There are five weeks left in the 2024 season, but if the playoffs started today, the Washington Commanders would be one of the seven NFC teams competing for a Super Bowl appearance.
The Commanders outperformed the expectations of several national analysts by going 7-2 to start the first year of the Adam Peters-Dan Quinn era. With four games remaining on their schedule, they have already doubled their win total from 2023 with an 8-5 record.
**The New York Times’ playoff simulator** gives them an 84% chance of making the postseason right now, and that number will only increase if they keep winning games.
Let's look at where the playoff picture stands heading into Week 14.
Division leaders
No. 1 Detroit Lions (11-1)
The Lions have been on a roll after a slight stumble against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, having won their last 10 games. They have a top five passing (5th) and rushing (4th) offense, and veteran Jared Goff has the unit scoring 31.9 points per game while ranking second in completion rate.
Next opponents: Packers, Bills, Bears, 49ers, Vikings
No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)
The addition of Saquon Barkley has been a revelation for the Eagles, and after starting the season 2-2, they have rolled past their last eight opponents, including the Commanders in a 26-18 loss for the Burgundy & Gold and most recently a 24-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Barkley, who leads the league in rushing yards (1,499) and attempts (246) is on pace for 2,124 yards, which would break the single-season record of 2,105 yads set by Erick Dickerson in 1984.
Next opponents: Panthers, Steelers, Commanders, Cowboys, Giants
No. 3 Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
The Seahawks strengthened their hold on the NFC West last weekend with a 26-21 win over the New York Jets that saw Leonard Williams return an Aaron Rodgers interception 92 yards to help come back from a 21-7 deficit. The Seahawks will need to continue riding this newfound momentum that has them on a three-game win streak, because the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams are only one loss behind them.
Next opponents: Cardinals, Packers, Vikings, Bears, Rams
No. 4 Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
The Falcons remain ahead in the NFC South, but their grasp is slipping after suffering a 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. They're on a three-game losing streak with two teams -- the Vikings and Commanders -- who still have playoff aspirations left on the schedule. They'll be fighting off the Buccaneers in their division to host a home postseason game.
Next opponents: Vikings, Raiders, Giants, Commanders, Panthers
Wild card
No. 5 Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
Like the Commanders, the Vikings have surprised many with how they have performed this season by winning 10 games with quality victories against the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers. They also hung tough with the Lions, losing by just two points. They aren't a top statistical unit on offense or defense, but Sam Darnold has the team humming with a career-high 23 touchdowns and 67.6 completion percentage.
Next opponents: Falcons, Bears, Seahawks, Packers, Lions
No. 6 Green Bay Packers (9-3)
Despite Jordan Love missing extended time at various points of the season, the Packers have looked consistent in most of their games. They put up at least 30 points in their last two games, and while Love is tied for third in interceptions, the Packers' offense is one of the best in football with the fifth best ground attack.
Next opponents: Lions, Seahawks, Saints, Vikings, Bears
No. 7 Washington Commanders (8-5)
The Commanders got back to looking like one of the best offenses in football last week with a convincing 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans. Jayden Daniels played well against the league's No. 2 defense, completing 83% of his passes for three touchdowns -- a first for the rookie -- while Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr. led a ground game that rushed for 267 yards and three scores on 45 carries. The defense, which rose from near the bottom of the league rankings at the start of the season to become a respectable group, held the Titans to 81 yards in the first half, paving the way for the offense to build a 28-0 lead.
The Commanders control their destiny with their last four games left on the schedule. If Sunday's blowout win is the start of a bounce back and they can string together some wins, they have a strong chance of making the postseason for the first time since 2020.
Next opponents: Saints, Eagles, Falcons, Cowboys
