The Washington Commanders continued to improving on defense, letting up just seven points in Sunday's 40-7 rout of the Carolina Panthers at home.

With defensive end Dorance Armstrong out with a rib injury and Javontae Jean-Baptiste on injured reserve, the defense needed someone to step up in their absences. That someone ended up being defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., who, with a little help from cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr., was able to provide the unit with a pair of turnovers -- something that has largely proved elusively so far this season.

Heading into Northwest Stadium, Fowler was aware he needed to fill a defensive void. He felt his time to take on a larger leadership role was coming, especially after his teammates had stepped up when he was dealing with a rib injury and couldn't play as hard as he wanted to begin the season.

"I was just ready to set the tone for the guys," Fowler said. "Just go out there and play, head was down. Big John was down, so I just wanted to hold my guys down today."

Fowler's big moment came roughly four minutes into the game when Panther's quarterback Andy Dalton, who was looking to convert on third-and-nine from the Commanders' 25-yard line, overshot running back Miles Sanders and the ball ultimately landed in Fowler's hands. Thanks to a block from defensive tackle Daron Payne, Fowler returned the pick 67 yards for the touchdown to put the Commanders on the board without yet having offensive possession.

"Man, that was so cool," Fowler said of the play. "That was my first interception. Just being able to return it for a touchdown, man, that was like I was in a dream."

Not only did the play kickstart momentum for the Commanders, it also marked Fowler's first career interception returned for a touchdown and Washington's first since Week 18 of the 2023 season.

Fowler credits the offensive background he gained from playing running back as a child to how he was able to evade tackles on his way to the end zone.

"I played running back all my life," Fowler said. "I started playing defensive end my junior year of high school. That's why I rush the way I rush and do certain things because I played offense and I was so used to tricking everybody and stuff like that. So when I was in the open field I was like 'It's time to do it, baby.'"

Fowler finished the game with two tackles, a sack, a pass breakup and a quarterback hit. He also received the fan-voted game ball, as well as a 96.7 PFF grading which was the most among all defenders in Week 7. He leads the team with 4.5 sacks.

With just over two minutes left in the first quarter, Forbes was able to dissect the Panthers' offensive scheme, getting between Dalton and his intended receiver. Forbes picked off Dalton's pass over the middle of the field that was aimed for wide receiver Diontae Johnson and returned the ball an additional 19 yards, giving the Commanders' offense a chance to put more points on the board.

"I was just doing my job, reading the plays and I just got my hands on it," Forbes said. "Honestly, I wish I could have returned it a little farther. Just looking at the coverage they were in. Looking at two and what two did, I just knew what one was going to do, and I just ran the route for him."

While the offense put up 30 points without rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in the game, the defense took away any chance the Carolina offense had at creeping back into the game. The Commanders' defense was able to take away the Panthers' passing game, as well as eliminate the threat of their run game, which has been averaging 130 rushing yards in the last four games.

"We didn't want them to score at all but just for them to only get seven points, hopefully we got them underneath 100 yards of rushing," Fowler said.

The Commanders' defensive unit didn't exactly reach Fowler's goal but did keep the Panthers to just 117 rushing yards, which is pretty close. Forbes credits the defense's communication with allowing them to be so dominant, especially after last week's disappointing seven-point loss to the Ravens.

"Honestly just everybody playing together," Forbes said. "Communicating was a big thing we preached last week, and we communicated better today and didn't let them get a lot of explosive plays."

Fowler agrees with Forbes, adding the next man up mentality is all about playing not just with each other, but for each other.

"I love the way we're going," Fowler said. "Man down, next man up type of mentality, but really just the camaraderie and the brotherhood that we got. Just being able to hold each other down and play for each other. It's been a while since I've seen a team play like that. I love this team a lot. I love how we all play for each other."