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Ryan McCafferty

Ryan McCafferty is a passionate sports fan from Herndon, Va, where he follows the Washington Commanders, Wizards.  Ryan particularly enjoys covering the statistical aspect of sports, and in his spare time, he manages RJMAnalytics, a blog in which he formulates and analyzes his own advanced metrics for NASCAR and basketball. He is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington, where he majored in communications and minored in sports management, and reports on local high school sports in Northern Virginia for the Falls Church News-Press

Re-signing Daron Payne should be Commanders' top free-agent priority

Of all the impending Washington Commanders free agents, defensive tackle Daron Payne is the most important. Re-signing Payne, who was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2022, should be a no-brainer.

Jeff Bezos is exactly what the Commanders don't need

The Commanders' ongoing ownership saga saw a major development Monday, and it's not one that Washington fans should be excited about.

Why 2023 Daytona 500 could be most competitive field in a long time

Forty-one drivers are confirmed to be competing for the 40-car field, with more to come. That could make this one of the more exciting lead-ups to the big race.

Wizards' Kyle Kuzma has a surprisingly strong All-Star case

With an 18-26 record and star Bradley Beal sidelined with injuries, the Wizards are unlikely to have a player chosen for the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 19. But could forward Kyle Kuzma be a dark horse?

Where Kevin Harvick stands among NASCAR greats

As he prepares for his 23rd and final season in NASCAR's Cup Series, it's fair to wonder where Kevin Harvick stands among the sport's all-time greats.

Once-powerful Georgetown basketball falling into bottomless pit

For Georgetown basketball, last season's 6-25 record was supposed to be rock bottom, but head coach Patrick Ewing and Co. are digging an even deeper hole in 2023.

Why keeping Ron Rivera is the right call for Commanders

With the passing of "Black Monday," the day after the regular season when NFL owners typically fire coaches, all indications are the Commanders will retain Rivera.

Commanders should be encouraged by Sam Howell's debut

Howell finished the game with 169 passing yards, 35 rushing yards, and two total TDs. He did throw a costly interception in the end zone early in the game but didn't let it haunt him and continued to show poise throughout the afternoon.

Five predictions for the 2023 NASCAR season

2022 was a wild ride for NASCAR fans. Will 2023 bring more of the same? Here's what to expect this NASCAR season on the heels of a parody-filled 2022.

Commanders should give rookie Sam Howell a shot at QB

Washington Commanders HC Ron Rivera has not decided on a starting QB for a Week 18 home game against playoff-bound Dallas.

Who is to blame for Commanders late-season collapse?

One month ago, the Washington Commanders were one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Then, it all feel apart. Who is to blame for the collapse?

Here's how the Commanders must solve QB situation

The Washington Commanders have the talent and structure to be a consistent NFC playoff contender. But they lack the most important piece of the puzzle: a franchise quarterback.

Commanders still paying price for decision on Kirk Cousins

As Cousins pilots the Vikings to the postseason, the Commanders are still riding the quarterback carousel and dealing with the mediocrity that usually accompanies that ride. 

Grab your hanky: Ron Rivera tells Commanders special-teamer he made Pro Bowl

On Wednesday, Rivera broke the news to a surprised Reaves that he had made the Pro Bowl — one of four Washington players to be honored.

A new playoff roadblock emerges for the Commanders

The Washington Commanders (7-6-1) still control their own destiny in the NFC playoff race, holding the final wild card. While their primary competition, the Seattle Seahawks (7-7), are reeling with four losses in their past five games, a new foe has entered the mix.

Game officials cost Commanders, who stumbled in the clutch

On the final drive of the game, with Washington trailing by eight, two questionable calls in crucial situations went against the Commanders.

Assessing the Commanders' 2023 NFL Draft needs

It remains to be seen exactly where Washington will draft, but the Commanders should look to fill holes under center, on the offensive line and in the defensive backfield.

Alex Ovechkin cements case for G.O.A.T of Washington pro sports

In dramatic fashion Tuesday, Ovechkin scored a hat trick, joining Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe as the only players in NHL history to reach the 800-goal milestone.

Several Commanders have good cases for Pro Bowl

Pro Bowl voting is in full swing, and the Commanders have several players who deserve consideration, especially on the defensive line.

Commanders back in playoff picture with Giants loss

Both the Giants and Commanders have a 7-5-1 record on the year, with their tie coming against each other last weekend. Washington currently owns the tiebreaker between the two as they have the better record within the division (1-2-1).

Commanders' cautious approach with DE Chase Young makes sense

With only one loss in their past eight games, the Commanders (7-5-1) are rolling, but they face uncertainty with defensive end Chase Young. Young, the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year, suffered a torn ACL last November.

Penalty-plagued Commanders stray from winning formula

In their recent stretch of six wins in seven games heading into this past weekend, the Commanders' recipe for success was to lean on the running game, make plays on defense and dominate time of possession. An underrated component was avoiding penalties. 

The Commanders and Giants played not to lose, so that's what they got

The Giants possessed the ball at the end of regulation with enough time left to try to get to field goal range but decided to kneel and play for overtime. Then in overtime, the Commanders had a 4th and 9 from the Giants' 43-yard line, which would've meant about a 60-yard field goal attempt for Joey Slye.

Brian Robinson has energized Commanders' running game

Commanders rookie RB Brian Robinson began his NFL career healing from gunshot wounds. Three months later, he's leading the NFL's 10th-best rushing attack.

Assessing the Commanders' chances of making postseason

Per FiveThirtyEight.com's playoff predictor tool, Washington (7-5) has a 66% chance to make the playoffs.