Tag: 2024 Philadelphia Eagles

Commanders are NFC’s No. 2 seed, but…

The Commanders may be the NFC’s No. 2 seed at the moment, but…..

Hey, Commanders fans, how closely have you looked at the NFL standings?

Yes, all of us in the DMV realize that the Commanders (6-2) have a one-half-game lead over the Eagles (5-2). In addition, we all realize this lead is only because Washington has played one more game thus far than Philadelphia.

Better, however, is looking at the NFC standings. There, you see Washington only behind the Detroit Lions (6-1). The Lions have not only been winning; they have been impressive in winning.

Seeing the top seven teams in both the AFC and NFC qualify for the playoffs, the four division winners will be seeded 1-4, with the three wild-card teams following in seeds 5-7.

Washington is currently the second-seeded NFC team. The other division leaders are the Falcons (third seed) and Cardinals (fourth seed). The three wild cards are currently the Packers (5 seed), Vikings (6 seed), and Eagles (7 seed).

Yes, that means, if the season concludes this way, the Commanders would host a playoff game at Northwest Stadium on the first weekend, and their opponent would be the Eagles.

Of course, Washington still must play five of its six divisional games. Haven’t the Eagles been really strong the last two weeks? Also, they must play the Steelers and Falcons, who are currently playoff teams.

The last two months of the season will be full of events as Washington plays nine more regular-season games. What should be the focus now?

The New York Giants.

Nothing else. The team cannot get ahead of themselves and think they will be the number two seed.

Nor can they bask in the ‘Hail Mary.’ They have had Sunday night, Monday and Tuesday to celebrate it. They must move on and be intense about their focus on each opponent, or they will find themselves losing more games than they should down the stretch.

Who knew we would be talking about such things after eight games?

NFL insider previews the Commanders and NFC East

The Commanders are a mystery in 2024.

What would you say are the non-negotiables for the 2024 Commanders if they are to be a playoff team?

NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, filling in on the “Rich Eisen Show” this week, provided his non-negotiables for each team in the NFC East.

NY Giants: Daniel Jones plays like a $40 million quarterback.

“He has had injuries; he must stay healthy. They lost Saquon; this is going to be a lot on Daniel Jones. He is going to have to figure out how to move that team forward.”

Philadelphia Eagles: They get back to playing offense the way they have when they were one of the best teams in the NFL.

“A lot of things got away from them down the stretch last season. You’re now changing out both your coordinators again. It comes back to how do we put Jalen Hurts in the best position to succeed?”

Washington Commanders: If you stacked up all the teams that I don’t know what they are going to be, the Commanders are one of the top teams on the list.

“I know Dan Quinn is a hell of a culture builder. I know Jayden Daniels was a hell of a college quarterback. Beyond that, you’ve got this combination of the Austin Ekelers, the Bobby Wagners, the big names that are toward the back end of their career. You obviously have a holdover like Terry McLaurin. I just don’t know. Maybe they get that first-year boost from the head coach who comes in, takes a team and it is a different vibe.”

Co-host Chris Brockman offered that he thinks it is clear they will be in the top five of the draft again. He added he doesn’t see Washington going over six wins.

Dallas Cowboys: There is a lot that still needs to be sorted out.

“Is CeeDee Lamb going to be at training camp? Is Dak Prescott going to get a new deal? Do they even potentially do a Mike McCarthy extension? Dak has to play his absolute best, elevating everyone, including into January.”

Chris Simms: Previewing NFC East, but down on the Commanders

It’s clear he grew up a Giants’ fan.

Chris Simms hardly said a word about the Washington Commanders.

This week on his “Chris Simms Unbuttoned” podcast, Sims gave a brief look ahead to the NFC East for this season.

In doing so, it was quite noticeable that he barely mentioned the Commanders. When co-host Ahmed Fareed mentioned the Draft Kings over/under win totals were the Giants and Commanders at 6.5 and that the Commanders were predicted ahead of the Giants (+800 to +1200), Simms replied, “I’m a little surprised by that. I mean, what do the Commanders got that they are plus 400 better than the Giants? That’s a little shocking to me.”

And that is it, Simms did not mention the Commanders again, choosing to discuss briefly, the other three division rivals.

Simms is high on the Eagles, stating they will be better than the 2023 team and “I think they are a team that has a real chip this offseason. Siriani is having minicamp for the first time ever as a head coach. That tells you where they are.”

“Work needs to be done; we got to get better. They are not going to rest on their roster being the best in football…I would put Philly in a class by itself in the NFC East.”

“A fringe playoff team is kinda how I (about the Cowboys).”

Simms, whose dad, Phil, was a longtime starting quarterback for the Giants, still loves his Giants. “The Giants are the team that I would, if you wanted a long shot bet in that division, the Giants would be the team I would take.”

Simms then stated he feels many will later see the Giants as a little scary at receiver. He named four receivers he thinks will shine for the NYG this season: Malik Nabers, Jalin Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton.

Both Simms and Fareed agreed that the Giants wide receiver group is going to be better than the Cowboys group. “Who is going to be the third receiver for the Cowboys? We don’t know that.” Simms stated he feels both offensive tackle spots for the Cowboys will be question marks this season.

The preview was brief, and what was unmistakable is that Simms sees the Eagles first and the Commanders as last. And he sees the Cowboys and Giants fighting it out for second place.