With the release of all 32 NFL teams' schedules, teams like the Washington Commanders now know what lies ahead of them for the upcoming 2024 season.
All things will be new in Washington once the 2024 season begins. Well, most things will be new anyway, at least two of the more important things when it comes to rebuilding an NFL franchise: starting quarterback and head coach.
Former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will take charge of the Commanders, replacing Ron Rivera. He becomes the first head coach hired under the new ownership group spearheaded by Josh Harris.
Harris handed Quinn and his new staff a wealth of opportunities to start his tenure with the Commanders. Washington started off their offseason with the most cap space of any team in the league, with a little over $80 million. They were also awarded the No. 2 overall pick after finishing last season with the second-worst record in the league at 4-13.
With their No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Commanders chose what they hope will be their future franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels out of LSU.
To begin the new era in Commanders history, the team will start their season like most on September 8. However, they'll be on the road to face one of last year's playoff teams in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Commanders face tough beginning in 2024 NFL season
The Commanders fall close to the middle in their strength of schedule, at 13th, according to Sharp Football Analysis. But remember, this is a team that will most likely be beginning their season with a rookie quarterback, which presents plenty of challenges for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who will be implementing a new offense. The schedule, therefore, has a whole other level of difficulty.
To begin with, the Commanders will have to start their season with four out of their first six games on the road. Two of those will be back-to-back on the road in Weeks 3 and 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football—their one of two prime-time games for the year—and then against the Arizona Cardinals.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is likely to throw a lot at Daniels in Week 1. But at least Daniels gets perhaps an easier matchup in their Week 2 home opener against the New York Giants.
The Cardinals are a bit of a question mark, but they've built their team well over the last couple of seasons, plus Kyler Murray will be back. However, it's after their trip to Arizona where things get their toughest.
The Commanders take on AFC North in 2024
The Commanders were awarded the distinct pleasure of playing what should still be the toughest division in the NFL, the AFC North, in 2024. From Weeks 3 through 6 they'll face three of those teams. However, the back-to-back games in Weeks 5 and 6 will especially be daunting for a team like Washington.
Week 5 will at least be at home, but it will be against what was the league's best total defense last year in the Cleveland Browns. Deshaun Watson should also be back at starting quarterback. The next week, Washington will have to travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens, who were not only ranked sixth in total defense last year but also in offense. At least the Commanders won't face the Pittsburgh Steelers until Week 10.
There's bound to be plenty of hiccups as this new Commanders team attempts to bring in everything from new coaches, players, systems, and overall philosophy. Their schedule will test them early and often within just the first two months of the season.
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