five best defensive plays for the Commanders in their first 13 games this 2024 season?

Over at Commanders.com, Zach Selby has put together a video and commentary on what he feels are the top five defensive plays by the Commanders.

Selby does good work, and fans can learn from him about some of the inner workings of the Commanders. He also provides some player features and interviews that fans might enjoy.

However, one objection I have, not to Selby personally, is that one of the five plays is not a defensive play. It would have been officially registered as a special teams snap rather than a defensive snap for the Commanders. But other than that, Selby’s choices are all appropriate.

Here are Selby’s top five defensive plays. See if you agree with him.

  • Dante Fowler’s Pick Six vs the Panthers in the opening drive for Carolina in the Week 7 game.
  • Quan Martin’s blocked field goal vs the Cowboys in Week 12 home game.
  • Benjamin St-Juste’s strip fumble against the Giants in Week 2 home game at Northwest Stadium.
  • Mike Sainristil’s interception against the Ravens in Baltimore in their Week 6 contest.
  • Mike Sainristil rips the ball from Titans running back Tony Pollard, giving the Commanders a short field as they raced to a 28-0 second-quarter lead against Tennessee at Northwest Stadium on Week 13.

What are your top-five defensive plays through Washington’s first 13 games? Let us know.

Who are the Commanders’ captains for Week 9 vs. Giants?

Who are the Commanders’ captains for Week 9?

What did it mean Friday that Dan Quinn had his cap facing forward during his press conference?

No, I am not making too much of it, but it was quite noticeable that Coach Quinn was not adorning his cap in his usual backward mode.

More significantly, Quinn named the three captains for Sunday’s Week 9 contest at the New York Giants. Quinn said receiver Noah Brown, safety Quan Martin, and tight end John Bates will lead the Commanders on Sunday.

“I just love the toughness these guys have, what they bring. So, it’s fun part of every Friday talking to the team about those three,” said Quinn.

With the cut-down day, all 32 teams had reduced their rosters to 53. The Commanders signed 12 players to their practice squad the following day. The next day, Brown was still available, so the Commanders grabbed him for free and signed him to the 53-man roster.


Brown not only has a Hail Mary-winning touchdown on his 2024 resume, but he also has 17 catches for 258 yards, averaging 15.8 yards a reception. Twelve of those catches have been for first downs, moving the chains, and his lone touchdown is one he will recall for the rest of his life.

Martin was a second-round choice in Ron Rivera’s last draft (2023). Last week, Martin recorded 11 tackles (nine solo, two assists), with one being for a loss. Starting all eight games thus far this season, he has 31 solo tackles and 13 assists.

In his fourth season out of Boise State, some might point to Bates only starting two games this season and only recording three receptions. However, Quinn quickly volunteered regarding Bates, “John, just all the energy he brings. There’s a lot of the dirty work that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. So, all three of those guys, they’ll lead us this week.”

Quinn concluded by expressing it had been a “good week of practice, tough division matchup, and seven weeks ago, good fight. Expect the same good fight, hard, however long it takes. Five quarters, longer mindset. And so that’s where we’re at.”

Perhaps the cap on the correct way indicated Quinn really means business this week (Insert wink)?

Commanders’ Week 4 game captains and injury report

Quinn named three deserving captains and an injury update for the game at the Cardinals, Sunday.

Friday, Dan Quinn met with the media informing them of the Week 4 game captains and injuries update.

Quinn stated the captains for Sunday against the Cardinals will be guard Nick Allegretti, safety Quan Martin and running back Jeremy McNichols.

All three players have been praised this week, so it is no coincidence of their being rewarded this week. In the Week 3 win at Cincinnati, tight end Zach Ertz caught a Jayden Daniels pass, but fumbled when hit. Fortunately for the team, Allegretti was not standing there watching the play. No, immediately following the reception, Allegretti began running downfield to trail the play. When the loose ball hit the turf, there was Allegretti to alertly pounce on it, recovering Ertz’ fumble, keeping the drive alive.

