Despite leading the NFC East with a 4-1 record, the Washington Commanders defense had yet to force an interception this season. That all changed during Sunday against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on the game’s opening drive.
Jackson’s pass to Ravens tight end Mark Andrews bounced off Andrews’ hands into the grasp of Commanders’ rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil for the interception.
The interception cooled off the Ravens drive that reached into Washington’s territory at the 20-yard line. Jackson connected with wide receiver Zay Flowers for a 44-yard gain. However, the Commanders turned Andrews’ gaffe into a turnover.
The Commanders entered Week 6 on a four-game winning streak, but the secondary hadn’t picked off the opposing quarterbacks.
Washington’s defensive coordinator, Joe Whitt Jr., called out the defense and himself for the lack of interceptions.
“I don’t know if we’ve been five games without an interception my whole career,” Whitt said early this week. “Apparently, I’m not doing good enough of a job. We have to produce the ball more.”
Ironically, Sainristil got Washington’s first interception of the season. The Commanders selected the former Michigan star in the second round of this year’s draft — Washington’s first under new general manager Adam Peters. Initially thought to be a slot corner, Sainristil has played a bulk of his snaps on the outside. His presence has helped supplant former first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes.
Forbes, drafted under the previous regime led by fired head coach Ron Rivera, was a healthy scratch for Sunday’s game against Baltimore. His days in Washington could be numbered under Peters and new head coach Dan Quinn. Meanwhile, Sainristil added another play to his building resume.
