"In 2020, Ron Rivera led the team now known as the Washington Commanders on one of the most unlikely playoff runs in NFL history. At one point, Rivera's club stood at 2-7. In most years, the playoffs would be a pipe dream at that point. Still, in 2020, the two most talented rosters in the NFC East - the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys - suffered devastating injuries that virtually eliminated them from contention for the division crown."
"Washington won the division despite using three different starting quarterbacks in the regular season and a fourth in the playoffs. They won despite having a losing record. They won thanks to strong play by young players and excellent luck. The following year, it all fell apart. It began the three-year decline that eventually led to Dan Snyder's removal from the club. Team ownership is not about to change for the Commanders."
"There are significant differences in management and personnel. As much fun as that 2020 team was, they were nowhere near as good as last year's edition. Washington had a plus-six point differential for the season in 2020. That virtually defines a mediocre team. Last year, the Commanders were plus-94, the mark of a good club. The Rivera team of 2020 was built on its defense, especially Chase Young. The offense was not very good, but the defense ranked near the top of the league."
Ron Rivera's 2020 Washington team began 2-7 but won the NFC East after injuries crippled the Eagles and Cowboys. Washington used three regular-season starting quarterbacks and a fourth in the playoffs while finishing with a losing record, buoyed by young players and luck. The franchise then entered a decline the next year that contributed to Dan Snyder's eventual removal. Comparison with later seasons shows major personnel and management differences, notably a stark swing in point differential and a defensive collapse after a previously strong defense centered on Chase Young.
Read at Riggo's Rag
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