Commanders surge in ESPN's power rankings
The Washington Commanders are rapidly becoming one of the league's biggest surprises in 2023. It's only two games, obviously, but there's something different about this newly-inspired franchise benefitting enormously from new ownership.
This is further reflected in ESPN's power rankings, which saw the Commanders surge from No. 21 to No.12. Beat reporter John Keim highlighted the production of stud defensive end Montez Sweat in a contract year as a huge reason behind their good fortunes.
"[Montez] Sweat and fellow end Chase Young will be free agents after the season. But Washington has made it clear the Commanders would like to extend Sweat, playing on his fifth-year option, at some point. Any movement toward an extension, though, was slowed by the ownership change with the group having more urgent matters to focus on. Sweat has been a terrific edge run defender, but his highest sack total is nine. However, through two games this season, Sweat has two sacks and two forced fumbles. He's learning from assistant line coach Ryan Kerrigan, the franchise's all-time sack leader. "RK has been helping him to finish at the top of the rush," said defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina. "He's doing a hell of a job doing it.""John Keim, ESPN
Again, the Commanders could easily fluff their lines in the coming weeks against teams that fancy their chances of Super Bowl involvement this season. But momentum is everything where the NFL is concerned and there aren't many teams around the league with more of that than Washington right now.