Week 12: Daron Payne, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after another strong performance that included a key role in the game-saving play as the Commanders won for the sixth time in seven games, 19-13 over the visiting Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Payne, who was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, is in his fifth professional season. He has teamed with fellow University of Alabama former standout Jonathan Allen to create a formidable presence on the interior of the defensive line, which has been one of the team’s strengths during its current run.

On Sunday, Payne made six tackles, including two tackles for loss. But his biggest play came with one minute remaining after Atlanta had driven inside the Washington 5-yard line. On second-and-goal from the 4, Payne reached high with his left hand and tipped quarterback Marcus Mariota’s pass. Cornerback Kendall Fuller – last week’s DC Touchdown Club Pro Player of the Week – made a diving interception of the fluttering pass in the end zone, allowing the Commanders to keep the lead and all but run out the clock.

“After the season, we always talk to the coaches and [last season] they emphasized to me that I needed to work on finishing,” Payne said. “So this offseason I was just always trying to give a little extra burst to the quarterback and finish drills a little harder and I’ve been finishing way better than I had.”

For the season, Payne has made 47 tackles and is tied with Allen for second on the team with 6 ½ sacks, just behind Montez Sweat’s seven sacks.

“Daron is playing very good football,” Commanders Coach Ron Rivera said. “As a unit, you see the things they’re all doing and the way they are working together. It’s great to see. He and Jonathan are a great tandem. Guys like that are space eaters that can impact a game.”