There was an otherwise meaningless play in the Washington Commanders’ easy win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3 that created an odd statistical quirk.
It was the first drive of the second half. The Raiders faced a 2nd-and-4 from their own 36-yard line. Quarterback Geno Smith threw a short pass in the right flat to all-world tight end Brock Bowers, and the Commanders’ Daron Payne dropped him for a two-yard loss.
The NFL stat gurus deemed that Payne was in coverage on the play. Four games into the season, it is the only time the 320-pound defensive tackle has been targeted on a pass play.