Commanders' Tyler Owens draw praise after exceptional special teams play: 'One of the greatest football plays I've ever seen'

Washington Commanders safety Tyler Owens proved one important thing with his Week 1 performance: Sometimes, the box score lies.

If you look at Owens' stat line from Sunday, you'll note that he registered just two tackles in the team's 24-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles . But that doesn't tell the full story … far from it.

Owens received massive praise for a phenomenal special teams tackle, one in which he aggressively fought off multiple blockers before driving the runner into the ground for the tackle.

Future NFL Hall of Famer — and current broadcaster — JJ Watt called it "one of the greatest football plays I've ever seen."

Watt added, "Every coach in America will be showing this rep to their team this week."

But Owens wasn't done. While that one play drew attention, Owens' second tackle of the game — which also came on special teams — was equally as impressive.

This time around, Owens didn't need to run through blockers, he simply ran around them and then made a great tackle when the returner tried to put a move on.

The effort, determination and the result of both plays make it clear the box score did not do Owens justice in Week 1.

That's been the case with Owens since he joined the Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He made the team's roster and has stuck with the Commanders ever since. While he has only one start under his belt, he's made his presence felt on special teams over the years.

That was clearly on display in Week 1, and Owens is finally starting to get some recognition for it.