Commanders v. Falcons: Washington fans excited as team nears playoff picture
Excitement grows for fans hoping Commanders reach playoffs
Anticipation is building for Commanders fans as their chances at hitting the playoffs hinge on this Sunday's primetime game against the Atlanta Falcons. FOX 5's David Kaplan spoke with some who are hoping the red and gold will see the postseason.
WASHINGTON - Anticipation continues building for the Washington Commanders as they prepare for a game against the Atlanta Falcons that could determine if they reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Fans say they are hyped and hopeful for the first time in years.
"I haven’t seen them be good in pretty much in my entire life. So, really, a year of good football, it’s finally something nice to see," fan Oliver Jones said. "I’m hoping we win. It’s exciting. We haven’t been good in a long time, so it’s definitely nice to see it."
More than anything, the fact that the Commanders have this opportunity says a lot about this team, quarterback Jayden Daniels and the direction the franchise is going.
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"We’re overdue. We’re overdue, you know what I’m saying. It’s our turn," another Commanders fan told FOX 5.
The Commanders' last two trips to the playoffs were in 2015 and 2020. In both of those years, the clinching game that sent the team to the postseason were road games, giving some added juice to Sunday Night’s primetime game.
The atmosphere will matter here – it’s an equally important game for the visiting Falcons who are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive and will do so with the guy chosen six picks after Jayden Daniels, lefty rookie quarterback Michael Penix Junior.
Fans say they’re ready.
"I’m very excited. It’ll be good to be in the playoffs again," Ron Alexander said. "After tomorrow, we’ll be in the playoffs."
Some promising news for the Commanders came Saturday.
Defensive Tackle Jonathan Allen was activated after missing ten weeks due to injury and the team announced for the primetime game, they’re going with all burgundy uniforms for the game.
And while the easiest path for the Commanders to make the playoffs is to win, if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to the Carolina Panthers in their 1 p.m. game Sunday, that would also clinch a spot for Washington.