WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The Washington Commanders’ overtime win at home primetime Sunday night against Atlanta’s Falcons sealed the burgundy and gold’s first playoff return since 2020.
Football fans in the DMV are celebrating a swift reversal from an underperforming, inconsistent Redskins-turned-Commanders franchise under the previous ownership of Dan Snyder, who sold the team in July of 2023.
“I’ve been in misery, OK? I end up once burning all my paraphernalia. My wife thought I needed counseling. She said, ‘you didn’t play a second game, honey.’ But, it’s so emotional,” Bernard Carey told DC News. “This is everything I dreamed of.”
Team fans’ optimism only grew after Sunday’s win, which also brought 11 wins for the Commanders this season; a first since the Superbowl Champions of the 1991 season.
Amir, a young self-described Commanders fan, expressed joy while pedaling his bicycle in Navy Yard Monday.
“I’m excited because the football team, every win every day [counts],” he said.
Jasmyn Morgan, who was visiting D.C. said she supports her hometown Detroit Lions, but isn’t shy about supporting the Commanders.
“Like you, like us, Detroit, we’ve been the underdogs for so long, but we’re so excited to see you guys,” she said.
Lee Keels is born and bred in the District, but said if the Commanders return to the nation’s capital, he’s done supporting the Denver Broncos.
“If they move back home. I might come back home,” Keels said. “That’s where I want them at. That’s home.”
He said Washington, D.C. is where the team won all of its championships.
“That’s Washington, ain’t nothing Washington about Maryland or Virginia,” Keels said.
Now, fans are optimistic about the team’s future with Quarterback Jayden Daniels, new ownership and coaching staff.