Safety Quan Martin has been mentioned by name by defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Whitt named Martin as one of his four players who are meeting the standard he set in training camp. Again this week, Whitt named Martin as a player Whitt really thinks is playing well.

McNichols seized the attention of coaches, teammates and fans for the way he played tough when called upon when Austin Ekeler was knocked out of the Bengals game with a concussion. In particular, on the 3rd & 7 with 2:15 remaining, when Daniels dropped back, the Bengals sent a couple of blitzers. McNichols picked up on blitzer, not only in the technical term, but literally lifted him off of the ground in a beautiful blitz pick up. This was the inside blitzer, who, had he not been picked up, Daniels would never have had time to make his game-winning touchdown toss to Terry McLaurin.

Those injured who will not play against the Cardinals? Quinn declared Clelin Ferrell (knee), Austin Ekeler (concussion) and Jamison Crowder (calf) as out for Sunday’s game.

Commanders’ DC Joe Whitt waiting for a couple of cornerbacks to stand up

Whitt seems happy with safety play, but not cornerback.

“Once we get everybody healthy, then we can see where we are going to put Mikey (Sainristil).”

That was Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., talking with the media on Thursday.

The Commanders’ corners have struggled in coverage in their three games. They have the worst third-down defense (61.4%) and are tied for second worst in red zone defense when it comes to giving up touchdowns.

Whitt referred to Emmanuel Forbes’ thumb injury and their moving Sainristil outside for Forbes. With Forbes possibly playing Sunday, might Whitt move Sainristil back inside of corners Benjamin St-Juste and Forbes?

Then, he dropped this revelation. “It’s fluid. Nobody’s really said, ‘Hey, this is where I am going to be’. We’re waiting for a couple of guys to do that. Once that happens, it will solidify what we are going to do.”

Whitt was saying, he has played five corners and he hasn’t been satisfied with any of them. He is tired of this and he wants a couple of guys to step up, be agents of change and set the pace by being reliable and dependable.

When asked if he expects Forbes to play a significant role, Whitt did not respond in the affirmative. He expressed, “I expect each week it is going to be different people…I do expect whoever goes out there to play winning football. I do expect that.”

A second time, Whitt was asked about Forbes in particular. A second time, he replied about every corner. Whitt didn’t want to talk about Forbes. It’s his prerogative, and even more, no one knows that defense and their personnel better than Joe Whitt Jr.

Whitt then made a very important distinction. “I’ve been pleased with the safety group, their range and the way they have been playing.” He then complimented Quan Martin, Jeremy Chinn and Percy Butler. He made clear he also likes Darrick Forrest

Once again, the question was raised about the corners, and Whitt offered how they had disappointed.

“We haven’t found the group that is going to go out there. I’m still waiting on a couple of guys to say, ‘Hey, I am the guy that is going to do this each weekend.”

Whitt then emphatically added, “And I don’t care who it is.”

It sounds like Adam Peters will be looking for a couple of new corners in the next offseason.

 

Which four Commanders fit DC Joe Whitt’s playing style?

Which four Commanders have stood out to DC Joe Whitt Jr?

“Last week was still not “the play style” that we are desiring.”

That was how Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr began very early in his Friday time with the press.

Whitt did counter that the Week 2 game against the Giants was better than the opener against the Bucs.

“Give credit to both teams we have played, but a lot of our third-down ills are mistakes that we are making on different levels.” He said some were corrected in the second week, but some were still not, and the Commanders will correct them.

Whitt acknowledges his defense has made some positive plays but is frustrated with the reality that the defense is not getting off the field enough. “We’re causing some negative plays on first and second downs, but we get to third downs and for one reason or another (pause). We’ve had five penalties on defense, all five have come on third down. That’s something that can’t happen.”

Whitt made it clear he is concerned about Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, comparing him to Davonte Adams and alluding to a game in which Chase beat two double teams against the Cowboys.

