Kendall Fuller, Commanders Defense Stepped Up In Win vs. Falcons

The fourth quarter proved the Commanders mettle on defense. Atlanta drove into the red zone with a chance to tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion, but a defensive stand ended with a Benjamin St-Juste interception in the end zone with 5:17 left. 

After a quick three-and-out by the Washington offense, the Falcons got the ball back at their 42-yard line with 3:29 left to play. The Commanders' defense answered the bell again, forcing a turnover on downs. 

Washington's offense couldn't ice the game with a first down, putting the honus on its defense once more with two minutes left. Ridder and the Falcons marched into Commanders' territory, but linebacker Jamin Davis put the final nail in the coffin with Washington's third interception of the game.

"We took the football away," Rivera said. "That gave us the opportunity more than anything else." 

Washington's defense also forced a turnover on downs in the second quarter, which led to a seven-yard touchdown from Howell to Curtis Samuel to give them a 17-7 lead. 

Safety Kamren Curl, Fuller and St-Juste each had multiple passes defended. Defensive end Casey Toohill had two sacks plus a tackle for loss, while Davis also had a sack along with a pass defended.

When the going got tough, it could have been easy for the defense to fold. Instead, they rose to the occasion and played like the unit that was expected to carry this team heading into the season. Now, they're 3-3 with a chance to get over .500 this Sunday when they face the New York Giants (1-5) at MetLife Stadium at 1 p.m.

If the Commanders defense can continue to play at a high level, they may find themselves in the thick of the NFC playoff picture as their schedule toughens and the games become more meaningful. But for now, their performance on the road against the Falcons was a huge step in the right direction after a rough four-game stretch.