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Commanders Draw Comparison To AFC Contender originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Washington Commanders had one of the most remarkable turnarounds in league history last season. After a dismal 2023 season, the Commanders won eight more games than the year prior and reached the conference title game for the first time in 30 years.
The tricky part for Washington is sustaining that level of success.
While many people believe the organization should be easily able to accomplish that, one AFC team should serve as a reality check going forward.
Much like the Commanders in 2023, the Houston Texans were one of the worst football teams in 2022. They had the second-overall pick in the draft, took a quarterback, and completely revamped their coaching staff.
It all helped them win the division title and a playoff game two years ago.
Houston made the playoffs in 2024, but they took a step back as a contender.
That is why Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine thinks the Commanders should try to strive for better in their second season of this regime.
"C.J. Stroud wasn't quite as impactful as a rookie as Daniels was. He did, however, lift the Texans offense from the worst in the league to at least above-average as a rookie," Ballentine wrote. "The Texans then got aggressive and signed Stefon Diggs and traded for Joe Mixon. It looked like they were set to become a top-five offense...Until they didn't make that jump."
Ballentine compared Washington's significant offseason additions this year to the moves made by Houston last year. It's a clear reminder that what worked for a rebuilding team in one season is not guaranteed to do so for the next.
And exactly why the Commander's comparisons to Houston may be more accurate than initially thought.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Continue reading...
The Washington Commanders had one of the most remarkable turnarounds in league history last season. After a dismal 2023 season, the Commanders won eight more games than the year prior and reached the conference title game for the first time in 30 years.
The tricky part for Washington is sustaining that level of success.
While many people believe the organization should be easily able to accomplish that, one AFC team should serve as a reality check going forward.
Much like the Commanders in 2023, the Houston Texans were one of the worst football teams in 2022. They had the second-overall pick in the draft, took a quarterback, and completely revamped their coaching staff.
It all helped them win the division title and a playoff game two years ago.
Houston made the playoffs in 2024, but they took a step back as a contender.
That is why Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine thinks the Commanders should try to strive for better in their second season of this regime.
"C.J. Stroud wasn't quite as impactful as a rookie as Daniels was. He did, however, lift the Texans offense from the worst in the league to at least above-average as a rookie," Ballentine wrote. "The Texans then got aggressive and signed Stefon Diggs and traded for Joe Mixon. It looked like they were set to become a top-five offense...Until they didn't make that jump."
Ballentine compared Washington's significant offseason additions this year to the moves made by Houston last year. It's a clear reminder that what worked for a rebuilding team in one season is not guaranteed to do so for the next.
And exactly why the Commander's comparisons to Houston may be more accurate than initially thought.
Related: Hall of Fame Receiver Demands Commanders Pay Terry McLaurin
Related: Commanders Rival Gives Love To Jayden Daniels
Related: Commanders Rival Gives Love To Jayden Daniels
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Continue reading...