Fans love to talk.
Commanders fans are no different, and today I noticed some Commanders fans really upset regarding Kevin Sheehan over on 980 AM the Team, saying the Commanders had the worst defense in the NFC East division last season (2021).
Did Kevin Sheehan really just say that Washington arguably has the worst defense on paper in the NFC East? I don’t think I can take him seriously after that.
— PedroSchmith (@PedroSchmithYT) May 19, 2022
So, I thought, why not simply look up the numbers and see what they themselves say to me.
However, before I reveal the numbers, it is also true that Washington was hurt tremendously in Weeks 14 and 15 by a COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, it is also true in 2021 Washington faced great quarterbacks including Justin Herbert, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott (2), Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan and Derek Carr.
Therefore, before I begin, yes, I am fully aware that defensive teams stats can only reveal how you fared against the offenses you faced, and not all teams faced the same quality of offenses.
In 2021 here are some of Washington’s team defensive statistical rankings:
Yards from scrimmage allowed (11th), yards per offensive play (26th), defensive takeaways (22nd), first downs allowed (17th), pass completions allowed (21st), passing yards allowed (29th), passing touchdowns allowed (32nd), defensive interceptions (22nd), net yards allowed per pass attempt (28th), first downs allowed passing (28th), rushing yards allowed (8th), rushing touchdowns allowed (11th), rushing yards allowed per attempt (8th), rushing first downs allowed (8th), percentage of drives ending in an offensive score (26th), percentage of drives ending in an offensive turnover (20th), expected points contributed by all defense (25th).
I noticed 24 defenses missed more tackles than Washington, so effort to be physical in tackling was not an issue. Washington was also 16th in sacks, while 9th in QB Knockdowns, 16th in QB Hurries, 7th in Yards after the catch, 31st in Total Air Yards on Completions.
Not sure what exactly to conclude, other than the good quarterbacks in the NFL had much success against the Washington pass defense, though Washington was applying average to above average pressure.
Thus the back seven is of greater concern. Consequently we have been told Jamin Davis will switch to outside linebacker, Cole Holcomb to middle linebacker. Washington drafted Percy Butler (safety). They drafted Phidarian Mathis and signed Efe Obada after losing Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle in free agency.