'Watch Out for Washington!' Coach Predicts Commanders Better than Cowboys

The Commanders are more of a threat to the Eagles than the Cowboys are? That is a ... well, rarely-held opinion.

The Philadelphia Eagles seem like a known commodity, a Super Bowl finalist that lost seven starters but seems to have re-loaded efficiently. The Dallas Cowboys boast a roster that seems loaded - as long as QB Dak Prescott doesn't lead the NFL in interceptions. And the New York Giants shocked all with their performance during the 2022 season, earning a Wild Card spot and winning a playoff game. ... and now they have re-signed the two key guys in QB Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley.

All of that seems rather problematic for the Washington Commanders, who will get a fresh start of sorts under new ownership led by Josh Harris. But given that the roster is largely the same - and dependent on young QB Sam Howell to lead it out of the wilderness - the Commanders have problems ... right?

An anonymous NFC South defensive coach who spoke to Matt Lombardo of FanBuzz suggests otherwise.

“Watch out for Washington," the coach said. "They have talent on defense and now some offensive innovation. They’re the Eagles’ biggest threat."

That is saying a mouthful, for while the remark credits Washington with adding offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy (fully understandable), it also denigrates Dallas. 

The Commanders are more of a threat to the Eagles than the Cowboys are? That is a ... well, rarely-held opinion.

The coach continued: "I still think it’s Philly’s division to lose, but the Eagles could have a drop off now playing a first-place schedule. Dallas will have extreme pressure with their head coach calling the plays, and a tough schedule. I think the Giants finish fourth, the expectations for Daniel Jones are just a little too high."

Could the Giants end up finishing last in the NFC East? We are looking at what is arguably the toughest division in the NFL, and it would not be surprising if all four teams take a chunk out of one another as they all spent at least part of the year hovering right around the .500 mark.

But let's show Dallas its due respect: The Cowboys' record against the NFC East since 2016 is 30-12. That includes a 10-4 record against Washington.

And let's show Philly its due respect: The Eagles have been to two Super Bowls in the last six years. The Commanders ... well ... haven't.

Somebody is going to finish in fourth place in the NFC East. We will argue that logic says the Commanders' great challenge and great hope is that that team is the Giants ... and not the team from Washington.

---

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Washington Commanders? Click Here.

Follow Commander Country on Twitter.

Want even more Washington Commanders news? Check out the SI.com team page here