Watch: Commanders LB Dante Fowler notches first-career pick-six vs. Panthers

It took 132 career games for Washington Commanders edge-rusher Dante Fowler to record his first NFL interception, but the nine-year veteran made it worth the wait.

Fowler picked off Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton on Sunday, returning it 67 yards for a touchdown to give the Commanders (4-2) a 7-0 advantage over the Panthers (1-5) only eight plays into the game. With pressure coming from Washington, the 31-year-old smartly cut in front of a dump-off attempt to running back Miles Sanders before taking it to the house.

With the pick-six, Fowler equaled the Commanders' interception total on the year. Washington entered Week 7 with only one pick, tied for the fewest in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans.

Fowler's big play might be just what the Commanders needed to jump-start their defense. Two possessions later, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes picked off Dalton, giving Washington more interceptions through one quarter against the Panthers than they had over six games to start the season.

Signed as a free agent during the offseason, Fowler joined the Commanders hoping to bring experience to a line that traded Chase Young Montez Sweat last year. So far, on top of his pick-six on Sunday, the 2015 No. 3 overall pick has delivered, having nearly matched his sack total from 2023 (4.0), recording 3.5 QB take-downs less than halfway through the season.