The Washington Commanders have completely overhauled their entire organization in one offseason. The Commanders brought in a new ownership group earlier this year. Those new owners have made an impact right away, hiring general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn. Washington's new brain trust has significantly overhauled the team's coaching staff and roster via free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft. The Commanders are looking brand new.
The NFL released the entire regular season schedule for 2024 earlier this week. Now that we know Washington's entire schedule, it seems like a good time to make game-by-game predictions for the Commanders' 2024 season.
Week 1 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers pose a significant challenge for rookie Jayden Daniels. Todd Bowles likes to blitz more than almost anyone else in the NFL, so Daniels could be under a lot of pressure right away. This one could get ugly if Washington doesn't cook up a good plan to keep Daniels clean in his first career start. LOSS
Record: 0-1
Week 2 vs. New York Giants
New York feels like a team that is stuck in the mud. Adding Malik Nabers in the draft was a good decision, but it isn't enough to turn the Giants offense into something dangerous. Barring a disaster, Jayden Daniels gets his first win in the NFL in Washington's home opener. WIN
Record: 1-1
Week 3 at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are a contender with Joe Burrow under center. While Cincinnati may not sport the most talented defense in the league, DC Lou Anarumo gets the most out of them. The Commanders will need a heroic effort to overcome a Bengals squad with big aspirations in 2024. LOSS
Record: 1-2
Week 4 at Arizona Cardinals
Arizona should be a good litmus test for Washington. The Cardinals are further along in their rebuild than the Commanders and have a legit franchise QB in Kyler Murray. This could be Washington's closest game of the season. We'll give them the win in a coin-toss game. WIN
Record: 2-2
Week 5 vs. Cleveland Browns
The Browns were a hard out every single week in 2023, regardless of who they suited up at QB. Cleveland's roster is loaded with talent and it would be a shocker if Washington could pull off the upset. LOSS
Record: 2-3
Week 6 at Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore will be a heavy favorite in this matchup. It will be interesting to see how Jayden Daniels performs compared to Lamar Jackson. It may be hard to tell in part because the Ravens' defense is an absolute nightmare. The Commanders are on blow out watch in this one. LOSS
Record: 2-4
Week 7 vs. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers look a lot different than they did in 2023. Bryce Young has one season of NFL experience under his belt and a new cast of weapons on offense. The Commanders have the overall talent advantage and that should be enough to secure the win at home. WIN
Record: 3-4
Week 8 vs. Chicago Bears
Chicago is another team that made some serious additions in the offseason. The Bears offense is an unknown at this point, but it's easy to get excited about Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, and Keenan Allen being added to the mix. Chicago's defense was impressive in 2023 and could ultimately be the difference in this one. LOSS
Record: 3-5
Week 9 at New York Giants
The Giants are financially incentivized to bench Daniel Jones if their season goes off the rails. His contract is easy to get out of next offseason – except for his injury guarantee. Washington should be able to secure a victory regardless of who is the QB in New York. Commanders sweep the Giants. WIN
Record: 4-5
Week 10 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are such a consistently good team that it is hard to overlook them. Washington's defense is solid and will force the Steelers to be aggressive on offense. If the Commanders can get some points off of turnovers, they could come out on top. WIN
Record: 5-5
Week 11 at Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles will be out for revenge on the NFL after collapsing late in the 2023 season. Washington played Philadelphia hard in 2023, and they may offer a repeat in 2024, but a win feels unlikely. LOSS
Record: 6-5
Week 12 vs. Dallas Cowboys
For this exercise, we are going to assume that the Cowboys don't implode in the first half of the season. The Cowboys know the Commanders well and have superstar who are tough to handle. It's hard to see Dallas losing this game. LOSS
Record: 6-6
Week 13 vs. Tennessee Titans
The Titans suddenly have a frisky offense. If Will Levis makes progress from last year, the Titans could be ready to make some noise in the AFC South. Give Tennessee the edge here. LOSS
Record: 6-7
Week 14 – BYE
Week 15 – at New Orleans Saints
The Saints are such a hard team to predict in their current era. Derek Carr is fine at QB and the Saints do have a handful of talented players on both sides of the ball. This feels like a game where New Orleans is impossible to put away at home. Possibly because they are fighting ferociously for their playoff lives. LOSS
Record: 6-8
Week 16 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Commanders are sliding in the second half of the season. Barring disaster, the Eagles will be in the thick of the playoff race. The Eagles sweep the Commanders. LOSS
Record: 6-9
Week 17 vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are positioned to take over the NFC South in 2024. Say what you will about the Kirk Cousins/Michael Penix Jr. situation at QB, but the Falcons have a truly dangerous offense with depth pretty much everywhere. The Commanders don't feel like they have enough firepower to win this one. LOSS
Record: 6-10
Week 18 at Dallas Cowboys
The Commanders may have the opportunity to play spoiler and hurt the Cowboys' playoff seeding in this game. Washington won't give up on the season under head coach Dan Quinn, but their roster may not be talented enough to hang with some of the NFC's top teams. Facing a division opponent doesn't help. The Cowboys sweep the Commanders and send them home for the year. LOSS
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