Commanders PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Bills in Week 3
Sunday was a day to forget for the Washington Commanders. The Buffalo Bills destroyed the Commanders 37-3 at FedEx Field, where very little went right for Washington.
As usual, some players stood out, just fewer than normal. It was a terrible day for quarterback Sam Howell and the offensive line.
What about the defense? While the lack of pressure was an issue, that side of the ball held it together reasonably well until the fourth quarter, when the wheels came off.
Pro Football Focus graded the Commanders from Sunday, and we review the highest graded — and the lowest graded.
Top 5 offense
RB Brian Robinson Jr: 82.8
RG Sam Cosmi: 80.2
WR Terry McLaurin: 69.2
WR Curtis Samuel: 69.0
RT Andrew Wylie: 67.5
Robinson was excellent, unfortunately, he played only 20 snaps and had just 10 carries. He rushed for 70 yards. His streak of 10 consecutive games with at least 50 rushing yards or more leads the NFL.
Cosmi has emerged as Washington’s best offensive lineman. He just needs to stay healthy.
Wylie’s grade is puzzling. He gave up multiple pressures, yet PFF graded him as giving up one. Don’t agree with that one.
How was this any good by Wylie… I have to ask? pic.twitter.com/SscsvPXFHp
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) September 25, 2023
Top 5 defense
CB Kendall Fuller: 92.1
S Percy Butler: 80.1
DT Daron Payne: 70.7
DE Montez Sweat: 70.7
LB Jamin Davis: 68.9
Fuller has been excellent this season. Teams aren’t really challenging him, and he makes a play when they do. He had Washington’s only turnover, as you see in the picture above.
Butler continues to stand out with his increased playing time.
Sweat didn’t record a sack or QB hit, but he did get some pressure on Josh Allen early in the game.
Payne was solid as always, as he recorded another tackle for loss.
Davis continues to quietly play well.
Bottom 5 offense
TE John Bates: 52.6
RB Antonio Gibson: 50.2
C Nick Gates: 46.7
LG Saahdiq Charles: 45.7
QB Sam Howell: 45.3
Tough day for Sam Howell. It was surprising he graded this well.
It’s not a surprise to see Charles and Gates on this list. The surprise is seeing Wylie among the top graded. He was not good.
Gibson had yet another fumble. How many more opportunities will coaches give him if he continues fumbling?
Bottom 5 defense
DT John Ridgeway: 54.8
DT Abdullah Anderson: 54.3
S Darrick Forrest: 53.5
LB Cody Barton: 44.8
DE James Smith-Williams: 41.1
Another week, another time when Cody Barton is among the lowest-ranked Washington defenders on the list. While we can all argue with some of PFF’s grading metrics, specifically at certain positions, but the eyes don’t lie on Barton. Perhaps he’s still getting comfortable in the defense. Regardless, if this trend continues, the Commanders need to play Khaleke Hudson.
Other notable grades
WR Jahan Dotson: 55.7
DE Chase Young: 56.7
S Kamren Curl: 61.5
DT Jonathan Allen: 66.1
CB Emmanuel Forbes: 55.2
Chase Young continues to play a lot of snaps. Young had a TFL but didn’t apply any real pressure on Josh Allen.
Rookie first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes was beaten for a big play early in the game and seemingly benched for a bit. Forbes has a ways to go, but he needs to play through it. His lower number of snaps from Sunday was more due to what Buffalo was doing than Washington sitting Forbes.
