Watch out now.
The Washington Commanders are 7-5 and within the thick of the NFC playoff race after beginning the season 1-4. Despite all of the dysfunction swirling round this staff, they’ve discovered a solution to climb out of that gap with severe playoff potential nonetheless in sight. And they’ve managed to maintain tempo in what’s turn out to be arguably the very best division in soccer — all 4 groups are over .500 — in a single day.
What makes this run for the Commanders extra spectacular is that they’ve finished it with Taylor Heinicke beneath middle. Washington is 5-1 when Heinicke begins this yr. There’s one thing about his power this staff feeds off. It looks like guys wish to observe him and go all out in a approach no staff has ever finished for Carson Wentz.
With all of the drama popping out of the entrance workplace in Washington often, it’s a marvel the Commanders received any video games. Dan Snyder is perpetually caught up in some scandal. Whether it stems from alleged sexual harassment/misconduct within the office, accusations of dishonest different NFL house owners out of cash, or the staff bungling an anniversary ceremony for a deceased former participant, there’s at all times one thing unfavorable to report with the Commanders.
So, the very fact this staff is just not solely within the hunt however solely a few wins away from securing a wild-card spot is kind of outstanding. Sure, Washington is in final place in a troublesome NFC East, however the Commanders journey to New York to face the Giants this week and, with a win, would transfer to 8-4 and into third. Keep in thoughts the Giants did lose to the Detroit Lions at dwelling two weeks in the past. After that, no loss wherever ought to shock Giants followers.
During this run, the Commanders have relied on their protection because it’s improved considerably throughout their upswing. In their final seven video games (six of which they’ve received), the Commanders have held opponents to 17 factors or much less in 5 of them. They haven’t allowed greater than 21 in any of these video games. Washington’s finished this with out arguably its greatest defensive participant Chase Young, who hasn’t performed one down this yr. Young remains to be recovering from knee surgical procedure and may make his season debut quickly.
No one expects something out of the Commanders ought to they make the postseason. But we additionally didn’t anticipate them to be this good, particularly after such a sluggish begin. At this charge, the NFC East is on tempo to place all 4 groups within the playoffs. Something that’s by no means occurred within the historical past of the NFL. Washington received’t be favored to win a lot if this occurs, but when any staff overlooks them, they’ve received the protection and luck on their aspect to drag off a minimum of one massive upset come January.