The bye week results give the Commanders crystal playoff clarity

The bye week results give the Commanders crystal playoff clarity

Dan Quinn and his players got a chance to put their feet up in Week 14. The Washington Commanders began a grueling stretch of 13 consecutive games before the bye week. Getting the opportunity to rest, reflect and recover before the final four regular season contests in 2024 is a huge advantage for the team in its pursuit of postseason football.

The commanders had their eyes on some crucial games that had implications. They got an early boost thanks to the Detroit Lions Thursday Night Footballwho eliminated the Green Bay Packers and left Washington just one game behind the sixth-seeded team after returning to a competitive environment.

Many teams are still hoping for their chances of unseating the Commanders and securing seventh place. Washington would always stick to its position, regardless of how the results unfolded. This was thanks in no small part to their dominant performance against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium last weekend before the team’s extended rest period.

When it comes to the playoffs, it’s hard to switch off. No one expected the Commanders to be in this position after so many changes in general manager Adam Peters’ first offseason at the helm. Now that this is the case, not everyone in the organization wants their hard work on the business end of the campaign to go to waste.

They learned a little more about what it will take when players and staff return to the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. Some results were in their favor. Others emphasized the urgency of getting started immediately after returning to competition.

The most alarming result came from the Los Angeles Rams, who ended the Buffalo Bills’ momentum with a phenomenal offensive performance on home soil. That put them within one game of the Commanders at 7-6. Unless someone else makes a memorable run to close out the campaign, this is by far the biggest threat to Washington.

Los Angeles has its sights set on winning the NFC West, although they trail the Seattle Seahawks after defeating the Arizona Cardinals. The Atlanta Falcons lost the top spot in the NFC South with a road win against the Minnesota Vikings, leaving them two games behind unless they regain division control from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Quinn and his players have fate in their hands. If they take care of business in the final four games of the regular season, they’ll be in the postseason. Looking over their shoulder won’t do them any favors. Relying on results elsewhere is usually fraught with serious consequences.

It seems like three teams are legitimately fighting for two spots. Things could change quickly, but the Commanders, Packers and Rams currently appear to be the strongest candidates for postseason contention.

Hopefully the Commanders are rested and rejuvenated after finally getting a break from football activities. Aside from the Philadelphia Eagles, they have nothing to fear in the home stretch. It will be interesting to see how this group handles the pressure on the Rams.

It’s a time for big characters and compelling performances. Nothing else will do.

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