Last week was a busy one for the Washington Commanders. After dropping a heartbreaker to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, the Commanders traded starting defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young two days later.
Some presumed the Commanders, under new owner Josh Harris, were kicking off a rebuild with the additional 2024 draft picks they received for Sweat and Young.
Nope. Head coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Sam Howell said Washington was doing everything in its power to earn a wild-card berth this season.
In their first game without Sweat and Young, the Commanders went on the road and defeated the New England Patriots, 20-17. How did that win impact Washington’s place in the various NFL power rankings?
Here are the latest power rankings.
ESPN
Ranking: No. 19
Last week: No. 24
This was not an easy one to pick — no one is having a Pro Bowl season — but McLaurin has been one of the most consistent Commanders, with 47 catches for 568 yards and 2 touchdowns. In the past six games he has topped 70 yards receiving four times; he has averaged 73.7 yards per game in that stretch compared to 42 in the first three. McLaurin remains the heartbeat of the offense. When he’s involved early, the offense benefits. He’s on pace for 88 catches and 1,072 yards and would become the first player in franchise history to top 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons.
NFL.com
Ranking: No. 26
Last week: No 27
Any talk of replacing Sam Howell has rightly dissipated, as he’s now strung together two more impressive games, on top of the ones he stacked earlier in the year. Who knows how the rest of the season will go? Either way, he should be considered the guy from here on out. Even though Howell is good for at least one regrettable play per game, he’s shown the kind of composure and dual-threat ability at least a dozen other teams (including the Patriots, whom he vanquished Sunday) would love to have at the QB position right now. The Commanders’ defense also deserves a back pat for turning in a strong team effort after losing its two top pass rushers. Credit to the replacements. There wasn’t a massive drop-off in Washington’s first game without Montez Sweat and Chase Young.
USA TODAY Sports
Ranking: No. 28
Last week: No. 30
Fresh off consecutive 300-yard games for the first time in his career, QB Sam Howell now leads the NFC with 2,471 passing yards – a figure that may continue to rise after the defense was stripped at the trade deadline.
Yahoo Sports
Ranking: No. 23
Last week: No. 25
The Commanders had to notice Sam Howell throwing for more than 700 yards over the past two games. They need an answer on Howell and if he can be their future at quarterback. There are still questions about that and a lot of things Howell still needs to clean up, but he is improving. That sets him up well for the second half of the season.
Bleacher Report
Ranking: No. 23
Last week: No. 25
If the past week has been any indication, the Washington Commanders don’t have very high expectations for the remainder of the 2023 season. The team traded away both its starting defensive ends, trading edge-rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young to the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers, respectively.
But for one Sunday at least, the Commanders were able to get it done. Sam Howell threw for 325 yards against the Pats, running back Brian Robinson found the end zone and Washington’s new-look defense allowed a respectable 327 yards of offense and notched a late takeaway to seal the win.
“The Commanders looked like they were ready to enter a full-blown rebuild when they decided to move both Montez Sweat and Chase Young prior to this year’s trade deadline. But the team didn’t roll over,” Sobleski said. “Instead, Washington went to New England and claimed a victory over the Patriots. In doing so, one of the Commanders’ biggest questions may have been answered. The team is rallying behind second-year quarterback Sam Howell. If the franchise is set at quarterback moving forward, the front office can seriously concentrate on building up the rest of the roster.”
Pro Football Talk
Ranking: No. 24
Last week: No. 25
Just when it seemed like they were giving up, they got their act together.
The Athletic
Ranking: No. 21
Last week: No. 25
Sam Howell has more passing yards than anyone in the NFL in the last two weeks (722). More surprisingly, he has been sacked only four times in those two games. Still, the Commanders haven’t beaten anyone with a winning record and their four victims have a combined record of 10-25.
PFN
Ranking: No. 23
Last week: No. 25
Sometimes, things will go well, and other times, things will go poorly. But things will always be interesting when Sam Howell is the starting quarterback. Howell’s ability is obvious. The undersized quarterback can sling it all over the field, and he can take seven sacks doing it while also throwing a few interceptable passes along the way.
FOX Sports
Ranking: No. 20
Last week: No. 22
Sometimes, Sam Howell gives you the good and the bad in the same game. Against New England, the young quarterback was capable of a 325-yard passing day with a touchdown, as well as a red-zone interception. All part of the process. The Commanders have had some brutal letdowns this season, but Howell’s play has largely been a bright spot.
CBS Sports
Ranking: No. 19
Last week: No. 24
The offense has played well the past two weeks with Sam Howell coming on strong. They beat the Patriots with over 400 yards of offense, which is a good sign as they get to 4-5 on the season.
