Watch: Commanders LB Dante Fowler grabs first-career pick-six

Washington Commanders LB Dante Fowler evades a futile tackle attempt from Carolina Panthers QB Andy Dalton after intercepting a pass Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Watch: Commanders LB Dante Fowler notches first-career pick-six vs. Panthers

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Oct 20, 2024 4:50 PM ET

It took 132 career games for Washington Commanders edge-rusher Dante Fowler to record his first NFL interception, but the nine-year veteran made it worth the wait.

Fowler picked off Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton on Sunday, returning it 67 yards for a touchdown to give the Commanders (4-2) a 7-0 advantage over the Panthers (1-5) only eight plays into the game. With pressure coming from Washington, the 31-year-old smartly cut in front of a dump-off attempt to running back Miles Sanders before taking it to the house.

DANTE FOWLER JR. PICK-6!

: #CARvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/JTuzB4p55Q
— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024

With the pick-six, Fowler equaled the Commanders' interception total on the year. Washington entered Week 7 with only one pick, tied for the fewest in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans.

Fowler's big play might be just what the Commanders needed to jump-start their defense. Two possessions later, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes picked off Dalton, giving Washington more interceptions through one quarter against the Panthers than they had over six games to start the season.

Emmanuel Forbes Jr. with the INT for the @commanders!

: #CARvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/ggCaT6QhUj
— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024

Signed as a free agent during the offseason, Fowler joined the Commanders hoping to bring experience to a line that traded Chase Young Montez Sweat last year. So far, on top of his pick-six on Sunday, the 2015 No. 3 overall pick has delivered, having nearly matched his sack total from 2023 (4.0), recording 3.5 QB take-downs less than halfway through the season.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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