The Washington Commanders‘ 2022 regular-season schedule is here and it is glorious in comparison to last year’s gauntlet. Gone are the days of playing a superstar quarterback seemingly every other week.
Even better? The Commanders will play more games at FedEx Field than on the road, so that should instill confidence in club supporters. Long story short, Washington will be positioned to improve their win total from last season. But how many wins is reasonable? Let’s dive into a game-by-game prediction!
Commanders game-by-game prediction for 2022 schedule
Week 1: Jaguars at Commanders
Look, if Washington doesn’t win this game we’ll likely have a good idea whether the season is headed, or isn’t headed. Yes, the Jaguars improved in a number of key areas, the most important being head coach, but they’re still a heavily flawed team that’s won four games in the last two years.
Of course, the Commanders shouldn’t take Trevor Lawrence and Co. lightly. As the Colts (and Carson Wentz) learned in Week 18 last season that they’re more than capable of winning as underdogs if a team lets them hang around.
With that said, this matchup represents a golden opportunity to start 2022 with a winning record. Look for the offense and defense to flex their muscles before the Jags score a garbage-time touchdown to make the score look respectable, as Wentz gets his revenge on Jacksonville and Doug Pederson.
Commanders 28, Jaguars 20
Week 2: Commanders at Lions
This could be a sneaky upset if the Commanders aren’t careful. The Lions hit a home run in this year’s draft by snagging Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams in the first round to add to an incredibly talented young core. The arrow is definitely pointing up in Motor City, but not enough for us to pick the fighting Dan Campbell’s to catch Ron Rivera’s squad sleeping this early into the campaign.
Commanders 27, Lions 23
Week 3: Commanders vs Eagles
The Commanders dropped both of their games to the Eagles last season, and the performance at Lincoln Financial Field was downright embarrassing, as Philly compiled 238 rushing yards en route to a 27-17 win.
It didn’t help matters that Garrett Gilbert quarterbacked the offense with Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen on the COVID list, but the manner in which the defense was bullied up front was not what you would expect.
We like Washington to split their two-game set with the Eagles, with the win coming in the friendly confines of FedEx Field. We just can’t envision the front seven allowing themselves to get bullied up and down the field again. If you make Jalen Hurts beat you, good things will happen. Simple as that.
Commanders 21, Eagles 17
Week 4: Commanders at Cowboys
Do we really need to remind you of Washington’s tilts against Dallas last season? They were outclassed in both meetings and a Cole Holcomb late in the fourth quarter is the only reason the Week 14 matchup looked competitive.
We still believe the Cowboys are frauds, but they’ve cleaned up in the division with Dak Prescott under center and it’s tough to envision the Commanders stealing one in Week 4 assuming both sides are fully healthy. The gap between these teams isn’t as big as its been, but Dallas still has the edge.
Cowboys 27, Commanders 20
Week 5: Titans at Commanders
This could be a measuring stick game for the Commanders, as Tennessee finished with the AFC’s top seed last season. The Titans didn’t have a great offseason, as they lost top receivers AJ Brown, whom they traded to the Eagles (thanks for that!) and Julio Jones, who got released and is still a free agent.
With that said, they have an underrated defense and Derrick Henry will look to reclaim his rushing crown after he broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot and missed a chunk of the season rehabbing for the playoffs.
Assuming the Commanders are up for a fight in the trenches, we like them to defeat Tennessee at home. They’re properly equipped to contain Henry and we have zero idea how trade acquisition Robert Woods and first-round pick Treylon Burks will mesh taking over for Browns and Jones.
Commanders 21, Titans 18
Week 6: Commanders at Bears (TNF)
We’re high on Justin Fields’ future. We just hate everything about what the Bears have done, or haven’t done, to build around him this offseason. On top of losing his top receiver in Allen Robinson, Chicago hired a defensive head coach and drafted defensive players with their first two picks this year.
Look for the Commanders defensive line to impose their will in this matchup en route to a convincing victory at Soldier Field in primetime. Want a bold prediction? Chase Young will record 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Commanders 24, Bears 14
Week 7: Packers at Commanders
A rematch of last year’s Week 7 matchup that was extremely winnable from Washington’s perspective. After all, the then-Football Team had five scoreless possessions in Green Bay territory, including back-to-back trips inside the five-yard line that fizzled out.
It was a rare off day for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense. Will history repeat itself or will the two-time defending MVP make the proper adjustments? More importantly, will Carson Wentz do what Taylor Heinicke couldn’t and finish off commanding drives?
If we had to pick this game right now, we’d take Green Bay, if only for their advantage at quarterback. Even without Davante Adams, Rodgers is the best QB walking the planet, and one more receiver to join Christian Watson, Allen Lazard and Sammy Watkins could set this offense over the top.
Packers 24, Commanders 17
Week 8: Commanders at Colts
Colts general manager Chris Ballard is wildly overhyped, but he put together a masterful offseason by adding Yannick Ngakoue, Matt Ryan and Stephon Gilmore to an already playoff-caliber roster.
