A pair of stunning victories has the Washington Commanders in a position they haven’t reached since the 1991-92 season. They now find themselves in the NFC Championship game, just one win away from a Super Bowl LXIX appearance.

Their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Wildcard weekend raised eyebrows. But Saturday’s dominant victory over the No. 1 seeded Detroit Lions may have made the most significant statement this franchise has made in decades.

Washington’s remarkable season has them not only on the brink of a conference championship but also poised to challenge the status quo in a more fundamental way. …

A way that involves the Dallas Cowboys.

The Commanders have only won the NFC East once since 2015, capturing the division in 2020 with a subpar 7-9 record. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have competed for the crown in every other year since.

Heading into this season, it seemed like the same story would play out. Dan Quinn’s team, with a promising young quarterback in Daniels, was expected to be a contender in future seasons.

However, that process has accelerated dramatically. The Commanders now appear to be a team ready to contend for the division on a yearly basis.

What was once a two-team race may now become one between three, or perhaps even two, contenders Regardless, the Commanders’ surprising postseason run and upset victories have signaled a shift in the NFC East.

A victory next week against the rival Eagles in the NFC Championship would further solidify this point, and that game remains the focal point of the teams’ preparations.

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This doesn’t diminish Dallas to second-tier status. Jerry Jones’ team has the talent to recover from this 7-10 season.

Still, the Commanders appear to have the foundation of a consistent contender, a reality that fans can embrace regardless of what happens next Sunday.