Survey results!!
The offense of the Washington Commanders has been on fire, leading the league in points scored, points per game, scoring margin, and advanced metrics like EPA per play.
The defense has struggled more, currently ranking 18th in rushing yards allowed per game, 16th in total yards per game, and 15th in points per game given up. Several advanced metrics rank the Washington defense lower; for example, by DVOA, the Commanders rank 23rd (Vikings rank 1st, Jaguars rank last).
Anyone who has watched the Commanders play football for the first 7 weeks of the regular season is likely to feel that the defense has been improving. Tackling, which looked pretty bad against the Buccaneers in Week 1, has gotten better. Also, after going 5 weeks without an interception, the Commanders picked off Lamar Jackson once in Week 6 and Andy Dalton twice in Week 7. After getting just 4 sacks in the first three games, the Commanders have improved the pass rushing statistics, and currently rank 12th in sacks per game for the season, but are tied for 4th in sacks per game over the most recent 3 games.
Still, just two weeks ago, Washington surrendered 484 yards of offense to the Ravens, and were unable to contain Baltimore’s passing or running attacks, with RB Derrick Henry and WR Zay Flowers each achieving 132 yards, with Henry running for 2 TDs.
As the Commanders defensive unit has worked to improve its communication and execution this season, some players have shined more than others.
Dante Fowler, for example, leads the team in sacks (4.5) and returned his first-ever interception for a touchdown to open the scoring last Sunday against the Panthers. His fellow defensive ends, Dorance Armstrong and Clelin Ferrell, have each missed some time due to injury, but have added another 5 sacks between them. Against the Panthers, 2nd year CB Emmanuel Forbes was responsible for the game’s second interception. Per Pro Football Reference, Bobby Wagner leads the team with 62 tackles, putting him on pace for 151 for the full season.
With many players shining in many individual ways on a defensive unit that hasn’t positively distinguished itself overall very often this season, we asked Hogs Haven readers this week to tell us which of the Commanders’ defensive player is having the best season.
The results were pretty overwhelming.
A very strong majority — 78% of those responding to our survey question — identified LB Frankie Luvu, a key offseason free agent signing, as the player on the defensive side of the ball who is having the best season.
To appreciate Frankie Luvu, you probably have to see him play. It’s almost impossible to talk or write about the veteran linebacker without using the words “energy” and “excitement”, though those traits don’t always show up on the stats sheet.
Dan Quinn named Luvu the defensive captain ahead of the Giants game in Week 2. Here’s how the team website reported that:
Luvu, who the team acquired during the offseason, established himself as one of the more exciting additions to the defense during training camp. His energy and ability to make plays at multiple spots on the field has earned his teammates’ respect, and started off his Washington career against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with five tackles.
“Some of the words I described for him were just relentless,” Quinn said. “The energy that he gives to our team, to the building is awesome.”
While off-the-ball linebackers are usually judged on tackles made, it’s important to realize that part of Luvu’s value to the team is his ability to do much more than simply plug run gaps and cover tight ends. Per PFF, Luvu has lined up as part of the defensive line (basically, a pass rusher) 72 times in his 392 defensive snaps this season.
And he has been effective in that role, with his 4 sacks being second only to team leader Dante Fowler.
Luvu’s best game of the season came against the Browns, when he was awarded a game ball in the locker room:
Against the Browns, Luvu…delivered highlight-reel plays, including a team high 2.5 sacks.
To go with the multiple sacks and seven tackles, Luvu added a fumble recovery to his tally, picking up a loose ball that Wagner helped knock free in the third. Overall, it was a career-day for the 28-year-old and defensive performance Washington fans haven’t seen for some time. Luvu became the first player since Ryan Kerrigan in 2020 to have at least two sacks and a fumble recovery in a game.
WHERE MY DOGS AT@budlight | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/U71AjdcK0F
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 6, 2024
In the most recent game against the Panthers, Luvu had 4 tackles and added to his sack total, despite playing just 41 snaps in the one-sided matchup, by far his lowest snap count of the season.
Luvu’s energy, leadership, versatility and on-field play have made him — in the opinion of many fans, at least — the heart and soul of the Commanders defense.
The 28-year-old Luvu seems to be having fun playing in Washington, and he is under contract for another two seasons, through 2026.
Washington’s sudden and unexpected (by most NFL fans) resurgence has been led by many people, from owners to executives to coaches & players. While the spotlight has certainly been on rookie phenom QB Jayden Daniels in every game, on the other side of the ball, Frankie Luvu has been inspiring with his play style, attitude, energy and results.
With 10 games left in the regular season, Washington will be looking to Luvu to help finish what’s been started.
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