Commanders Are an NFL Playoff Team 'Except...'

With quarterbacks Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett, the most important position is where Pro Football Focus says the Washington Commanders fall short.

It's a make-or-break season for Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell according to some, and it certainly is one for coach Ron Rivera and the team's front office.

And in a season with so much riding on the Commanders' regular season performance and how it sets them up for a playoff run - if they even sniff the postseason - a lot of outsiders are confused why the team is putting all of that fate into the hands of a second-year quarterback, including Pro Football Focus.

"There's a lot to like about Washington's roster," says PFF. "They have everything you need to be a playoff team...except the quarterback. They won't carry the advantage in that department most weeks with Sam Howell or Jacoby Brissett."

We'll be the first to admit Howell hasn't done much to prove he's a true-blue franchise-leading quarterback.

In his one career start, he did lead Washington to a win in Week 18 of last season over the hated Dallas Cowboys.

But many have detracted from that win by pointing out the Cowboys didn't have much to gain by winning and were likely looking past that final game to the postseason where they'd go on to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida during the NFC Wild Card Round.

Certainly, there's some validity to that claim, but we'd contend Howell has also done literally nothing to show he can't be a franchise quarterback at this point.

And having earned the confidence of an NFL coaching staff should be looked at as positive, not negative.

In a world where media tries to be the modern-day fortune tellers for fans with betting and fantasy football implications tied to player performances, it's not uncommon for situations like this to be doubted until given a reason to think otherwise.

The Commanders provide an easy target for underestimation, and if Howell proves them wrong, nobody will blame PFF for not buying in ahead of time.

Washington will also look to bring back a mostly dominant defensive unit led by players like defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and safety Kamren Curl while hoping to get a resurgent performance from the recently slighted defensive end Chase Young.

"Coming into the NFL with huge expectations, Young mostly fulfilled them during his 2020 rookie season," says PFF. "Washington curiously declined his fifth-year option...has elite talent, and the Commanders' success will be carried by their defense. A double-digit sack performance could make them an elite unit - and could line up Young for a big payday."

Having a top-tier defense to rely on helps any NFL quarterback, but would come in especially handy as the Commanders look to get their young one off to a good start in a season with a lot of jobs on the line.

Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.

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