What’s it like for a post-1993 Commanders alum like Santana Moss to see the squad back in the NFC Championship Game?
“I've been kind of trying to keep it steady; I'm one of those guys who is never too high, never too low, and that's where I'm at now, man,” Moss told BMitch & Finlay Tuesday. “I said coming into the season, I really had no high expectations from the team, I just wanted these guys to honestly go out there and let the coaching staff and the team show what they're gonna be for the future. I don’t want to change it now; I'm superstitious, and BMitch is always having fun with how superstitious I am, but I have that same kind of feeling now. I've been allowing them to really go out there and just show us what they want and how bad they want it, and they've been doing it thus far.”
And the duo that’s really been doing it? Kliff Kingsbury and Jayden Daniels.
“You gotta give a lot of credit to Kingsbury for putting Jayden in great positions and situations, and when you look at those moments, a lot of credit to Kliff just having the right kind of formula for him to be able to be exceptional in,” Moss said. “And then it’s him finding the right person; Jayden’s decision-making is way beyond being a rookie. He's made clutch decisions in critical times under pressure, and moments of games where you don't normally see a guy that young respond that way. He’s found a way that no matter what they throw at him or try to do to him, he gets up with a smile and goes out there and goes at them again.”
Santana of course gave some early thoughts on how the Commanders can win this weekend, specifically by preying on a potentially wounder Jalen Hurts and stopping Saquon Barkley – but that may all depend on the officials, as Shawn Hochuli’s crew is the one that stopped the clock near the end of the Commanders-Saints game, and is a crew the Birds are 6-0 with as the officials.
“I think for the most part, whether you want to call it house money or not, this team is playing and showing you what you can do when you're coached as well as these guys are being coached,” Moss said. “So, I'm gonna lay it on the line and just say it: those guys are gonna be mentally and physically prepared. And screw the refs, man, you know what I'm saying? They ain't had our back all year, so I ain't looking forward for no refs to come in there and have our back this game. We’re gonna handle business just like we've been handling without the refs and all!”
Of course, it helps that the Commanders have already beaten Philly this year, so why not again?
“I have to think that with the coaching staff being as cool as they are and understanding every moment and how to have these guys prepared and ready for every moment, they're probably all geeked up,” Moss said. “You saw them after the game in Detroit – I’m sure they brought a lot of spirit with them back home, but now it’s time to prepare and get ready to have something to be really excited about. I’m sure the staff is going to have them focused and ready to go out and play a flawless game and come home with a W – and then we definitely have a reason to be excited!”