Predicting the Commanders next three games after blistering 5-1 stretch

The Washington Commanders dominated the Houston Texans on Sunday. If not for a garbage time rushing touchdown by Davis Mills, the Commanders would’ve won the game by 20 points. Even with the touchdown, the team won by double-digits and is now over .500 this deep into the season since it held a 6-5 record in 2018.

Even better? The Commanders end the weekend in sole position of the No. 7 seed in the NFC. With the addition of a third Wild Card team, Washington would travel to Minnesota for another crack at the Vikings in the first round of the playoffs.

We can certainly think of worse matchups for the Commanders than playing a team they thoroughly outplayed and should’ve beat in Week 10. And the Vikings were exposed as the potential frauds the general media seems to think they are in by losing 40-3 at home to the Cowboys in Week 11.

But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. While the playoffs are suddenly a real possibility for Washington, there’s still six games left on the schedule and the next three games could determine how good of a chance they have at making the tournament before the stretch run.

Let’s predict those fixtures, shall we?

Predicting the Commanders’ next 3 games after blistering stretch

3. Week 12 vs the Atlanta Falcons (5-6)

The Commanders will host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12 in a game that has massive implications in the NFC playoff picture. After beating the Bears at home on Sunday, the upstart Falcons improved to 5-6 on the season and are just 1.5 games out of the conference’s third and final Wild Card berth.

Seemingly headed for a rebuild before the season, Arthur Smith has Atlanta overachieving 11 games into the schedule. They’ve picked up quality wins over the 49ers, Seahawks and Browns, and three of their losses came by a combined eight points, so they’re almost always in close games.

That’s a testament to good coaching, though Washington beat this same team at Mercedes Benz Stadium last season.

Like Houston, the Falcons struggle defending the run, which fits right into the Commanders’ offensive identity, but Taylor Heinicke should have a strong game, too, as Atlanta’s allowed the most passing yards in the NFL through Week 11.

As for Marcus Mariota’s dual-threat ability, Washington devised a bulletproof game plan against Jalen Hurts and the Eagles. Like Philly, the Falcons have some weapons that scare you in Drake London and Kyle Pitts, but as long as Ron Rivera’s side neutralizes the running game they should pick up another win.

Commanders 27, Falcons 23.