Commanders’ Dan Quinn not changing the process ahead of big game

Dan Quinn wants the Commanders to embrace this opportunity.

Dan Quinn knows this is his biggest game thus far this season.

Quinn took over a program hemorrhaging badly, finishing 4-13 in 2023, getting blown out often, and not being competitive.

His first-year Commanders are 7-3 and have been a big surprise in the NFL this season. Yet, he doesn’t want them to think this game Thursday night in Philadelphia is beyond them. He does want them to feel the weight of it and enjoy the opportunity.

“Yeah, I want us to feel comfortable in these environments. That’s the only reason. I want us to enjoy the buildup and knowing that the process of getting ready is like all the other ones.”

Once again, the end result is not doing what you can to win a game but rather working the process to do the best you can to improve yourself. Again, Quinn is correctly process-oriented.

“So, I wouldn’t say I’m treating it differently. I would say the process of us getting ready to play will be exactly the same going into this one, going into the next one, the following one.”

“I just want them to know in these big moments and big games, that’s where guys like Jayden is honestly at his very best. In these crucial moments and these big plays to go. And I want us to feel very comfortable in this spot.”

Quinn doesn’t want his teams to be overconfident, but he also doesn’t want them to back off from these opportunities.

“I’d rather embrace it than shy away from it, but it has no different process to it. I want to make sure I’m clear with you on that.”

Process, process, process.

Analyst believes the Commanders will finish ahead of the Eagles in the NFC East

There is at least one person who thinks the Commanders will finish ahead of the Eagles.

Where did the hosts of “First Things First” predict the Commanders would finish in the NFC East this year?

Monday, the hosts made their predictions and reasons why. Here are their predictions for the NFC East and what they had to say about the Commanders specifically.

Nick Wright: Cowboys, Commanders, Eagles, Giants

“The argument for the Washington Commanders is simple. The new coach bump from Dan Quinn, and the fact that I like Jayden Daniels as a player. I don’t like him long-term as a prospect because I am concerned about the injuries.

I’m concerned about his body, his frame, and his ability to survive eight, nine, ten years in this league. That’s my whole argument against him. That he is too small for a long NFL career, that doesn’t mean he can’t be dynamic in an individual season.

They have decent weapons and I understand defensively there are going to be some struggles. However, there is always a team that everyone has written off as one of the worst teams in the league that is going to make the playoffs or is right there. I don’t have them making the playoffs, but I do have them finishing second.”

Chris Broussard: Eagles, Cowboys, Commanders, Giants

“I love Jayden Daniels. I think he is going to have a dynamic year, and I think they are growing. That doesn’t mean I think he is making the playoffs as a rookie. But I think he has a bright future.”

Greg Jennings: Eagles, Cowboys, Commanders, Giants

“You (Nick Wright) say Jahan Dotson is not a good receiver? You are out of your mind. He had a down year last year. I like him in this situation. I think what they are trying to do is really put a lot of pieces around Jalen Hurts…I don’t know how confident they are in him carrying the load. When you start to load up around a quarterback like this, you’re saying he needs more around him.”

I like the Cowboys, but they are not making the playoffs. I’m sorry, Cowboy Nation.”

Jennings did not provide any commentary on the Commanders or Giants.

Where does USA Today predict the Commanders in 2024?

USA Today predicts the Commanders’ record in 2024.

As NFL teams are beginning their training camps, writers are offering their predictions for the 2024 season standings.

How many games will the Commanders win? Where will they finish in the NFC East? Nate Davis of USA Today takes the time to predict all 32 teams’ records, ensuring the total number of wins in the NFL is accurate at 272.

If you are wondering, each team will play 17 games, and there will be 16 winners and 16 losers of all games played unless there are ties in 2024. Thus, Davis at least has done his homework to accurately have 272 games being won during the season.

Davis does have the Commanders improving from their dreadful 4-13 2023 season. Here is what Davis had to say in his prediction of the Commanders.

Washington Commanders (7-10): New front office, new coach (Dan Quinn), new locker room leaders, including first-round QB Jayden Daniels, and just a generally growing good-feels vibe as this organization continues moving beyond its former regime. Though the bottom fell out on the field last year, it seems like Washington should get back to the seven- or eight-win plateau where it’s hovered for the better part of a decade. But it feels like the Commanders are actually charting a positive course this time rather than treading water – and don’t be surprised if they struggle early and finish strong, which would seem to align with their schedule and the familiar arc of many rookie passers.

Interestingly enough, Davis foresees the NFC East as a division that somewhat falls back this season. He has the Giants as one of the lower-tier teams, only finishing 4-13 (see Washington in 2023 for how bad that was). The Cowboys are going to experience a substantial fall as well. Such a fall, in fact, that Dallas will not have a winning season, finishing 8-9.

Only the Eagles in the division will accomplish a winning season, with a regular season record of 10-7. Of course, that would not be overly impressive for the Eagles, who won the division and NFC championship and gave the Chiefs a great Super Bowl to conclude the 2022 season.

Here is the link for those who might be interested in seeing how Davis sees the entire league panning out in 2024.