The Washington Commanders now know the structure of their 2026 campaign after the NFL's schedule release. It'll be a daunting first few weeks for head coach Dan Quinn's squad, who have to start well to stand any chance of being in the mix later in the season.
And one New York Giants expert believes the league may have taken pity on the Commanders with their standalone clash under the primetime spotlight.
The Giants should improve next season under new head coach John Harbaugh. They've made some decent additions to the ranks, though the health of quarterback Jaxson Dart will go a long way to determining their outlook. With the NFC East expected to be more competitive, these division battles will be critical.
Giants expert makes an early excuse way before Commanders' primetime clash in Week 10
Matt Sidney of G-Men HQ believes the NFL threw Washington a bone by pitting them against the Giants on a short week, just after the Commanders face the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams in quick succession. But the expert doesn't think it'll be a rollover, even with a short turnaround for Harbaugh's squad.
"The NFL really tried to hide feeling bad for the Washington Commanders in Week 10. But they couldn't sneak it by me. After a Week 9 matchup in Philly, four days later, the Giants come back home for a Thursday Night matchup against another division rival.
"The league felt bad for the Commies for scheduling the Eagles and Rams in Weeks 8 and 9, respectively, and thought they'd get cute by throwing the G-Men (on four days' rest) at them, but it still might not be enough if things are cooking for John Harbaugh, Jaxson Dart, and Big Blue."
The schedule is what it is. Things get easier for the Commanders after a tough start, and the primetime clashes can present complications. Some feel aggrieved, while others see it as an opportunity to build momentum.
That's precisely what the Commanders have to do. They've made some notable acquisitions to the squad over free agency and the draft. Molding them into a cohesive unit will be a challenge over the summer, but the culture Quinn installed gives them a fighting chance.
If the Commanders and Giants both make the strides expected, their Thursday Night Football showdown in Week 10 could have big implications attached. However, MetLife Stadium has been a relatively happy hunting ground for Washington in recent years, so hopefully this trend continues with the entire NFL audience watching.
And if that happens, at least the Giants are getting their excuses in nice and early.
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