If Matt Ryan is the upgrade over Carson Wentz everyone seems to think he is and the defensive line generates more pressure, there’s no reason to think Indy won’t be in the Super Bowl conversation. Expect the Commanders to keep this close, but home-field advantage will be the deciding factor.
Colts 24, Commanders 20
Week 9: Vikings at Commanders
Kirk Cousins back in Washington. What more could you ask for? With Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, the Vikings should have one of the most high-powered offenses in 2022, so the Commanders’ offense will have to show it can hang in this game.
Minnesota isn’t raved about for its defense, but the additions of Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth via the draft will make the group more intimidating after it ranked 24th in points allowed per game last season.
Want another bold (and heartbreaking) prediction? Cousins leads the Vikings to a game-winning field goal in the final minute of regulation to break his former team’s heart and send them into a three-game losing streak.
Vikings 20, Commanders 17
Week 10: Commanders at Eagles (MNF)
There’s no way to predict how Carson Wentz will cope with his return to Philadelphia since his unceremonious departure following the 2020 season, but it definitely helps it comes later in the season than early. With that said, we’re hard-pressed to envision the Commanders sweeping their rivals after all the upgrades they made this offseason.
Eagles 27, Commanders 24
Week 11: Commanders at Texans
Talk about a highly winnable game for Washington. We’re absolutely head over heels for Houston’s 2022 draft class and the team has rallied around 2021 third-rounder Davis Mills after he exceeded expectations as a rookie.
But let’s not put lipstick on a pig, folks. While the future could be bright in Houston, the Texans are still a year or two away from being taken seriously. They could surprise some teams in 2022. Washington won’t be one of them.
Commanders 31, Texans 17.
Week 12: Commanders at Falcons
Again, no excuses. Regardless of whether the Falcons are starting Marcus Mariota or Desmond Ridder, they easily have one of the worst roster outlooks of any team in the league. Despite having needs at every position, they took a wideout, Drake London, with the No. 8 overall pick in the draft.
That speaks volumes about how little the front office thinks of Atlanta’s ability to compete next season. They’re committed to rebuilding. If the Commanders are the team everyone thinks they are (good enough to handle the dregs of the NFL), they should dispose of the Falcons at home without much, if any, resistance.
Commanders 31, Falcons 20
Week 13: Commanders at Giants
Look, if the Commanders want back in the postseason they need to take care of business against their weaker opponents. Giants fans are riding high after they drafted Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal with their two top 10picks, and rightly so, but two rookies aren’t going to flip the script with this team.
This does, however, make for a potential trap game, as Washington could have one eye on the Week 14 bye. Playing for 13 straight weeks will be grueling, but the team would feel much better about itself if it picked up a road win vs an inferior division rival. We expect them to do just that.
Commanders 26, Giants 17
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: Giants at Commanders
Two games in three weeks against a division rival? That sounds familiar after Washington closed last season with FIVE straight NFC East games, including four straight against the Cowboys and Eagles from Weeks 14 to 17.
Freshly rested off the bye, Washington should pick up where they left off in Week 13 and discard of the Giants at FedEx Field. They swept the season series last year and there’s nothing to suggest that shouldn’t happen again in 2022.
Commanders 24, Giants 21
Week 16: Commanders at 49ers (Christmas Eve)
It was a chaotic offseason in San Francisco, as Deebo Samuel seemed to have strong-armed a trade from the 49ers. Ultimately, though, trade talks didn’t progress and Samuel is now following the team on social media again, seemingly hinting that he’s open to revisiting extension talks.
Why so much Deebo talk? Well, he was the centerpiece of San Fran’s offense last season, racking up 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns en route to being named an All-Pro. If he’s still around, the Commanders could have trouble winning this cross-country Christmas Eve road trip.
They will, however, put up a fight worthy of respect from the national audience.
49ers 31, Commanders 27
Week 17: Browns at Commanders
This one’s tough to gauge, so we’ll make it pretty simple: If Deshaun Watson is available to play, we like the Browns, who had another fine offseason and draft, to win this matchup.
Should the embattled QB be suspended for the game stemming from his slew of sexual assault and harassment allegations, though, the Commanders’ path to victory would be crystal clear: contain Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt and force Jacoby Brissett (or Baker Mayfield?) to beat you through the air.
Unfortunately, the fact this matchup falls to weeks before the season’s conclusion, it’s unreasonable to think Watson will be suspended. That’s likely to come early on, if at all, but stranger things have happened.
Browns 23, Commanders 16
Week 18: Commanders vs Cowboys
The Commanders could end up getting lucky here. Tied with Washington for the easiest schedule this upcoming season, the Cowboys could have nothing to play for if they dominate their weaker opponents.
If that happens, Mike McCarthy could err on the side of caution and rest his big guns … thus giving Ron Rivera’s side a potential free-be. Worth noting, too, that regardless of who suits up for the Cowboys, they’ll be up for this game if it means playing spoiler against a division rival and Washington needs this game.
Commanders 27, Cowboys 21
Final record: 10-7
Again, this isn’t a complete assessment of the team. This is merely a knee-jerk prediction made following the schedule release. Remember: the draft is still weeks old and training camp is more than two months away.
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