EB: Commanders 'have a little bit of that magic' and could go all the way?

Next year, the Commanders will get the NFC North, AFC West, Atlanta, Seattle, and Miami next year – so add in two divisional games against Philadelphia, and they’ll be playing eight games against playoff teams and three more against teams that went 8-9 or better.

That’s capital-B Brutal, and with a lot of guys on one-year deals this year, there may be a lot of turnover in Landover/Ashburn as well…so the Junkies wonder if this is the best chance for these Commanders to make a run?

“All season long, I’ve said don’t be foolish, this is probably not a playoff team, and now it’s turned into, why not us? We have 12 freaking wins, and I think a lot of them sort of improbable, so we gotta take advantage of it now!” EB said Monday. “We got a great quarterback, a great wide receiver, if Lattimore could stay healthy, allegedly we have a great corner, I mean we got all the ingredients. We got a Hall of Fame linebacker leading us, Zach Ertz – who knows if these guys will be back, but it feels like we have that chemistry.”

The 2024 Commanders remind EB of the ragtag 2019 Nats that won it all, and JP agrees maybe there’s just some of that magic formula, but he thinks this franchise is set up long-term, even if not short-term, for playoff success.

“I would anticipate them having these moments many times during Jayden Daniels’ career,” JP said. “Every team gets to the playoffs and wants to make the most of it, but right now, I don’t think they’re in the elite class with the Ravens, Buffalo, etc.”

“I don’t think we’re the best team, but I think we can win it all, we have that chemistry,” EB replied.

“Yeah, I think it's going to be sustainable, which great, and is something that hasn't happened for many years,” Cakes chimed in, “but I think they’re under-talented right now.”

As Valdez reminded, though, ‘the best team doesn’t always win,’ leading EB to once again exhort seizing the day.

“This team has that magic; sometimes you have it or you don’t, but they do,” EB said. “They got the right mix of veterans and young guys, and who knows what's gonna happen next year? There are stopgaps, but on this team, they’re all critical. I think Jayden’s a Hall of Famer, but he still needs help, and the key guys this year are old farts, and I don’t know if we’re necessarily gonna upgrade from them next year! This is the year, we have to seize the day, and I think we're actually capable of doing it.”

Sorry, EB, but JP thinks beating the Bucs wouldn’t be a shock, and even an NFC Championship Game appearance could happen, but not going all the way.

“I believe in chemistry, leadership, all this stuff - whatever they got, they got something going this year!” EB said. “It reminds me of the Caps, when they first made their resurgence in the Rock the Red era.”

“I think they can have that, with better talent going forward. That's why I just think that this year isn't that critical, because I feel like they're gonna have many opportunities with Jayden Daniels if he keeps progressing,” Cakes replied.

Take a listen to the whole convo above!