The Commanders are 1-4-1. That’s where we’re at after some tough one-score losses, quarterback injuries and, simply put, unacceptable game mismanagement.
All, however, is not lost.
A one-win team is still somehow in the divisional race considering how bad the other three teams are. Like, check the standings. The Giants have three wins in six chances entering Week 7, and that’s the target to shoot for. And the Giants have a quarterback controversy. The Eagles have lost Jalen Hurts and most of a previously
excellent offensive line. And the Cowboys are struggling, a standard for the Jones era.
So, despite the fact that it at times feels like Washington’s sky is falling, the Commanders can still pull out a division title. True freaking story.
I’m in the former camp. I truly believe the Commanders can turn the corner. Here are a few reasons why. You’ll be able to follow the rationale, guaranteed.
Here are some bullet points on why the Commanders can win the division. These aren’t detailed observations. They’re simply reasons to be optimistic starting with a Week 8 meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles coming off the bye.
- Jayden Daniels turns into JD5: The young quarterback can legit carry a team when he’s on one. The third-year pro is trying to find a balance between being a playmaker and an operator of David Blough’s system. There’s a fair belief that he’ll get there. If he can get on 2024’s level, Daniels can bring the Commanders to great heights.
- Odafe Oweh wakes up: The Commanders biggest free-agent purchase can get scorching hot collecting sacks — he did so last year — and this would be a great time to go on a run. The Commanders pass rush is essential to defensive success. That has been proven in the early going, with coverage unable to hold up for long.
- Play callers lessen their learning curves: The Commanders have a pair of rookie (NFL) play callers in offensive coordinator David Blough and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, and we’ve seen some mistakes in game planning and game-day game planning. Washington must be more consistent and help play to their players’ strengths moving forward. Here’s believing they can do that.
- Penalties get cleaned up: The Commanders have been plagued by penalties, especially the pre-snap variety that have wiped out some explosive/game-changing plays in games that went the other way. Fewer flags, especially all those false starts and illegal shifts. That should be something easy to fix.
That’s why I think there’s optimism for better Commanders football after the bye. Let us know why you’re confidence remains high in the comments below:
