The Washington Football Team’s defense carried the franchise to the postseason in 2020. It finished the year with the second-best unit in the league and was expected to again challenge for the best defense in 2021 with the additions made in free agency and the draft. However, it’s been nothing short of a disaster through three games.
Washington’s defense currently ranks second-worst with 432.0 total yards allowed per game and fourth-worst in passing defense (307.0). Things have gotten worse each week and appeared to hit a climax this past Sunday during Washington’s 43-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen had a field day with 358 yards and four touchdowns while Washington struggled to contain slot receiver Cole Beasley, who caught a whopping 11 passes for 98 yards.
During a Tuesday interview on Team 980, reigning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young admitted something has to change on defense.
“I feel like everybody right now, we know what we have to change. Something has to change,” Young said, via NBC Sports Washington. “Right now, everybody is real urgent, holding each other accountable. At this point, it’s no other way. It has to be every man on the roster holding each other accountable and working to one mission. That’s where we’re trying to be at right now.”
So, what’s been the main issue for Washington’s defense? Well, it’s not one thing. Even the defensive line, which is Washington’s perceived strength, hasn’t been dominant. The pass rush created 26 pressures Sunday but failed to sack Allen once. Even Young is still searching for his first sack of the 2021 season. The linebackers have been a liability in coverage, and then the secondary has been incredibly disappointing. Free-agent addition William Jackson has struggled and fellow starting cornerback Kendall Fuller hasn’t been much better. Against Buffalo, Fuller allowed eight receptions for a game-high 104 yards, per PFF.
This unit has to come together and start playing on the same page. Like Young said, something has to change.
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