The Washington Commanders dominated the Carolina Panthers in Week 7, securing a commanding 40-7 victory, but the highlight of the game came from a surprising source. Linebacker Dante Fowler Jr., a journeyman who had previously played for the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, and Jacksonville Jaguars, recorded his first career interception and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown.
On the Panthers’ opening drive, it appeared they might take an early lead, moving the ball effectively down to Washington’s 25-yard line. However, Fowler changed the game’s momentum when he intercepted a pass intended for running back Myles Sanders, returning it for a touchdown that gave the Commanders a quick 7-0 advantage. From there, things only went downhill for Carolina, as Washington’s defense swarmed and suffocated the Panthers’ offense.
Fowler’s impressive performance in 2024 has him outpacing his production from the past two seasons with the Cowboys. In 2022, he played all 17 games, tallying 27 total tackles and six sacks. The following year, his stats dipped with just 13 tackles and four sacks. However, through seven games this season, Fowler has already racked up 13 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and now, his first career interception. It appears that the move to Washington was just what Fowler needed to reignite his career.