The Washington Commanders played in front of a packed crowd at FedEx Field and were determined to win for their home fans.
In fact, by the end of the first quarter, the Cardinals’ defense had already forced four sacks and two turnovers, leading to 10 points for the Cardinals.
In the second half, it was the Commanders’ defense turn to step up their game. Late in the third quarter, defensive end Montez Sweat would be the closer that the Burgundy and Gold needed. The Mississippi State standout on third and 15 at the Arizona 25-yard line would get a strip sack on Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs that would be recovered by defensive tackle Daron Payne.
SWEAT STRIPS IT, PAYNE RECOVERS!
📺 #ARIvsWAS | FOX | #HTTC pic.twitter.com/8yLJO43DDB
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 10, 2023
“Yeah, I mean that’s what we pride ourselves on, defense closing games,” Sweat said. “I kept on saying who’s going to be the closer, who’s going to be the closer and John came up with a big sack for us and we came out with the dub.”
Sweat’s key turnover would result in a Commanders’ touchdown that would be delivered off QB Sam Howell’s six-yard scramble.
“Game-changing plays like that definitely get the team going,” Sweat said. “We just got to build on it.”
In the Commanders’ 20-16 win over the Cardinals, Sweat finished the game with impressive stats, including five total tackles, two tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and one and a half sacks.
What a performance by @_sweat9 👏@Gatorade | #HTTC pic.twitter.com/5YPJZy2LEH
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 10, 2023