3 distinct advantages Commanders have over the Eagles in 2022
By Jerry Trotta
The Washington Commanders will be hoping to get revenge on the Philadelphia Eagles after they dropped both games against their NFC East rivals in 2021. Of course, Washington’s roster was absolutely decimated due to COVID-19 and injuries for one of those games. Fans will recall Garrett Gilbert starting.
Both the Commanders and Eagles improved this offseason, but Philly is generating buzz as one of the NFC’s top teams for the upcoming season.
If that’s the case, then Washington belongs in the same category because there isn’t much separating these rivals on paper. Both squads are built to win in the trenches with dominant offensive and defensive lines. Both secondaries are unproven, but have elite potential if everything comes together.
With these rivals seemingly deadlocked in terms of comparing rosters, what advantages (if any) does Washington have over the Birds?
3 clear advantages the Commanders have over the Eagles
3. Tight End
We don’t refute the notion that Dallas Goedert is more talented than the Commanders’ No. 1 tight end, Logan Thomas. However, there isn’t much separating the two players and Philly’s depth at the position can’t hold a candle to Washington’s.
By that logic, that gives the Commanders the clear edge at tight end.
We have a feeling Thomas, who’s currently finishing his ACL rehab, will close the gap and remind everyone that he’s a top 10 player at the position when he returns. In his last full season, Thomas tallied 72 catches for 670 yards and six TDs.
For those curious, Goedert’s best season came in 2021 when he posted 56 catches for 830 yards and four scores. Again, not that big of a difference.
Furthermore, the Commanders have three backup tight ends — John Bates, Cole Turner and Armani Rogers — who could play a role as pass-catchers. Not to mention Curtis Hodges and Sammis Reyes make the group six deep.
Very few teams in the NFL can say their TE room has six capable players and the Eagles’ definitely aren’t one of them with Nebraska product Jack Stoll and former Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson as their top backups behind Goedert.