Johnny Newton Bagged Dak Prescott THREE Times in Week 17 and He's Feeling Like Nobody Can Mess With Him Right Now!

Yo, listen up, 12s, because while we're always bleeding green and blue for our Hawks, there's some wild energy brewing in the league right now, and it's coming from Commanders defensive tackle Johnny Newton. This dude, a 2024 second-round pick, absolutely WENT OFF at the tail end of last season, dropping Dak Prescott for three sacks in a single game! And guess what? He's still riding that wave of pure confidence, feeling like he's on top of the world as we roll into April.

'About to Absolutely Take Off'

Talk about a vote of confidence! Commanders head coach Dan Quinn isn't holding back, saying this April that he believes Newton is "about to absolutely take off" in his third season. And honestly, when you dig into how Newton finished up his 2025 campaign, it's not hard to see why Quinn's so hyped. Newton's rookie year in 2024 saw him play 16 games, making 11 starts, even after dealing with foot surgery that cost him some time early on. He managed to snag two sacks in that role. Then came 2025, where he appeared in all 17 games. But let's be real, it wasn't a smooth ride. He was battling an ankle injury that really limited his productivity, to the point where he didn't even start the first 15 games of that season.

Three Sacks and Pure Swagger

But then, Week 17 hit, and Newton flipped a switch like a light. He finally moved into the first-team lineup against the hated Dallas Cowboys, and he just went full beast mode, absolutely dominating the line. We're talking three crucial sacks of Dak Prescott in one single, high-stakes game! That's not just

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a good game, that's the kind of show-stopping performance that makes the rest of the league sit up, take notice, and mark you down. Newton himself is still buzzing from it, and honestly, who could blame him? He told the team's website, "That's a big confidence boost, for sure. . . . I've had that feeling since Christmas." Imagine carrying that kind of raw, undeniable momentum with you for months, fueling your grind! He added, "I've always been that way, though. I've always been confident in myself, but definitely after that game, I feel like nobody can mess with me." That's the kind of pure, unadulterated swagger and self-belief you absolutely want to see from a top-tier defensive lineman. And with new Commanders defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, who learned under Brian Flores, bringing in an aggressive, attacking front, Newton could absolutely see that surge carry him into a massive, game-changing impact role this year. We love a player with that kind of fierce mentality and drive! April's barely here, folks, but Newton's already got that fire burning incredibly bright. If he can bottle that electric Week 17 energy, that 'nobody can mess with me' attitude, and bring it consistently every single Sunday, the entire NFL better watch out and prepare for a real problem. You gotta love that kind of self-belief and relentless passion, especially from a player who's clearly worked his tail off to get past injuries and hit his stride. We'll definitely be keeping an eagle eye on Newton and his Commanders throughout this season, just to see if he truly does take off and become that dominant force Quinn predicts. That's just good, exciting football to watch, no matter who's playing it. Go Hawks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.