The Washington Commanders faced a disappointing end to their season, yet they find themselves in a promising position to remain competitive in the playoff race as they look ahead to 2025.
In 2024, the Commanders had a golden opportunity to achieve something the franchise has not accomplished in 33 years: a return to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, that dream was cut short when they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles with a score of 55-23 in the NFC Championship.
While it is disheartening to come so close to the Super Bowl, it is important to recognize that for the Commanders, victories in the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds were significant accomplishments, especially considering the team had not won a postseason game since 2006.
Despite the heartache of missing the Super Bowl, Commanders fans have reason to be optimistic about the future. The wait for a return to the Super Bowl has been long, but there is hope that it will not be much longer.
Commanders Exceeded Expectations This Year
When it comes to rookie quarterbacks, especially one who won the Heisman Trophy at LSU, expectations can be uncertain. However, Jayden Daniels exceeded all expectations in his debut season with the Washington Commanders.
Daniels threw for 3,568 yards, achieving 25 touchdowns against only nine interceptions. He also made a significant impact on the ground, rushing for 891 yards with six touchdowns, all while facing a staggering 47 sacks throughout the season. The Commanders faced numerous injuries late in the season, particularly losing G Sam Cosmi right before the NFC Championship, which hindered their performance. If Washington can enhance their offensive line to protect Daniels better next season, he has the potential to build on his already impressive rookie year.
Defensively, the Commanders ranked fourth in the NFL this season, allowing just 3,492 yards per game, a marked improvement from the previous year when they ranked 30th with 4,568 yards. Nonetheless, the Eagles exploited Washington’s defensive weaknesses in the NFC Championship, especially in the run game, allowing 232 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. It’s clear that the Commanders need to bolster their defense to compete effectively during the postseason. Nevertheless, the future appears bright for Washington, thanks to a blend of emerging talent and new leadership.
The preseason over/under for the Commanders was set at 6.5 wins, and they surpassed expectations with a remarkable 12-5 record in the regular season and two postseason victories. Fans eagerly await the 2025 season to see if they can build upon this success.
Commanders Super Bowl History
The Washington Commanders have a rich history in the Super Bowl, having made five appearances and securing three victories. Their inaugural Super Bowl appearance resulted in a narrow 14-7 loss to the 1972 Dolphins, the only undefeated team in NFL history. A decade later, they claimed their first Super Bowl victory against Miami with a score of 27-17. The following year, they faced the Oakland Raiders and suffered a heavy defeat, falling 38-9. Their next triumph came after the 1987 season, where they defeated the Denver Broncos decisively, 42-10, to capture the Lombardi Trophy for the second time.
Washington’s path to their last Super Bowl appearance started with an impressive 14-2 regular season finish, leading to a playoff run that included a 24-7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the Divisional Round and a commanding 41-10 win against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship. This playoff success surely resonated with Commanders fans when this year’s team overcame the Lions in the Divisional Round to earn a spot in the NFC Championship against the Eagles.
Interestingly, only five current players on the Commanders roster were alive the last time Washington celebrated a Super Bowl victory: LB Nick Bellore, TE Zach Ertz, OT Cornelius Lucas (who was just six months old), LB Bobby Wagner, and P Tress Way. The coaching staff, including Dan Quinn, Kliff Kingsbury, and Joe Whitt Jr., were also at different stages in their lives, highlighting just how long it has been since the franchise’s last championship.
The wait for another Super Bowl continues, but there is hope among Commanders fans that their next victory is on the horizon.
