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Pro Football Focus (Premium content)
LT Brandon Coleman
LG Chris Paul
C Nick Allegretti
RG Andrew Wylie
RT Josh Conerly Jr.
The Commanders placed right guard Sam Cosmi on injured reserve last week due to a concussion, which thrust Nick Allegretti into the lineup against the Cowboys on Christmas Day. Allegretti struggled and earned a 44.9 PFF pass-blocking grade, though.
To make matters worse, center Tyler Biadasz suffered a lower leg injury in the loss. As a result, Allegretti moved inside to center and Andrew Wylie entered the game at right guard. Wylie earned a 42.3 PFF overall grade against the Cowboys in Week 17.
Paul’s 77.0 PFF pass-blocking grade this season ranks sixth among all guards.
Commanders.com
Newton, lined up to the fight of center Cooper Beebe, had to fight off a double team and then go around fellow defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, which ended up obscuring him from Prescott’s view. The next thing the quarterback knew, he was getting slung to the ground for an eight-yard loss.
That opportunity came last week when it was announced that Daron Payne would miss the rematch against the Cowboys with a back injury. Although the Commanders fell to 4-12 with a 30-23 loss, Newton provided a glimpse of what his future could hold with three sacks and five quarterback hits, both of which were single-game career highs.
Pro Football Focus gave him the seventh best pass rush grade among defensive tackles in Week 17 ahead of players like Jalen Carter and Quinnen Williams.
It was an encouraging sign for what could come next in Newton’s career.
It was the first multi-sack game of his career, and he became the first [Washington] player to record at least 3.0 sacks in a single game since Preston Smith in Week 16 of 2015. His five quarterback hits were the most in a single game since Ryan Kerrigan (5) in Week 6 of the 2016 season.
It’s unclear what Newton’s workload will be in Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Daron Payne returned to practice as a full participant from his back injury, which would put him in line to return as the starter. But Newton showed that he can be a disruptive pass rusher, as he accounted for half of the Commanders’ six sacks.
ESPN
League sources consider it likely that Washington makes a change at defensive coordinator after Joe Whitt Jr. was stripped of playcalling duties earlier this season. The Commanders are 31st in total defense. Injuries and a lack of pass rush personnel have contributed, but coach Dan Quinn faces a critical third season in Washington and appears poised to make changes. Quinn has been calling the...
