The DC Sports Huddle by WTOP

Welcome to the Big Dance! Don't do your NCAA Tournament brackets without the insight of our resident AP Top 25 voter Dave Preston, as he shares all we need to know about March Madness inside and outside the Beltway! Plus, the WTOP Sports team shares their Final Four picks and eventual champion in both the men's and women's brackets.  Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: The Washington Comma...

The Washington Commanders opened the so-called "legal tampering" period of NFL free agency with a quantity of free agents — but what about the quality? The WTOP Sports team breaks down the reported additions one-by-one, assesses the most impactful signings and offers who Washington should target next.  Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: Our resident AP Top 25 voter Dave Preston gets you r...

As we're sure you've heard by now, the Washington Commanders have the most available cap space in the NFL entering free agency. Who will get big bucks to wear Burgundy and Gold? And, should Washington spend big free agent dollars to improve their roster? The WTOP Sports team discusses the reality of the new ownership's approach, which Commanders free agents should be kept and who should be added f...

Thanks in part to  Peter King's swan song bomb-drop , the debate over whether the Washington Commanders should trade up to the No. 1 overall pick and select local product Caleb Williams has reignited. The WTOP Sports team debates whether Washington should make the move, which quarterback is the best alternate at No. 2 and what to make of the remarks by the Burgundy and Gold braintrust from the NFL...

The Washington Commanders introduced Dan Quinn as the 31st head coach in franchise history and the veteran leader made quite the impression on the WTOP Sports team. Listen to the highlights from Quinn's introductory press conference and hear the one takeaway that gives Rob hope of a Belichick-ian second act for DQ in D.C. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: The Commanders' addition of offe...

The Washington Commanders are reportedly hiring Dan Quinn to fill the NFL's last head coaching vacancy of the 2024 offseason. With interviewees Raheem Morris (Atlanta) and Mike Macdonald (Seattle) elsewhere — and Bobby Slowik and perceived frontrunner Ben Johnson staying where they are — did the Burgundy and Gold settle? Or was Quinn really a top candidate? The WTOP Sports team explains why Quinn...

The Washington Commanders fired Ron Rivera after a four-year tenure in which he had no winning seasons. The WTOP Sports team ranks the best and worst of the Rivera era and offers what's next for the Burgundy and Gold, including dream scenarios for a new general manager and head coach. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George Wallace, Senior Content Producer Rob Woodfork, and fellow sports anchor...

From the change in Commanders ownership to the potential move for the Wizards and Capitals (and everything in between), the WTOP Sports team recalls the top sports stories of the year, including DC sports’ Comeback Athlete of the Year, Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, Moment of the Year, Person/People of the Year and what most to look forward to in 2024. Huddle up with WTOP Sports Director George...

After the Washington Commanders' latest loss in L.A., the Burgundy and Gold make one more road trip to face the New York Jets in a meeting of teams eliminated from playoff contention (again). The WTOP Sports team discusses how this could be a repeat of one of the franchise's all-time worst defeats.  Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: Would Ron Rivera the coach been better off without Ron...

As the Washington Commanders emerge from their bye week with little left to play for, the WTOP Sports team poses the question: Could Mike Tomlin be the next head coach of the Burgundy and Gold? We break down the cost and what the Commanders would need to do to lure the Super Bowl-winning coach and Virginia native to Washington.  Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: Can the Commanders pull off an up...

Ron Rivera needed a strong season to remain head coach in Washington but the Commanders are reeling from two blowout losses to division opponents in the same calendar week and have fallen into the NFC East basement at 4-8. Is there a benefit to moving on from the Rivera era entering Washington's Week 14 bye? The WTOP Sports team weighs the pros and cons of an in-season change. Also inside the D.C....

Are you frustrated with the Washington Commanders' 4-6 start to the season? Sick and tired of what Rob Woodfork calls "the treadmill of mediocrity?" Well, the WTOP Sports team discusses what Burgundy and Gold fans should watch for the remainder of this season, which pieces provide hope for 2024 and beyond, in addition to predictions for the game against the reeling New York Giants.  Also inside th...

