For years, the Washington Commanders (formerly the Washington Redskins) were the definition of a struggling NFL team. The team was once fantastic, winning 3 super bowls in its franchise history, but had eventually become the laughing stock of the league. The chaos and controversies running through the team were more relevant than anything that they had been doing on the field until something changed. The Commanders’ performance so far this season has been incredible and they’re on the path to glory once again.
Everything starts at the top. The ownership changes were huge steps forwards in 2023. Under the previous owner Dan Snyder, the reputation of the Commanders was smeared by scandals and poor decisions, both appearing in on and off the field issues. Now with new ownership in place, there’s finally a new sense of hope and motivation for the Commanders. The toxic environment that surrounded the team for years seems to have faded, and it’s clear from the front office to the players, that the team is headed in a new direction.
One of the biggest factors contributing to the Commanders success has been their improved roster. For years, the team lacked a true and full identity, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Now they have a solid group of players who are definitely capable of competing with the best teams in the NFL. With dominant players such as Kam Ward and Jonathan Allen, the Commanders defensive line has become arguably the best in the NFL. Their ability to pressure Quarterbacks and stop run attempts is unlike anything anyone has seen from the team in previous years.
On offense, the team finally seems to have some stability. With the young, promising rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leading the team, it seems like the flame has finally been re-lit for the team, displaying a limited amount of mistakes while performing. With a combination like Daniels and WR Terry Mclaurin, the offense is practically unstoppable. This has been clearly, and obviously displayed many times this season as the Commanders have powered through both the Cardinals and Browns ending each game with a blowout. Though, these are not the team’s only impressive feats. During week 3, the Commanders faced the Bengals. Over the past 2 years, the Bengals have gone from an irrelevant team to arguably one of the best in the NFL with an appearance in the 2022 season in Super Bowl 56 against the L.A. Rams. With such a tough opponent nearly every player, fan, and coach in the league thought it would be an easy win for the Bengals including many Commanders fans. The Commanders were able to step up and reveal themselves as a new, improved, and beast of a team that will be a reckoning force this season.
For how the Commanders will do for the remainder of the season, only time will tell. They have shown themselves to be one of the best teams in the NFL and many even consider the Commanders super bowl contenders. Experts have gone back and forth between the team being a bust or truly being a threat to more relevant and good teams such as the Eagles, Saints, Ravens, and Falcons who are all coming up on their schedule, but so far, the Commanders have proved themselves worthy of being real playoff contenders.
