"Against the Los Angeles Chargers and Chicago Bears, the initially formidable rush defense gave up an average of 150 yards per game. Most alarmingly, the per-rush figure rose two full yards, from 3.6 to 5.6. In those two contests, Dan Quinn's club looked much closer to the worst rush defense in the league than to the best. What happened, and can it be fixed?"
"He is a veteran edge who does not post elite pass rush numbers, but knows how to set an edge against the run. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has been cobbling together a replacement for Wise from his bench. Jacob Martin has taken the most snaps, but a committee including Jalyn Holmes, Von Miller, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and the recently signed Preston Smith has all logged time on the edge."
Washington's rush defense started the season allowing 107.5 rushing yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry through four games. Over the next two weeks, opponents averaged 150 rushing yards per game and Washington's per-rush average climbed to 5.6. Individual tackling issues have arisen, including Frankie Luvu being blocked and missing tackles, and Quan Martin and Jeremy Reaves struggling to bring runners down. Injuries at defensive end have forced the team to replace Deatrich Wise Jr., lost for the season in Week 2, with a rotating group of edge defenders, and further absences have compounded depth concerns.
Read at Riggo's Rag
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