It took Washington Commanders edge-rusher Dante Fowler 132 career games to notch his first NFL interception, but the nine-year veteran made it count.
On Sunday, Fowler intercepted Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown, giving the Commanders (4-2) a 7-0 lead over the Panthers (1-5) just eight plays into the game. With Washington bringing pressure, the 31-year-old made a sharp move to step in front of a dump-off pass intended for running back Miles Sanders and took it all the way to the end zone.
DANTE FOWLER JR. PICK-6!
📺: #CARvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/JTuzB4p55Q— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
Fowler’s pick-six matched the Commanders’ season total for interceptions. Heading into Week 7, Washington had only one interception, tying them for the fewest in the NFL alongside the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans.
Fowler’s game-changing play could be the spark the Commanders’ defense needed. Just two possessions later, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes intercepted Dalton as well, giving Washington more interceptions in the first quarter against the Panthers than they had in their previous six games combined.
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. with the INT for the @commanders!
📺: #CARvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/ggCaT6QhUj— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
Signed as a free agent in the offseason, Fowler joined the Commanders aiming to bring veteran leadership to a defensive line that had traded away Chase Young and Montez Sweat the previous year. So far, Fowler has delivered. Along with his pick-six on Sunday, the 2015 No. 3 overall pick is nearing his 2023 sack total of 4.0, having already recorded 3.5 sacks less than halfway through the season.