At the season's midway point, the Washington Commanders are 4-5 entering Sunday's crucial game in Seattle. The WTOP Sports team breaks down the must-win matchup with the Seahawks, whether the Sam Howell hype is warranted and offer the Burgundy and Gold's biggest surprises and disappointments at halftime of the 2023 campaign, including a first-half MVP. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: A...

The Washington Commanders were at the center of the NFL trade deadline, dealing away former first-round edge rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat to jump start an obvious rebuild coming in 2024. The WTOP Sports team breaks down both the long-term prospects for the new-look franchise and how the Commanders will fare in what's historically been a miserable trip to New England. Also inside the D.C. S...

The Washington Commanders continue to watch their quarterback take sacks at a record rate . Is there a move to be made at the Oct. 31 trade deadline to fix this turnstile offensive line? Rob offers a couple of names to watch and the WTOP Sports team debates whether Washington should deal Chase Young and/or Montez Sweat. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: The Wizards open their season in Indiana W...

The Washington Commanders have allowed the most sacks in the NFL. The New York Giants pass rush has generated a league-worst five sacks in six games. Something's got to give Sunday at the Meadowlands and the WTOP Sports team delves into which team's weakness continues. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle podcast: Rob Woodfork pointed out last year that the Washington Commanders under Ron Rivera hav...

The Washington Commanders took a beating from the Bears and the defense is regressing. The WTOP Sports team breaks down what it means for coach Ron Rivera's chances to remain in Washington and the Burgundy and Gold's crucial game in Atlanta.  Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: What do we make of the Washington Capitals going into the 2023-24 NHL season? Capitals Radio Network host and WTOP's own...

The Washington Commanders were beaten soundly by Buffalo, largely because of Sam Howell's historically inept outing . Was this just a bad matchup for the Burgundy and Gold or a warning sign that Howell isn't ready to be an NFL starter? The WTOP Sports team debates what comes of Howell if there's another Sunday slump in Philadelphia. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: The guys riff on the lucrativ...

The Washington Commanders won a rollercoaster game in Denver after eeking out a victory over the Cardinals but can the Burgundy and Gold get the better of the Buffalo Bills? The WTOP Sports team breaks down the matchup and lays the blueprint for Washington to start 3-0 for the first time since 2005.  Speaking of a 3-0 start ... also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: What would it mean for Washington...

The Washington Commanders' mistake-laden victory over the Cardinals kept the team undefeated in the Josh Harris era but it raised plenty of questions entering their first road contest in Denver. Was Week 1 a Burgundy and Gold warning sign or just opening day jitters? The WTOP Sports team debates. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: Is the Broncos' Alumni Weekend an insult to the Commanders? Our gu...

As the Washington Commanders approach opening day at FedEx Field, the WTOP Sports team breaks down the matchup with the Arizona Cardinals and get on record for what the Burgundy and Gold will do in 2023. Is there a case for an NFC East title? One member of our team thinks there is -- and a lofty prediction you don't want to miss! Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: Rob delves more into his NFL pre...

Washington-based author Mike Richman joins the WTOP Sports team to discuss his book, George Allen: A Football Life , sharing tales of the Hall of Fame coach's fascinating journey from Chicago to Los Angeles to Washington. Richman delves into how Allen fought his mentor to become head coach of the Rams, how he led the Burgundy and Gold to its first Super Bowl trip in 1972 and how much his tenure se...

As the Washington Commanders open their 2023 preseason, we break down the top storylines and competitions entering the exhibition slate and award "The Babe Laufenberg Trophy" to the player we think will be the star of the preseason. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: We discuss the status of college football amid the monumental changes to the sport and Rob opens up about his health scare that kep...

From Cal Ripken's Iron Man Streak to Tom Brady's ... well, everything — which records in pro sports can be safely deemed unbreakable? The WTOP Sports team mulls over which astronomical numbers are simply untouchable. Also inside the D.C. Sports Huddle: Reports of a rift between New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and longtime coach Bill Belichick raised the question — could the stars align for...

As we near the completion of the Washington Commanders' long-anticipated change in ownership, the WTOP Sports team assembles to ... well, assemble the perfect state-of-the-art stadium for the Burgundy and Gold. What amenities should the new digs have? Will it be in D.C. near the old RFK site? One of us has some inside information on a potential feature that will call to mind one of the best parts...