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Defense again steps up in key moments to lead Commanders to victory

LANDOVER — As Marcus Mariota drove the Atlanta Falcons downfield late in the fourth quarter Sunday, it looked as if the dam had finally broken on Washington’s stretch of excellent defensive performances.

Then Daron Payne and Kendall Fuller combined to make the biggest play of the game, giving the defensive-minded Commanders their sixth win in seven games.

“We’re having a lot of fun. Winning cures all,” defensive leader Jonathan Allen said after the 19-13 home triumph. “We understand that we have to play better to get to where we want to get to. But at the end of the day, winning in the NFL is tough enough, so you don’t take any win for granted.