It is no secret the cornerbacks have struggled. Whitt confirmed this Friday, saying, “We’re looking for the combination that’s going to give us the best chance…It will be a week-to-week deal throughout the defense of we think is going to give us the best opportunity to win the game we are about to face.”

When asked about Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne’s play, Whitt talked of rushing as a collective unit, staying in one’s rush lane being essential for all the defensive line.

Whitt later returned to “the play style,” pointing out Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, Ben (St-Juste) and Quan (Martin), “Those four men have been playing the play style.”

He also praised safety Percy Butler for making some nice open-field tackles that were difficult.

Commanders DC Joe Whitt: ‘I got to do a better job’

Washington defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. breaks down what all went wrong in Week 1, with an emphasis on one thing in particular.

Listening to Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., Thursday, you could hear the frustration of dealing with all that went wrong with the Commanders’ defense Sunday in Tampa.

The primary concern for Whitt on Thursday was how weak the Commanders’ defense was on third downs. On nine of thirteen third downs, the Commanders could not force a Buccaneer fourth down.

“”The inability to get off the field on third downs” is how Whitt succinctly summarized what lost the game. There are three major reasons that happened. “Losing leverage in certain situations. Times we did get to the quarterback, we didn’t get them down, and we had some communication issues.”

Then Whitt turned the forward direction on himself. “It’s my responsibility to make sure they don’t happen…It’s our job as coaches to make sure that the players are not thinking they are playing fast and that we are on the same page.”

Whitt wanted turnovers created by the defense, which is what he preached throughout the preseason. “We didn’t create any turnovers. We had real opportunity at one. We have to make those splash plays when we have them.”

When he took the job, Whitt enthusiastically asserted that the Commanders would be a defense that played with intensity and speed. He mentioned perhaps having as many as 18 people routinely rotating on the defense.

However, on Sunday, Bobby Wagner and Benjamin St-Juste played each defensive snap in that excessive heat and humidity. Mike Sainristil, Quan Martin, and Frankie Luvu were not far behind, playing 95, 92, and 92 percent of all defensive snaps, respectively. Why?

https://twitter.com/IvanLambert18/status/1832912981803376750

“Towards the end of the game, I just didn’t feel the speed that we talked about and that’s our responsibility to make sure we do a great job of rotating. We said we were going to roll with a deep crew, and we have to do that.”

So, look for the Commanders to rotate personnel more often on defense on Sunday.

The Commanders defense will look drastically different in Week 1

Washington’s defense will look drastically different on Sunday.

The Commanders wanted and needed a much different defense in 2024.

GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. are only starting three players at the same position this season. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are again at defensive tackle, while Benjamin St-Juste is again starting at corner.

If the Commanders start three corners against the Bucs, it will be St-Juste, Mike Sainristill, and Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes started six games in 2023, but Kendall Fuller started 15 and is now a Miami Dolphin.

https://Twitter.com/JayDanielsMVP/status/1827711554747523274

At safety, Kam Curl and Percy Butler have been replaced with Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin. Martin has been moved from a nickel back to safety, and Butler is now a backup.

Last year’s linebackers, Cody Barton and Jamin Davis (13 starts each), have been replaced with new starters Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner. Dante Fowler has been listed as a 12th starter at outside linebacker/edge rusher.

Montez Sweat and Chase Young were traded for draft choices, and this year’s starters at defensive end are Clelin Ferrell and Dorance Armstrong.

Peters in that introductory press conference said when asked about the roster (after a pause) “…We have a lot of work to do.” Peters only had so many draft choices, so he made a couple of trades, signed many free agents, and most to one-year deals. The man has been industrious because he realized he needed to be.

The defense is thus undergoing a major remodel, mostly a remake, a revamp. But more importantly, it had to be upgraded. Considering they gave up the most passing touchdowns and the most points in the league last year, this defense needed to be overhauled and rehabilitated.

Peters has done the work on paper. What Quinn and Whitt have accomplished on the practice field and in the meeting rooms remains to be seen.

Here’s hoping that on Sunday, the restored and reassembled defense gets off to a good start.