Rotational defensive lineman stand out as Commanders shut down Texans run game
The Commanders kept one of the most productive RBs in the league in check on Sunday & it wasn't just the big names that did it. The rotational pieces all contributed to the success of the run defense
The Washington Commanders put together a complete performance against the Texans on Sunday, but one of the most impressive aspects of the performance was the run defense. Entering the game, Texans’ running back Dameon Pierce was in the top 10 in the league for rushing yards and came into the game in good form. He just ran for a combined 233 yards on 44 carries over two games against the Eagles and Giants at 5.3 yards per carry. But the Commanders managed to hold Pierce to just 8 yards on 10 carries at less than a yard per carry.
It was a strong performance from the Commanders run defense that held one of the leading rushers to easily his worst statistical output of the season. So how did they do it? Well obviously the top three defensive lineman played a big role. Daron Payne continued his impressive season and Montez Sweat made plenty of plays on the edge. Jonathan Allen in particular was a standout throughout the game. He single-handedly blew up multiple plays.
This is the first run of the game by the Texans. They attempt to run a guard-tackle counter concept with the left guard pulling to the right side to kick out the edge defender while the left tackle follows behind him and wraps around to block the first defender on the second level. Allen aligns shaded to the left of the center. For this run scheme to work, the center has to block down on Allen and cut him off, allowing the guard and the tackle the ability to pull freely to the right side. However, Allen has other ideas. He quickly reads the pull of the two lineman to his side and uses a swim move to skip by the center. With both the guard and tackle pulling, nobody is left to block Allen, who charges into the backfield and makes the tackle on Pierce for a loss.
It was a terrific play by Allen, but while the big name defensive lineman had a big impact on the game, it was often the rest of the defensive line rotation that made the plays in the run game. Rotational defensive end Casey Toohill made a number of nice plays.
This time, the Texans look to work a zone scheme run to the right. Toohill aligns as the defensive end to the right side of the line, outside the right tackle. The tackle is responsible for Toohill and looks to gain control of the block before forcing him wider. However, off the snap Toohill surprises the tackle by stunting inside. The tackle is late to react, possibly hoping for help from the guard inside, who was occupied by Payne. That leaves a big gap for Toohill to attack as he breaks through the poor effort by the tackle to block him and makes the tackle in the backfield for another loss.
It wasn’t just Toohill that made plays either. Defensive tackle John Ridgeway and defensive end Efe Obada both made a number of nice plays in the run game, as did linebacker Jamin Davis. Ridgeway in particular showed his value inside as a stout run defender. He partnered up with various other defenders to make a number of run stops.
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