They gave him the chance to finish a distinguished NFL career with a contender, and Von Miller is already paying back the Washington Commanders for their faith, after logging his first solo sack for the team during Week 3’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Miller got to veteran quarterback Geno Smith in the third quarter at Northwest Stadium on Sunday, September 21. It was one of five sacks notched by a rampaging Commanders defense, but the most significant, given the impact Miller is being counted on to make.
The two-time Super Bowl champion was so buoyant he broke out a sack celebration dance not seen since his days with the Denver Broncos in the last decade.
Miller explained how he’d been preparing to go against his longtime rivals from the AFC West by “watching highlights from my old days with the Broncos and facing the Raiders and that was one of sack dances that I did. It was a throwback. I think it was 2019,” per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will focus less on any style points Miller is owed for his post-takedown moves. Instead, they will hope this is the first of many celebrations one of the greatest pass-rushers of any era gets to unleash in a Commanders uniform.
Von Miller Turning Up Heat for Commanders
Miller’s solo tackle on Smith was further proof of his growing comfort in Washington’s defense. The 36-year-old actually opened his account when he was credited with half a sack against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2.
He shared that play with fellow versatile edge defender Jacob Martin, but Miller had no company when he won off the edge to close on Smith. As highlights from 106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen show, Miller was simply too strong for 6-foot-4, 331-pound Raiders offensive tackle Delmar Glaze.
Playing bigger than his 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame has been a hallmark of Miller’s career. So has his versatility, two things enabling Miller to still put plenty of heat on the pass pocket in his 16th season.
Miller’s enduring talent, also evidenced by five pressures through three games, per Pro Football Reference, is helping transform an evolving pass rush for the Commanders.
Commanders Finding Ways to Boost Pass Rush
Another significant detail from Miller recording a sack against the Raiders was how he began the play aligned next to linebacker Frankie Luvu. The latter is a roving weapon who can blitz from anywhere and will go from strength to strength with Miller in the lineup.
Miller can make Luvu better, but it was veteran middle linebacker Bobby Wagner who profited more this week from the different ways the Commanders are boosting their pass rush. Wagner was turned loose on the blitz, and the 10-time Pro Bowler responded with two sacks.
Using Wagner to disguise pressure and create ad-libbed four-man rushes worked wonders against the Silver and Black. The 35-year-old “generated five pressures on seven pass rushes against the Raiders, sacking former teammate Geno Smith twice (both on a four-man rush). Wagner’s five pressures were the most in a game by an off-ball player this season,” according to Next Gen Stats.
Wagner’s five pressures were the most in a game by an off-ball player this season.
#LVvsWAS | #RaiseHail
Including Wagner is just one more way for the Commanders to scheme pressure. Moving flexible disruptors like Luvu, Martin and defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. across the front is another.
Yet, it’s Miller’s premium pass-rush plan that can reap the highest rewards, even if those celebrations could use some work.
Von Miller Explains Reaction to 1st Solo Sack for Commanders