One publication Thursday actually had the headline “Washington Commanders will win the NFC East.”
With the power and depth the Eagles appear to have, and Dallas also easily finishing ahead of the Giants and Commanders, it was surprising to read the TWSN headline Thursday.
What are the conclusions presented as a rationale for why Washington will win the NFC East in 2023?
Interestingly enough, as the story points out, Washington has still not had a winning season since the 2015 and 2016 teams when Kirk Cousins was the starting quarterback.
The current quarterback, Sam Howell, brings a running threat to the Washington offense they have not had since Robert Griffin in 2012. The weapons that Howell will possess in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, along with a healthy Logan Thomas and Cole Turner, could be significant in Howell’s development.
If Chase Young is fully back from his ACL injury of 2021, the TWSN story states Washington will increase their sack production from last season (2022).
With the development of safeties Darrick Forrest and Kam Curl and the addition of their top two selections being defensive backs, Washington has improved itself athletically in the defensive backfield.
The offense will be significantly different as new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was allowed to hire his own staff, and he brings his offensive philosophy from Kansas City.
The author feels that the Commanders have improved their overall roster and coaching to some degree but that the other three divisional rivals can’t say the same.
He points to Dallas losing Kellen Moore to the Eagles, having lost both coordinators. The Giants, meanwhile, are still struggling to improve at receiver and may not be able to resign running back Saquon Barkley.
Here is the TWSN story in full.