The Washington Commanders are 2-0 for the first time since the 2011 season. Not to take anything away from that team, which featured Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur and Mike McDaniel on the coaching staff, but there’s something different about this version of Washington.
Have the Commanders found a franchise quarterback? Sam Howell certainly looks the part, but he still has a long way to go. If you aren’t yet convinced of Howell as a franchise quarterback, what about the defensive line? Chase Young is back, joining a group that features Pro Bowl defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne and defensive end Montez Sweat.
Buy Commanders TicketsWashington was down 21-3 to the Denver Broncos in the second quarter last week. The Commanders looked on the verge of being blown out. Yet, they didn’t roll over, kept playing hard and each side of the ball did its part in leading Washington to a huge come-from-behind win.
Did the Commanders’ impressive performance move them up in the latest power rankings?
For some, it did; what about the rest?
Here is a power rankings roundup ahead of Week 3.
ESPN
Last week: No. 21
Sweat and fellow end Chase Young will be free agents after the season. But Washington has made it clear the Commanders would like to extend Sweat, playing on his fifth-year option, at some point. Any movement toward an extension, though, was slowed by the ownership change with the group having more urgent matters to focus on. Sweat has been a terrific edge run defender, but his highest sack total is nine. However, through two games this season, Sweat has two sacks and two forced fumbles. He’s learning from assistant line coach Ryan Kerrigan, the franchise’s all-time sack leader. “RK has been helping him to finish at the top of the rush,” said defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina. “He’s doing a hell of a job doing it.” — John Keim.
CBS Sports
Last week: No. 14
They are 2-0 after rallying to beat the Broncos. Sam Howell came up big to bring his team back, which is a good sign.
Bleacher Report
Last week: No. 25
The Washington Commanders haven’t exactly piled up the style points in doing so, but two weeks in the Commanders are undefeated after coming back to beat the Broncos in Denver.
The Commanders trailed 21-3 but stormed back to take a 35-24 lead. Washington then had to hold on for dear life and stop a two-point conversion attempt after Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson completed a Hail Mary at the end of the game to give the Broncos a chance to tie the game.
What some might call a sloppy affair, Commanders quarterback Sam Howell viewed as a sign of resiliency while speaking to reporters after the game.
“This is a resilient team,” Howell said. “The thing I’m proud of is we had each other’s back on both sides of the ball.”
There were some encouraging signs for Washington. Young running back Brian Robinson amassed 129 total yards and scored twice. In his first game action of 2023, edge-rusher Chase Young logged 1.5 sacks.
The question for these Commanders now is whether they can get a victory against a good team—their first two opponents this year are a combined 0-4. We’re about to find out the answer to that question—Washington hosts the Buffalo Bills next week before traveling to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles.
NFL.com
Last week: No. 21
The Commanders are 2-0 for the first time in a dozen years. Coming back from down 18 on the road and going on a 32-6 scoring run are pretty positive signs; Sunday’s win over Denver was far more impressive than the smaller comeback against the lesser Cardinals at home in Week 1. Washington has played better in the second halves of games than in the first. That pattern might work against Arizona and Denver, but will it stand up against the Bills in Week 3? What gives the Commanders a chance is the play of Sam Howell. Kid has some guts, doesn’t he? After some empty series early, he was battered around, but Howell was dialed in down the stretch, confidently leading five scoring drives in the final 32 minutes.
Pro Football Talk
Last week: No. 20
Eric Bieniemy’s star is rising.
USA TODAY Sports
Last week: No. 26
Sam Howell is the first Washington quarterback to win his first three career starts in the Super Bowl era. That’s included a pair of fourth-quarter comebacks in this season’s 2-0 debut. Still, concerns remain about what’s going on before the fourth quarter and the level of opposition those struggles are occurring against.
Touchdown Wire
Last week: No. 16
Sam Howell has looked like the best quarterback in the NFC East through two games. Let’s also give Eric Bieniemy his flowers for calling a great game to help complete an 18-point comeback on the road in Denver. The Commanders are for real, Ron Rivera won his 100th game, Sam Howell for President, Josh Harris for Congress- woah, okay. My apologies, I got carried away.
The Athletic
Last week: No. 16
Maybe it’s smoke. Maybe it’s mirrors. Maybe it’s playing Arizona and Denver. But it’s not offense that has Washington undefeated. Running back Brian Robinson had 87 grueling yards and two touchdowns Sunday, so maybe it’s a little bit of him.
Sporting News
Last week: No. 18
The Commanders are also 2-0 and have seemed to close the QB talent gap the division with Sam Howell joining Hurts, Prescott and Daniel Jones. The defense is up and down but Ron Rivera made the right call with Eric Bieniemy.
Yahoo Sports
Ranking: No. 17
Sam Howell has a long way to go as a quarterback. For starters, he holds the ball way too long. But he also has an innate playmaking ability. He brought the Commanders back from a 21-3 deficit with 299 yards passing. This 2-0 start hasn’t been pretty for the Commanders but there are some positive signs.
FOX Sports
Last week: No. 23
This pass rush is going to keep the Commanders in a lot of games. If Sam Howell can step up and be an active part of the offense, as he was in Denver, then the ceiling for this team becomes appreciably higher. There’s a huge opportunity to show exactly how legit they are on deck, as the Bills come to town for Week 3.
