As of late, the Washington Commanders and number two 2024 NFL Draft pick, Jayden Daniels, have been knocking off teams in the NFL, with a current record of 6-2, with the only losses coming from the 4-4 Buccaneers in week one and the 5-3 Ravens in week 6. It seems as though this big shift in the Commanders culture was kickstarted even before the team stepped foot on the field for their first game this season, with new coach Dan Quinn being hired in the wake of Ron Rivera’s firing. Ever since, the team has been a heavily rooted for squad, not only by Commanders fans but by fans of neighboring teams all throughout the NFL due to their “underdog” label.
A self proclaimed “diehard” Commanders fan, Senior Andrew Brandon is having “the time of his life right now” as the Commanders are having success this year.
“I really hope that we make the playoffs and win a game or two,” Brandon said.
According to The New York Times, the Commanders have an 91 percent chance of making the playoffs, and their chances are only projected to go upward for QB Daniels and his supporting cast.
While Daniels has been playing great football all season according to most, credit is due also to members of his offense, such as wide receiver and top deep-threat option for Daniels, Terry McLaurin, who is nearing 600 yards so far on the season, has forty receptions, and also has seen the end zone four times so far. Starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. is also having a ball from the backfield this year, tallying up 461 yards and six touchdowns, while also giving up some carries to backup running back Austin Ekeler.
In week eight, Daniels threw a 52-yard hail mary bomb to newly acquired wide receiver, Noah Brown, for a touchdown to beat the Chicago Bears, who were led by the number one 2024 NFL Draft pick Caleb Williams. The final score was 15-18.
Members of the varsity and junior varsity football team are also tuned into the Commanders season.
“It’s good to see the home team finally succeed even though I am a Dolphins fan. The Commanders are my second favorite team because I have lived around Commanders fans my whole life and I have been to a few of their games as the stadium is in D.C.,” senior captain Jackson Hawkins said. “The Commanders are very fun to watch and support because they play so close to us,” Connor Pfalzgraf said, giving another glimpse of how the football players feel about the NFL team.
With less than ten weeks left in the season, The Washington Commanders look to make a playoff push and succeed along with recently acquired four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore, which gives help to the team’s secondary defense. Daniels will look to win not only the Offensive Rookie of The Year award, but also the NFL MVP award, which is in a close race between players.
