The 2024 Commanders had a possibility to do one thing the franchise hasn’t been in a position to pull off for 33 years: make it again to a Tremendous Bowl. That clock will proceed to tick after Commanders misplaced to the Eagles XX-XX within the NFC Championship.
It’s crushing to come back this shut and miss the Tremendous Bowl, however realistically for the Commanders, successful within the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds was an enormous feat contemplating the group hadn’t managed to win a postseason recreation since 2006.
However that streak had nothing on the three-plus many years Washington followers are patiently ready via to lastly see this group get again to a Tremendous Bowl. It didn’t pan out this yr, however there’s motive to consider Commanders followers gained’t have to attend that for much longer.
Commanders exceeded expectations this yr
It’s arduous to know what to anticipate from a rookie quarterback, even when that rookie gained the Heisman Trophy at LSU like Jayden Daniels did. “Impressed” isn’t a powerful sufficient phrase for what Daniels did behind heart for the Washington group.
The rookie threw for 3,568 yards, with 25 touchdowns in opposition to 9 picks. Daniels added 148 carries for 891 yards and 6 touchdowns on the bottom, and he did that whereas taking 47 sacks all season. Accidents decimated the group towards the top of the season, and particularly, dropping G Sam Cosmi proper earlier than the NFC Championship did Washington zero favors. So long as Washington can do a greater job of holding Daniels upright subsequent season, there’s no motive he can’t enhance on what was already a incredible efficiency in his rookie yr.
The protection completed the common season fourth within the NFL with simply 3,492 yards per recreation in comparison with final season, after they completed thirtieth within the league with 4,568 yards. Philadelphia was in a position to key in on the Commanders’ defensive weaknesses within the NFC Championship win, particularly with the run recreation (Washington allowed 232 yards and seven touchdowns on the bottom) and it’s clear Washington nonetheless wants some enchancment on that aspect of the ball to run with the large canines within the NFL postseason. However the future seems to be brilliant for the Commanders and their mixture of latest management and younger expertise.
The preseason win complete over/underneath for Washington was 6.5 wins, and the 2024 Commanders’ 12-5 common season and two postseason wins blew that out of the water. We’ll see in 2025 in the event that they’re in a position to construct on this efficiency.
Commanders Tremendous Bowl historical past
The Washington group has made it to 5 Tremendous Bowls, successful three. The group’s first Tremendous Bowl look resulted in a 14-7 loss, after they bumped into the thrill noticed that was the one undefeated group in NFL historical past, the 1972 Dolphins. Washington received its revenge 10 years later, beating Miami 27-17 for the group’s first Tremendous Bowl win. Washington made it again to the large recreation the next yr, and the Oakland Raiders thrashed them to the tune of 38-9. The group’s subsequent win got here after the 1987 season, as Washington whooped the Denver Broncos 42-10 to convey residence the Lombardi for a second time.
Washington’s highway to its most up-to-date Tremendous Bowl look began with a 14-2 common season end and the Atlanta Falcons within the Divisional Spherical. Washington dispatched the Falcons 24-7, advancing to beat the Detroit Lions within the NFC Championship, 41-10 — a win that certainly got here to thoughts for a lot of Commanders followers when this yr’s group beat the Lions within the Divisional Spherical to face the Eagles within the NFC Championship.
Solely 5 present Commanders gamers had been even alive the final time Washington gained the Tremendous Bowl: LB Nick Bellore, TE Zach Ertz, OT Cornelius Lucas (was six months previous), LB Bobby Wagner, and P Tress Means. Dan Quinn was in his junior yr at Salisbury College, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was 13 years previous, and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. was 14 years previous.
The wait continues. However hopefully Commanders followers gained’t have to attend an excessive amount of longer.