“I’ll be very candid. I think the Eagles are better at every position…That is a very honest assessment.” Jason Kelce didn’t hold back before the Eagles vs. Commanders NFC title showdown. Philly confidence at its peak, right? I mean, obviously… Anyone from Chiefdom would back the Chiefs, and the Bills Mafia would back the Bills. And the ones from Washington? For starters, they are already in dreamland.

I’ll put forth an unpopular opinion: there’s no pressure on the Commanders. They have already exceeded preseason expectations by a country mile. So, win or lose, they have got the dub in the 2024 season.

But their legendary CB Fred Smoot believes the Cinderella Commanders are just getting started. As for Kelce’s ‘very honest assessment,’ Smoot’s not letting that off the hook. Well, he did not directly reply to Jason Kelce, but on Pardon My Take when an Eagles fan made a similar assessment, it got Smoot fired up. “We’ve already beaten y’all. We let you off the hook when we was in Philadelphia,” Fred started with straight facts. Back in week 16, Commanders won 36-33 against the Eagles.

The highlight of that game? Jayden Daniels throwing for 5 TDs. FIVE! YES! So much for position-for-position better players. Jason said, “Eagles are stacked!” Not arguing; they are. But what’s in the names when the rookie’s taking away the games? Smoot added: “Let’s be honest, when we played in Detroit [divisional round], we can go position for position, comparing our offenses, and they got better players than us at every position besides one. That’s quarterback. Like my quarterback is better than yours. That’s what I told them against Jared Goff. Well, guess what? I’m gonna say the same thing against the Eagles.”

Well, for Smoot’s sake. Let’s break it down with a head-to-head comparison between Hurts and JD.

On paper, Daniels holds the edge in passing yards, touchdowns, and total fantasy points. Hurts counters with better red-zone efficiency, reflected in his 14 rushing touchdowns. But here’s the kicker: Daniels played two more games, proving his durability and consistency over the season.

And that’s not it when it comes to Daniels. The rookie made sure to make his weapons like he wanted to. What about the supporting cast? Terry McLaurin had his second-best career season in terms of REC/G (4.8). Why? Daniels made him better. That’s the kind of ripple effect you get from a QB firing on all cylinders.

As Smoot cheekily summed up: “The truth hurts more than a lie.” Eagles fans might not like it, but the truth is, Jayden Daniels has made this Commanders team a force to be reckoned with. And that is the fact that even Jason Kelce couldn’t help but agree.

Jason Kelce agrees Dan Quinn has transformed the Commanders into a unit

“Washington, to their credit, they play extremely well as a team. Dan Quinn is a fantastic coach,” said Jason Kelce, giving a nod to his NFC title rivals. And honestly, Kelce’s not just tossing out compliments like it’s a postgame press conference. The Eagles’ vet knows what’s up—Quinn’s Commanders aren’t a one-man show, after all. But they are scary because they are a UNIT!

But you’ve got to wonder: HOW? I mean, just think about it: new head coach, rookie QB, new OC, and a whole new system. So, that’s usually a recipe for a messy rebuild, right? Mostly, but not this time. Quinn has flipped the script. Now, the Commanders are one game away from the Super Bowl. Let that sink in.

Meanwhile, Anthony Lynn, their run game coordinator, put it best: “This stuff doesn’t happen by accident.” Quinn’s leadership isn’t just X’s and O’s. But it’s also about building trust, culture, and confidence. “He articulates the vision of brotherhood,” Lynn added. Sounds cheesy? Not when you see the results on the field.

A year ago, Washington was 4-13. A joke, as one opposing coach bluntly put it. Now, they’re in the NFC Championship, knocking off Philly in week 16 along the way. So, what has changed? Quinn. He’s not just a coach; he’s a culture architect. Players believe in him because he believes in them.

Take Brian Robinson Jr., for example. The dude was in a slump, and Quinn sat him down for a quick film session. The message? “This is who you are.” Robinson came out swinging the next game, rushing for 77 yards and two touchdowns. That’s what great coaches do—they remind you of your best self.

Quinn isn’t just proving doubters wrong; he’s setting a standard. “Anybody, any place, any time,” Lynn said. So, next up, it’s the Eagles in the title showdown at the Lincoln Field Park on Sunday. The Commanders have bought in, and honestly, how could you not?