Dan Quinn is not interested in the Commanders' rags to riches narrative

Dan Quinn has done a miraculous job of getting the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship game. At the same time, he's not interested in his team's rags to riches narrative.

The head coach galvanized a downtrodden organization, taking the Commanders from four wins in Ron Rivera's final campaign to 12 triumphs and sixth seed in the conference. Two playoff successes later, Washington has the Super Bowl in its sights.

It's been more than three decades since the Commanders found themselves in this situation. Fans can scarsely believe what's unfolding in front of their eyes. Washington has gone way beyond anyone's expectations. Beating the Detroit Lions comfortably on the road put another exclamation point on a jaw-dropping campaign.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn continues to ignore the outside noise

Now the Commanders are here, Quinn doesn't want to fall at the final hurdle. He made that abundantly clear during his first media availability of the week in front of a much bigger presence than usual.

"We just don't let the outside narrative kind of drive it. Internally, we've got a lot of expectations about how we can play and what we can do, but we never went too far outside of things. Did we feel dismissed or put off? Yeah, of course. I think that happened in the opening game, 'hang in there, it's gonna be a long time'. Oh yeah, F you. I was upset, but it wasn't disrespect, it was dismissiveness. I felt some kind of way but it didn't motivate me more. That's what they think of us, it wasn't disrespect, we're gonna be a lot better than what we showed today [Week 1], and eventually we'll show that. It's not a prove it to anyone else or an underdog story. It's how we get down. It's not a seven-game series, so we've got to play our best on Sunday at three o'clock."

Dan Quinn

Nobody gave the Commanders much hope this season. They got a heavy beatdown at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to begin their 2024 engagements. This left people feeling a sense of apathy towards Quinn and his squad. He wasn't going to stand for that.

Focusing on the next challenge and nothing more. Playing with a sense of freedom and making sure everyone was aware of their assignments. Installing a sense of purpose and belief in the locker room and a culture that had been sorely lacking. Allowing the players to develop trust between one another in pursuit of overcoming every obstacle. Those were the primary objectives that never wavered.

And the results speak for themselves.

The Commanders are bracing themselves for a third battle with the Philadelphia Eagles this season. They are going on the road again to another hostile environment with a chance to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. The stakes have rarely between higher between the fierce division rivals. Whoever handles the pressure cooker better will emerge victorious.

Quinn will have his men ready. They've beaten the Eagles once already this season and confidence is high after seven straight victories. The Commanders are underdogs, but that's not bothered them in the postseason so far and is unlikely to do so again.

Washington never shirks a challenge with Quinn leading the charge. He's a no-nonsense individual and a respected leader. Players and coaches hang on his every word. They willingly follow him into battle and know he'll steer them through the chaos.

This is not Quinn's first rodeo. He's been to the NFC Championship before and tasted success as Atlanta Falcons head coach. This experience will serve him and the Commanders well before, during, and after their big moment.

And after everything they've accomplished against the odds so far, writing them off entirely is extremely foolish. If the Commanders win, it would turn this feel-good story into so much more.

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