It's not an overreaction: Commanders can win the NFC East
Last season, Washington shocked everyone, going 12-5 in the regular season and advancing all the way to the NFC championship game. Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Eagles were just better. Washington did have one victory over its NFC East rival last season, when quarterback Jayden Daniels passed for five touchdowns against the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense to shock the Eagles.
If there's a positive to losing to a divisional rival in the NFC championship, it allows you to see where you stack up. Philly not only had a better roster than Washington last season, but the Eagles had the NFL's best roster. Stacked at almost every position, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, Washington GM Adam Peters had his work cut out for him this offseason.
The Commanders were aggressive, trading for Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel, while also adding a smaller draft class, but one where all five picks could find a role in 2025. Washington also made several defensive moves. Are those moves enough?
ESPN's Dan Graziano covered several topics in his latest column. He would render a verdict on each one on whether it was an overreaction or not an overreaction. One of those topics was whether or not it was the Commanders' turn to win the NFC East. Graziano determined that this was not an overreaction.
Not much was expected of the Commanders last season, but they were one of the great surprises. Led by new head coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders won their final five games of the regular season (including one against the Eagles) to make the playoffs as a wild card. Then they upset the Buccaneers and Lions to advance to the NFC Championship Game.
Washington's 12-5 record put the team only two games behind Philadelphia, and they traded for veterans such as left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. in an effort to take the next step and maximize Daniels' rookie-contract window. The Eagles still look phenomenal and deservedly will open as the division favorites, but no team has repeated as NFC East champion since 2004. The Commanders have their sights set on bigger things in 2025.
It's probably actually the Giants' turn, because every other NFC East team has won the division at least three times since New York last did it in 2011. But since a Giants division title would be an even bigger surprise than what Washington did last season, let's keep it focused on the Commanders for now.
Quinn took the Falcons to the Super Bowl in his second season as Atlanta's head coach, so he's not one to temper expectations. The experience Daniels got and the poise he has already shown in fourth quarters of huge games should only help him moving forward.
Championship-seasoned veterans such as Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz, who were brought in to help jump-start a fresh culture, are back for another run. Veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore should be better than he was in his post-trade-deadline stint last season. And while there's no reason to doubt the Eagles, it's incredibly tough to repeat as champion in this division.
Dallas should be better with quarterback Dak Prescott back healthy, but Washington looks to have more than the Cowboys do. It's very possible that the Commanders take another leap and finish on top in the East.
The Eagles are still the class of the NFC East. Sure, Philadelphia lost some key players, such as defensive end Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Milton Williams, but the Eagles were so deep at those positions that they are more able than most teams to withstand free-agent departures.
Things are different for Washington now because it has a quarterback. Jayden Daniels gives the Commanders a real chance to win a championship. His presence allows Peters to rebuild around the young franchise passer the right way and remain a contender.
What about Dallas and New York? The Cowboys will compete for a playoff spot, but are not a threat to win the NFC East in 2025. The Giants should be improved in 2025, but it may not be enough to save GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: It's no overreaction: the Commanders can win the NFC East
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