The Washington Commanders have been the season's feel-good story, racing out to a 4-1 record and curb-stomping teams along the way.
The play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the offense has been a highlight, and so too has Joe Whitt Jr.'s defense. With Washington rattling off four consecutive wins, some fans might be dreaming of postseason football.
But how does head coach Dan Quinn keep his playing group on the straight and narrow while outside the building, fans and media alike are all aboard the Commanders hype train?
“I think what I try to do all the time is really as often as we can, we try to make it about us and our improvement and just being absolutely obsessed with trying to get better," Quinn said. "What are the things specifically we want to do better, and how do we go after it knowing that it does come down to us first, that's how we dig in right away. So a lot of work to do before it's go time.”
Quinn is right. We know how fickle the NFL can be and how quickly things can turn, and we don't have to look too far to see the Buffalo Bills, who were 3-0 and flying, are now suddenly 3-2 and are in a tough spot.
So, it's clear Quinn wants to narrow the focus of his players. While the excitement and hope building around the organization are noticeable, the job is far from done.
It is a long season, and while it is only five games into the year, Washington has been one of the more consistent teams in football.
But you're only as good as your last game, and while the hype train is plowing full-steam ahead, come unstuck in a bad way against the Baltimore Ravens, and perhaps that might just lower the expectation bar in Washington.
