4 winners (and 3 losers) from first quarter of Commanders 2024 season
By Dean Jones
To say things have gone well for the Washington Commanders over the opening month of 2024 would be an understatement. There was cautious optimism among the fanbase following the monumental alterations from top to bottom over the offseason. What's transpired since is beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
The Commanders sit at 3-1 in the standings after a sensational run of form. They've altered perceptions around the league and confidence is reaching levels not seen for decades. This is immensely pleasing when one considers so many changes were expected to take time before bearing fruit.
There are still 13 games left and a lot can happen. Three wins won't equate to a successful campaign when it's all said and done. But finally, after so long in the proverbial wilderness, the Commanders look primed to make some much-needed noise and gain headlines for all the right reasons.
With that being said, here are four winners and three losers from the first quarter of Washington's 2024 season.
Winners and losers from the first quarter of Commanders 2024 season
Winner No. 1
Brian Robinson Jr. - Commanders RB
The Washington Commanders wanted to give more attention to the running back room this season. Eric Bieniemny's unbalanced scheme didn't do anybody much good last time around and head coach Dan Quinn opted to go in a different direction. Things look a lot more promising now thanks in no small part to Kliff Kingsbury's play-calling wizardry.
It also helps to have a promising young running back. Brian Robinson Jr. is proving his worth as a bell-cow presence capable of breaking off big yardage or grinding things out to keep defenses honest. That's a dangerous combination. Coupled with the presence of Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, it provides the Commanders with a formidable ground game alongside rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Robinson was confident he could flourish as one of the team's focal points on offense. Bieniemy didn't hold the same belief given his ignorance of the run game last season. That was a grave error in judgment looking at the way the former third-round pick out of Alabama has thrived under Kingsbury's guidance so far.