Talk Commanders

Whatever reservations the fanbase may have had about Jaden Daniels last week’s game should have erased them. His touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder in the waning seconds was simply a masterpiece. There have been no shortage of analysts breaking down the play. Basically Daniels read the inside Linebacker’s approach to Crowder. Recognizing a zone type pivot instead of chest-to-chest pivot Daniels cut the ball loose in a millisecond. Had the Linebacker gone to a man pivot then the other receiver crossing towards the middle would have been open. Daniels’ reading speed on that play was other-worldly. As teammate Tress Way said of Daniels, “If he’s on the field you got a chance.” And, that about sums it up.

Last week a one-point win resulted in a very grumpy “Victory Monday.” Would any WFT fan be similarly fussy with a one-point win this week? Unfortunately, some would…but, not too many. This fan base has been marinated in toxicity for long enough that fair winds and following seas are considered a source of annoyance. Such grouchiness doesn’t simply melt away. It has to be slowly peeled back layer-by-layer until the core of the onion is in plain view. This takes more time than a single season affords. A win this week would surely loosen another layer. At least one would hope so. But, there are no guarantees.

In honor of Bob Dylan, and the movie that was released about his life, it is an opportune time to quote his words from The Times They Are A-Changin’: “Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pen, and keep your eyes wide [because] the chance won’t come again. And don’t speak too soon for the wheel’s still in spin, and there’s no tellin’ who that it’s namin’. For the loser now — will be later to win, for the times they are a-changin’.” Dylan believed that cycles could go from losing to winning. Dylan Crews talked about the same from his time at LSU when he won the National Championship in his final season.

The Washington Commanders will finish the 2024-2025 season with a winning record for the first time since 2016. That in itself should be reason to celebrate on this Victory Monday as Washington is now 9-5 on the season after this 20-19 win over the New Orleans Saints.

For the Burgundy and Gold it is squarely time to go to the whip for the stretch run. The bye week came late in the season. This is a team that surely could have used a break earlier. But, the upside is that it gave the team a chance to reset just in time for the last four games. Of those four games three appear to be very winnable. It’s nearly impossible to avoid doing math: 2 wins equals 10 for the season; 3 wins equals 11 for the season. Since 1978 only 20 teams have failed to make the playoffs with 10 wins. Only 2 failed to get to the dance with 11 wins. But, first things first: A win gives this team a winning season for the first time since 2016. In August such a thing seemed like a bridge too far.

The WFT has arrived at the bye week. Finally. This is the last week for byes throughout the League. It arrived not a moment too soon for the squad. Thirteen weeks of bruising and bashing takes its toll on the body. One of the inherent elements of the sport is that the recovery time between games takes longer as the season evolves. It doesn’t help that the weather turns to cold making the ground harder so the bruises are deeper. There are more games now to play than ever. When Philadelphia won the NFL Championship in 1960 it played 13 games total. Other than the top team in each conference it takes 21 games to win the title these days. It all coalesces against the athletes. A break is most welcomed. It affords the fanbase an opportunity to survey the landscape and appreciate how special this year really is.

Watching Washington’s “Bell Cow” Running Back, Brian Robinson getting injured on the first offensive play of the game last week felt ominous. Realizing that Dallas had won all of its games on the road gave reason for pause. Having their star Defensive End and their best Corner back from injury was a source of concern. And, then their backup QB finally had enough repetitions to be comfortable…that was disquieting. It was never going to be a comfortable affair despite the point spread. So, it ended up being a miserable ride. Football gives the participants 24-hours to bask in the glow of a win or seep in their own bile after a loss. After that, it’s on to take the next hill. Thankfully, that next hill is at hand.