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How to Read this Chart

If any player name listed in the chart below is italicized, a team's grade will be expressed as a range instead of a single definite number. Italics indicate I have doubts about whether that player actually justifies inclusion within whatever category he's being associated with. Credible cases can be made for and against that player with respect to the criterion of the particular category where his name has been listed.
If a team's grade is expressed as a range, that range represents the worst-case scenario and best-case scenario. In the worst-case scenario, NO italicized player will be included in the scoring. In the best-case scenario, ALL italicized players will be included in the scoring.
Quarterbacks are evaluated either as a liability, adequate, or elite. The "adequate" label implies some measure of competence whereas the "liability" label implies that the quarterback is unable to play dropback football with any degree of competency.
Premiere Offensive Weapons are defined as high-performing skill players who add dimensionality on offense. The more ways a team can matriculate the ball downfield, the more names you will likely see listed here.
Elite Defensive Linemen are defined as truly dominant defensive linemen who can consistently control the line of scrimmage and consistently create havoc in the offensive backfield. Consistency of production is the main criteria used to evaluate pass rushers. Sacks, quarterback hits, tackles, batted passes, and turnovers are also considered here when assessing whether a given lineman can be considered elite.
Elite Coverage Defenders are defined as elite defensive backs or inside linebackers who excel at their particular role. Linebackers needs to show range in the flat, be able to cover flat receivers, and show up consistently in run support. Safeties need to show range and engineer turnover opportunities. Cornerbacks have to demonstrate an ability to shutdown most receivers that line up opposite them. It would also help if any of these coverage defenders have a knack for rushing the passer.
A successful comeback is defined as a game where a team mounted a scoring drive beginning in the fourth quarter to retake the lead and win the game OR a game where a team rallied back from a double-digit scoring deficit to eventually win the game.
Home field advantage is self-explanatory. In any postseason game between two teams from the same conference, the higher seed will always have home field advantage.

Washington Commanders
Passer Evaluation	Jayden Daniels (Adequate)
Premiere Offensive Weapons 1 point for the first player 2 points for the second player 4 points for each successive player	Jayden Daniels (Mobile QB) Terry McLaurin Olamide Zaccheaus Dyami Brown
Elite Defensive Linemen 4 points per player	Dorance Armstrong
Elite Coverage Defenders 2 points per player	Frankie Luvu Bobby Wagner
Number of Successful Comebacks 2 points if the team successfully staged exactly 2 comebacks 3 points if the team staged more than 2 comebacks	5
Number of Comebacks Surrendered 2 points if the team surrendered exactly 2 comebacks 3 points if the team surrendered fewer than 2 comebacks	1
Tactical Edges Lost Only impacts a team's grade when that team is facing against another club listed here. The more teams listed here, the worse a team's odds of advancing	OffenseDefense Eagles Eagles
Tactical Edges Gained Only impacts a team's grade when that team is facing against another club listed here. The more teams listed here, the better a team's odds of advancing	OffenseDefense Steelers Steelers
GRADE	11 - 25

I love that these Commanders have assumed the mantle this year of being that team that goes from being the worst in the division to a playoff contender. Kudos to Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury for leading this team to the postseason through spirit and guts alone, as the reality is this team doesn't have nearly enough developed talent to advance far into the postseason.

Offensively, their only true vector is Jalen Daniels and his scrambling ability. Defensively, it's impossible to find an elite player lining up for them in the trenches. Even though the defense is led by one of the best linebacking tandems in the league and their fighting spirit is not to be doubted, it's just not enough in the postseason especially for a low seed.

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