Raising The Standard - Commanders' D-Line 'Pushing Each Other' Says Rivera

The Washington Commanders' defense has been lauded over the last 12 months, with Ron Rivera detailing the standard that each player holds themselves to.

The Washington Commanders defense, led by Jack Del Rio, has been one of the highlights for the organization over the last 12 months. After not being a top-10 defense since 2010, Del Rio has transformed the unit.

In two of the last three seasons, the Commanders' defense has been ranked inside the top 10 in the NFL. That's some turnaround. But it's not all on Del Rio.

Coach Ron Rivera has lifted the lid on the high standards that the group holds themselves and others to as well.

“It's interesting because you watch a lot of things with those guys, especially during the drills, and they almost become competitive periods amongst themselves and really not just those four guys, but all of them, the rest of the group, they really do compete against each other," Rivera said. 

That level of competitiveness has clearly worked. 

In the opening two weeks of the season, the Commanders are tied for the most sacks with the Dallas Cowboys (10), have caused three fumbles, and have only allowed 8/26 third downs. Collectively, the defense also has 20 quarterback hits and 16 tackles for loss. 

Putting that into perspective, the much-vaunted Cowboys defense led by Micah Parsons has 17 quarterback hits and 15 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and has allowed 6/26 third downs. The only outlier is the interception total, as Washington (1) trails Dallas (5).

So there isn't much difference, which, for some, could be rather surprising.

The Washington Commanders defensive line practicing / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The likes of Daron Payne, Montez Sweat (3.0 sacks), a healthy Chase Young, and Jonathan Allen have been game-wreckers over the past fortnight.

As a group, Rivera sees each player pushing to get better and, in the process, brings everyone else along with them.

"Every opportunity, they encourage each other, they hold each other accountable and even to the point where, I don't know if you notice, you don't get to see 'em, but they kind of run each other on and off the practice field, whenever they're going in for reps, they kind of run each other in, don't let each other walk," Rivera said. "They're constantly pushing one another to work together.”

With a young quarterback in Sam Howell, having a defense that makes plays allows the team to play complementary football.

The Commanders are 2-0, and while Howell and the offense have gotten the plaudits, the defense has more than done their part.  

Many label the Cowboys' defense as one of the best in the NFL, but Washington's isn't too far behind them.