The opinions expressed in this article are from national reporters and do not reflect those of the team.
The Washington Commanders are coming off their bye week rested and ready for their final four opponents. Here's how pundits rank Washington among the NFL.
ESPN
Rank: 10
Week 14 ranking: 10
- John Keim: Under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy last season, Washington rushed for more than 125 yards only twice and ranked 27th in rushing yards per game (93.6). Now, it averages 156.9 rushing yards per game. Some of that stems from quarterback Jayden Daniels, but even if it was just the running backs, Washington would still rank eighth and average almost 14 more yards per game than a year ago. It has been an emphasis under coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and it has led to five games with more than 200 rushing yards and nine with more than 125.
Pro Football Talk
Rank: 10
Week 14 ranking: 10
- Mike Florio: Don't look now, but their sure-fire postseason berth isn't so sure anymore.
Bleacher Report
Rank: 12
Week 14 ranking: 12
- B/R Staff: Daniels has been the star of this surprising season in the nation's capital, but he told reporters that, in his opinion, getting running back Brian Robinson and the ground game going is the key to success in December.
Yahoo Sports
Rank: 10
Week 14 ranking: 10
- Frank Schwab: The Commanders are in good shape for a playoff spot if they win at New Orleans on Sunday. Their playoff odds would get a lot worse if they blow that game, and we remember them being upset by the Cowboys recently.
USA Today
Rank: 9
Week 14 ranking: 8
- Nate Davis: The last time they won more than 10 games was 1991 – also the last time Washington enjoyed a Super Bowl season. Coming out of their bye at 8-5, the Commanders seem likely to be favored in three of their final four games, when they could be warding off NFC West teams for the conference's final playoff spot.
Sports Illustrated
Rank: 10
Week 14 ranking: 10
- **Conor Orr:** Coming off a bye and immediately inheriting the Saints without Derek Carr is not the worst situation for a Commanders team eyeing win No. 9. While I wouldn't discount this Saints team, there were about 9,000 things that had to go absolutely right in order for New Orleans to hang on against the Giants—one of the worst teams in the NFL.
The 33rd Team
Rank: 11
Week 14 ranking: 11
- **Marcus Mosher:** The Washington Commanders were on bye in Week 14, but they saw teams like the Buccaneers, 49ers, and Rams all win in the NFC. While they are still the favorites to earn the No. 7 seed, the need to go at least 2-2 in the next four weeks to earn that spot. That shouldn't be too difficult, but don't be surprised if their season comes down to a Week 18 game against the Cowboys in Dallas.
CBS Sports
Rank: 12
Week 14 ranking: 12
- **Pete Prisco:** They sit in the seventh spot in the playoff race coming off their bye, and the schedule is favorable the final four weeks. The bye had to be good for the continued improved health of quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Sporting News
Rank: 10
Week 14 ranking: 10
- Vinnie Iyer: The Commanders are looking better for locking down a wild-card berth after beating the Titans before the Week 14 bye. Their schedule sets them up well the rest of the way beyond a Week 16 home rematch with the Eagles.
