Commanders Eye Playoff Berth: How Washington Can Secure Their Spot in the Postseason
The Washington Commanders have made a surprising run this season, exceeding expectations and keeping their playoff hopes alive as the 2024 NFL season heads into its final weeks. While few expected Washington to be in this position, the strong performance of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's game plans have propelled the Commanders to a potential postseason berth.
Entering Week 17, Washington has a 94% chance of making the playoffs, according to The Athletic's playoff prediction model. However, their road to the postseason isn't without challenges. Although they are out of contention for the NFC East title—thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles' dominant victory over the Dallas Cowboys—they are still firmly in the race for a wild-card spot. As it stands, Washington is well-positioned to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2020, a significant achievement for a team that was not widely regarded as a contender entering the season.
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The Commanders' playoff journey is entirely in their own hands. They need to win at least one of their final two games to secure a playoff spot. The key to Washington's chances lies in their remaining matchups—first, a home game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17, followed by a road game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. If Washington can win one of these contests, their ticket to the postseason is almost guaranteed.
While a Commanders victory is crucial, they also need some help from other teams. For Washington to officially clinch a spot, the Buccaneers must either lose or tie in their final game against the New Orleans Saints, and the Falcons must lose to the Carolina Panthers. Should the Commanders finish with the same record as both the Buccaneers and Falcons, they could be eliminated, as Tampa Bay would edge them out due to a head-to-head win in Week 1.
Despite these obstacles, the Commanders are optimistic about their postseason chances. Their schedule isn't overly daunting, as their two remaining opponents—Atlanta and Dallas—have a combined winning percentage of just .484. This puts Washington in a favorable position to pick up at least one victory, though the Falcons game could be a real test. Atlanta, currently holding a slim lead over the Buccaneers for the NFC South title, is still very much in the playoff picture themselves.
In terms of playoff matchups, Washington could end up facing one of the NFC's top teams, likely the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, or even the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, depending on the final standings. If the Commanders do make it to the postseason, an intriguing rematch against the Eagles could be in the cards, offering a chance for Washington to avenge their earlier season defeat.
With just two weeks left, Washington’s destiny is in their hands. If they can keep their focus and secure at least one win, they will punch their ticket to the playoffs and make a strong case for themselves as one of the NFC's most exciting underdog stories.
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