The Washington Commanders have kicked off the season with an impressive 3-1 start, marking a significant turnaround for the team. Jayden Daniels has emerged as a pivotal player, boasting an astonishing 82.1% completion rate over a four-game stretch. This performance surpasses even the peak period of Peyton Manning in 2008, underscoring Daniels' exceptional prowess on the field.
Washington Surpasses Expectations
The Commanders’ impressive start is buoyed by their league-leading success rate of 54.6%, the second-highest on record since 2000. This translates into an impressive 0.27 expected points added (EPA) per play, which is twice that of the Buffalo Bills. Remarkably, this surpasses the 2004 Colts, who had a slightly lower EPA per play. The Commanders have consistently produced high-scoring games, notably achieving at least 38 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1991.
A closer look at their opponents reveals that all four teams Washington has faced have defensive success rates ranking 20th or worse. Conversely, Cleveland's defense, which ranks eighth in success rate, presents a new level of challenge. Nevertheless, Washington's offensive efficiency has been formidable, with only 22.9% of their plays resulting in zero or negative yards—the lowest rate in the NFL.
Resilience and Recovery
Washington's resilience is underscored by their ability to generate 0.52 EPA per play following losses or stagnations, outstripping the 2004 Colts' season mark of 0.43. Their success isn't limited to passing plays; the Commanders lead the league in expected points added on rushing plays. With 10 rushing touchdowns, the highest in the NFL, and ranking third in the number of runs resulting in first downs, their ground game has been dominant.
Brian Robinson Jr. has been a standout, averaging 3.92 yards after contact per rush, positioning him sixth in the league. The offensive line deserves substantial credit, graded as the fourth-best pass-blocking unit by Pro Football Focus, and allowing the tenth-lowest pressure rate. Despite this, Daniels is still sacked on 21% of his pressured dropbacks, a notable statistic when compared to Caleb Williams, who has been sacked 30% of the time under pressure.
Leadership and Strategy
Leadership and strategic decisions have also played a crucial role in Washington's early success. For instance, Terry McLaurin made headlines when he requested a specific play that resulted in the Commanders' biggest touchdown of the season. This type of player initiative speaks to the team's cohesive and proactive approach.
Head Coach Dan Quinn emphasized the importance of consistency and a relentless focus on improvement. "You talk about it, and you make sure -- you want them to feel that emotion in the locker room after a win. We have a real process that we go through every single week to get us ready to play, and that begins today and all the way through tomorrow and into Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. We have a theme of every day. So, by staying consistent in that approach, I think that helps avoid the highs and lows," Quinn elaborated. He added that the team needs an "absolute obsession" with self-improvement. "Not what happened in the last game, but just an absolute obsession on things that we can improve on. Because, quite honestly, we think we can improve in a lot of areas."
As the season unfolds, the Commanders will need to continue building on this momentum, particularly as they face more formidable defenses like Cleveland's. The blend of exceptional individual performances, strategic leadership, and a focus on resilience has set a strong foundation for Washington. Whether they can sustain and capitalize on this early success will be the narrative to watch in the coming weeks.