‘We just have to keep training’ – Dan Quinn confirms the defense will eventually do the one thing everyone is waiting for
The defense has been much improved, except for one key area.
Going into the season, there were a lot of questions and concerns with the Washington Commanders’ defense, and we’ve already seen a vast improvement through three games compared to what we saw last year.
We were waiting to see how a couple of new additions and positions would play out, and the defense has improved in the run game and on third downs, but not in one key area. The Commanders have yet to register a turnover this season, and now we wait for it to happen.
The positives on the Commanders’ defense
We have to give kudos to the areas the defense has drastically improved in, and that starts with third downs. The Commanders currently have the best third-down defense in the league, and the lowest conversion rate by their opponents at only 28.57%. The Raiders were only three for 14 and had no chance to establish long drives on offense. Last season, the Commanders finished 16th on third-down defense, and hopefully keep this trend going.
The Commanders have also improved their run defense after being the third-worst in the league last year, and currently have the second-best run defense grade on PFF. They’ve had to face some solid running backs to start the season, and they’ve passed the test.
Where are the turnovers, though?
As good as the run defense, third downs, and even pressures have been this season, everyone wants to see turnovers, and the Commanders have yet to register a single one so far. The Commanders are one of only three teams that haven’t had a turnover on defense, joining the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars already have nine through three games. The Commanders did sign Darnell Savage, who may be able to help with turnovers as well.
Trey Amos was close to having the first one on Sunday after he deflected a pass that could’ve been caught by either him or Will Harris as they ran into each other. This was a talking point on Monday, and head coach Dan Quinn stated that it’s coming.
“Yeah, you want to make sure you’re training the guys correctly and at practice,” Quinn said. “Are we taking the right shots? Are we taking the right angles? Thought we had a chance for an interception, we didn’t get to it, but you do have to go in with the mindset to say, we’re going to go play our technique first, play it aggressively, and then be willing to go get the ball. I do feel like they’re going to come; we just have to keep training. The guys keep digging in for it. It’s definitely a drought, so it’s time to get out of the drought, but they don’t just give them to you either.”
The Commanders are preparing for a struggling Atlanta Falcons team that was shut out by the Carolina Panthers, and had three turnovers on offense, including two interceptions by Michael Penix Jr. This seems like the perfect week to continue to bring pressure, stop Bijan Robinson, and get the first turnover of the season.
Washington Commanders News
Marcus Mariota’s performance may give the Commanders a difficult decision regarding Jayden Daniels’ return
The Commanders have a tough decision to make thanks to Mariota.
