Washington Commanders Need to be 'Reimagined' as Power Ranking Position Falls

Sports Illustrated's latest power rankings have the Washington Commanders slotted at No. 24.

The Washington Commanders are in a precarious position, sitting at 4-6 as the season begins to reach its home stretch.

Washington's coming off a difficult 29-26 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, halting momentum after a victory the week before over the New England Patriots.

The Commanders are two games behind the Minnesota Vikings for the last wildcard spot, and with second-year quarterback Sam Howell taking his game to the next level of late, remain capable of putting together a second half surge.

Howell 'Putting Things Together!' Says Rivera

But Washington remains on the wrong half of the league's top teams, with Sports Illustrated slotting the Commanders at No. 24 in this week's power rankings.

"I was silently rooting for the Commanders on Sunday, if only because I enjoy complicated situations and having the Commanders go on a post–Chase Young/Montez Sweat trade run would make for a very complicated situation," Sports Illustrated writes.

"Unfortunately, it seems the Commanders are flashing just enough potential on a moment-to-moment basis that we have to wonder what the team would look like if reimagined just slightly."

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera reacts during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium / Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Washington has a challenging final seven games, with two matchups against the Dallas Cowboys (6-3) still to come, along with home contests against the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers, both of whom are also 6-3.

None of the Commanders' four wins - the Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons - came over teams currently holding winning records, making the task at hand that much more difficult.

But Washington remains alive and has enjoyed positive performances of late ... although, as Sports Illustrated noted, it's only fair to ponder where the Commanders could be with a few structural changes.

Washington looks to get back in the win column Sunday, when it hosts the New York Giants (2-8) inside FedEx Field. Kickoff between the two NFC East foes is set for 1 p.m. EST.