After massive offseason turnover, expectations were not too high for head coach Dan Quinn and the Washington franchise in 2024. However, after an impressive start to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ career, the Washington Commanders’ playoff scenarios are very real, with paths to several seeds.
Let’s see what the Commanders’ playoff chances are and if they have an opportunity to win the NFC East, especially after their Week 15 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
Try out Pro Football Network’s FREE playoff predictor, where you can simulate every game of the NFL season and see how it all shakes out!
Commanders Playoff Scenarios | Week 15 Update
NFC Scores in Week 15 Relevant to Playoff Race
- Rams defeated 49ers, 12-6
- Commanders defeated Saints, 20-19
- Cowboys defeated Panthers, 30-14
- Buccaneers defeated Chargers, 40-17
- Cardinals defeated Patriots, 30-17
- Bills defeated Lions, 48-42
- Eagles defeated Steelers, 27-13
- Packers defeated Seahawks, 30-13
After the Commanders’ win over the Saints, they improved to 9-5 and now have a 65.4% chance of making the playoffs. The NFC East is basically out of the picture right now, with only a 3.6% chance of somehow surpassing the Eagles, who are 12-2.
But it’s not totally out of the question. The Eagles will take on the Commanders, Cowboys, and Giants. If the Eagles collapse, Washington can make a climb up the ladder and steal the NFC East from Philadelphia.
In fact, they even have a chance at the No. 1 seed, despite a 12-2 Detroit Lions and an 11-2 Minnesota Vikings, among others, standing in the way. However, those chances can end this week if Minnesota beats or ties Chicago.
If they can’t grab the division, they have a good chance of making the playoffs as a Wild Card team. They are currently the 7th seed, but they have a few teams breathing down their back.
The Seahawks, at 8-6, are currently the eighth seed after losing to the Packers in Week 15. After that, it gets interesting. The Cardinals are 7-7, while the Falcons are 6-6. The 49ers and Cowboys are both 6-8.
Things could get quite hairy for the Commanders if they can’t take care of business over the next few weeks. Fortunately, Washington has a favorable schedule to maintain a playoff seed, with the 18th-hardest remaining strength of schedule. They’ll face the Eagles, Falcons, and Cowboys in the coming weeks.
Head over to PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor, where you can choose who will win the remaining NFL games to see your ideal playoff picture and how it differs from the current NFL playoff bracket.
