NFL Power Rankings: Commanders move up after beating Eagles

The Washington Commanders got off to a hot start, going 7-2, but a three-game skid led to a lot of questions being asked about how legitimate this team is. They’ve now won their last three in a row, and a healthy Jayden Daniels is once again putting the league on notice. He threw 5 touchdowns against the #1 defense in the NFL on Sunday to lead Washington to a 36-33 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Jalen Hurts was knocked out of the game with a concussion in the 1st quarter, leading to more questions about the “quality of the win”.

What matters is, the Washington Commanders 10-5, and could move up to the 6th seed this week with a win over the Falcons and a Packers loss. Their game against the Falcons got flexed to Sunday Night Football, and they could already clinch a playoff spot before their game even starts if the Buccaneers lose or tie in their game against the Panthers.

The Washington Commanders’ odds for winning the Super Bowl went up after their win over the Eagles. They are still alive in the battle for the division, but FanDuel is still keeping the possibility off the board. Washington is up to 94% odds to make the playoffs per the Athletic, but that bet is also off the board after Sunday’s win.

High: 8

Low: 14

Average: 9.6

#8

It might have been a race for a bit, but Jayden Daniels probably gift-wrapped the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for himself with his latest miracle. The Commanders coughed up five turnovers (including two by Daniels), leading to 13 Eagles points, and managed no run game to speak of (outside of Daniels). Ultimately, they put the ball in the rookie’s hands over and over and asked him to bail them out. Even taking into account his late pick, Daniels found a way. He has cat burglar’s nerves, for sure, plus the next-play mentality to move on from a mistake and deliver a victory. That’s pretty rare stuff for a young quarterback to have, and it gives the Commanders a chance every time out. The three straight losses in November exposed some weaknesses, as did Sunday’s contest, but with Daniels under center, Washington has the potential to do some unexpected damage in the playoffs. Last week: 11

The big question: Can they hold on? Sunday’s win helped a lot. The Commanders improved to 10-5 for the first time since 1991 and now have a 94 percent chance to make the playoffs. Jayden Daniels led Washington in rushing with 81 yards and threw five touchdown passes against the Eagles. He’s sixth in the NFL in fantasy points this year and has more passing yards, passing touchdowns and rushing yards than Jalen Hurts. Last week: 10

They can lock up a playoff spot by beating the Falcons this week. Jayden Daniels is on his way to being the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Last week: 10

We already knew Jayden Daniels was good, but this was something else entirely. As much success as he’s had, it’s a different level of impressive to dig your team out of a two-score deficit by throwing five touchdowns and rushing for 81 yards. The Commanders are as good as they’ve been since 1991 and their young QB looks like a lock for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Last week: 12

Jayden Daniels busted through the rookie wall. Last week: 10

Last week: 7

#9

Rookie of the year: Quarterback Jayden Daniels The No. 2 pick will likely be the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, so there’s no doubt he’s also that for Washington. Daniels is a key reason the Commanders have won 10 games for the first time since 2012. He has thrown for 3,303 yards and 22 touchdowns and is tied for first with 11 in the fourth quarter. He also owns the NFL’s fourth-highest QBR at 71.9, trailing only Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and top-rated Josh Allen. Daniels also has rushed for 737 yards and six touchdowns. — John Keim Last week: 10

Jayden Daniels already had the near-perfect game at Cincinnati, the Hail Mary and a few other moments that we’ll remember from a historic rookie season. His five-touchdown game, including a game-winner with six seconds left to beat the Eagles, might top them all. What a season for Daniels. Last week: 12

The Commanders are trying to catch up to the Eagles with Captain Comeback Jayden Daniels at work. They are playing much better after the bye and finding a lot of holiday cheer in December. Last week: 9

Offense+ Rank: 5

Defense+ Rank: 18

Special Teams+ Rank: 8

SOS Rank: 32

Entering Week 16, the Commanders had zero wins against teams with a winning record, as they were 0-4 when facing teams who are .500 or better this season. However, in Week 16, the Commanders delivered their most impressive win of the campaign, defeating the Eagles 36-33. Yes, Jalen Hurts left in the first quarter with a concussion, but still, Washington deserves credit for this victory. Also, let’s give some props to Jayden Daniels, who became the third quarterback in NFL history to record five passing touchdowns and 80 rushing yards in a single game, joining Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton. Daniels is the first rookie to post this stat line. Also, there have been two go-ahead touchdown passes in the final 10 seconds of regulation this season: Daniels in Weeks 8 vs. the Bears and Daniels in Week 16 vs. the Eagles. He’s the first player since at least 2000 with multiple go-ahead passing TDs in the final 10 seconds of regulation in a single season. Last week: 11

Jayden Daniels became the first Washington quarterback since 1991 to throw five touchdown passes, including the game-winner with six seconds remaining, to beat the Eagles. Jamison Crowder caught the first and last of those scores, and Olamide Zaccheaus caught two others. The Commanders erased deficits of 14-0 seven minutes into the game and 27-14 at the start of the fourth quarter. Last week: 11

If the Washington Commanders make noise in the postseason this year, it may well be because of Week 16—because of the way Jayden Daniels rallied the team in a frenetic fourth quarter comeback. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year (that race is over, folks) threw for five touchdowns in the game, rallying the team with 22 fourth-quarter points. The young quarterback told reporters after the game that contests like this are why he plays the game. “You got those guys that came in on the win streak they were on, they were hot and they’re a very good team — rightfully so, good offense, good defense, all-around well-prepared team and you want to go out there and see where you match up against those type of guys,” Daniels said. “Those type of situations when it’s on thin ice and plays need to be made, that’s what you live for. If you really love this sport, you live for those big-time moments where it comes down to the end.” Analyst’s Take Quarterback Jayden Daniels is well on his way to becoming the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Some questions persisted about whether the Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix deserved the honor. Those conversations can stop after Daniels threw for five touchdowns in Sunday’s comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and the league’s No. 1-ranked defense. Washington scored 22 points in the fourth quarter. More importantly, the Commanders are 10-5 for the first time since 1991. — Sobleski Last week: 11

Everything that could go right and wrong happened for the Washington Commanders in Week 17. Remarkably, they become the second NFL team this season to win in spite of 5 turnovers committed. They probably don’t win if Jalen Hurts (concussion) doesn’t get hurt, but rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leading an improbable comeback against the No. 1 defense in the NFL to push the Commanders to their 10th win of the season just shows how truly special of a player he is. Last week: 12

I don’t want to read too much into the Redskins’ win over the Eagles because Jalen Hurts threw just four passes before leaving with a concussion. Still, Jayden Daniels had an amazing drive to win the game at the end. Last week: 9

Last week: 9

Last week: 10

#10

Sunday’s win was exciting, dramatic and puts them on the verge of a playoff berth and their first regular season with at least 11 wins since 1991. But let’s not forget it came despite five turnovers and against a Philly team forced to field an injured backup quarterback. Last week: 12

#11

Ball security: After suffering only three turnovers in its first nine games, Washington has turned the ball over 11 times in its last six contests, including five giveaways Sunday. Improving ball security would be huge for the team to make a playoff run. Last week: 13

Last week: 11

#12

Last week: 14

#14

It took an injury to Hurts, but overcoming five turnovers to win the game is impressive no matter the circumstances. First-round QB Jayden Daniels all but locked up rookie of the year with this performance, throwing for five touchdowns, including the game-winner in the final seconds. Last week: 15

Last week: 18

Click here to read article