The Washington Commanders faced significant challenges in run defense during the 2024 NFL season, culminating in a disappointing NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The defense ranked poorly in both rushing yards per game and yards per carry, largely due to their inability to contain star running back Saquon Barkley. Commanders players, including defensive end Dorance Armstrong, acknowledged the vital importance of improving run defense for future success, with an organization member noting that stronger run-stopping measures could lead to better playoff prospects, given recent trends in the league.
On the first play of the NFC Championship Game, defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. tripped linebacker Bobby Wagner, allowing Eagles running back Saquon Barkley to score easily.
[If] you can't stop the run, you can't win games. That's why our big focus this year is to stop the run a lot better than we did last year.
Of the top 10 teams against the run last season, nine made the postseason. Of the bottom 10, only Washington reached the playoffs.
We didn't play the run well enough, and I thought we would have... Some of the things we're doing with the front for the run game we have changed.
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