The Washington Football Team is off this week, and the bye couldn’t have come at a better time. At 2-6, Washington has lost four games in a row and is battling numerous injuries.
With the week off, it’s the perfect time to begin our review of the first half of Washington’s season.
There’s no better place to begin than the team’s most valuable player. For Washington, that player is fifth-year defensive tackle, Jonathan Allen.
Allen, who signed a four-extension over the summer, has 29 tackles, eight tackles for loss and six sacks through the first half of the 2021 season. While some of Allen’s teammates have underachieved this season, he continues to play at a high level. Allen is quietly one of the best defensive players in the NFL.
According to Pro Football Focus, Allen is the No. 3 interior defensive linemen in the NFL. Allen’s numbers match his tape. He wins with brute strength, athleticism and outstanding technique.
Jonathan Allen comes up with big pressure on third down, forcing Bridgewater to scramble after beating the LG quickly. Sweat then follows up and forces the ball to be thrown away pic.twitter.com/6dtBsMFUqq
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) October 31, 2021
He will never receive the recognition of a player like Aaron Donald, and understandably so, but Allen does the dirty work – and still makes plays.
Washington was wise to lock Allen up to an extension before the season. He is not only one of the best players on the team; he is also the ultimate leader.
Washington returns to the field in Week 10 as it hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedEx Field.