Bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers as they go in search of their fifth win of the campaign against the New York Giants in Week 11.
Get-right games are often the trickiest to overcome. That's exactly what the Washington Commanders are facing this weekend when they come up against the New York Giants in Week 11.
While the Commanders aren't exactly pushing up trees this season, things are worse in the Big Apple. Brian Daboll's going through some significant complications without star quarterback Daniel Jones in his second season as head coach, with the Giants depicted as the heavy underdogs among sportsbooks to get their campaign on track at FedEx Field.
Fans have seen countless times - even this season - how the Commanders fare with the odds stacked in their favor. They need to show a level of professionalism and not play down to the opposition, which should be enough to gain success heading into two daunting contests before the bye week.
Here are three bold Commanders' predictions for Week 11.
Commanders defense gains four sacks
It's been a period of adjustment for the Washington Commanders defensive front over the last fortnight. The team opted to trade the defensive end tandem of Chase Young and Montez Sweat before the deadline, which has had obvious implications for generating the necessary pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
This weekend is a good chance to shift the narrative. The New York Giants offensive line is going through complications due to injury and poor performance, so the Commanders must take advantage of this uncertainty in pursuit of making life extremely difficult for inexperienced quarterback Tommy DeVito.
Achieving four sacks might not seem like much. But it would be a huge step forward as the Commanders move on without Young and Sweat.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin gains 150 receiving yards
Eric Bieniemy likes to share the wealth as part of his expansive offensive scheme. This involves getting countless skill position players involved in the passing game to make things difficult for opposing defenses, who don't know where the football is going next.
This has been largely positive, but it does mean Terry McLaurin's numbers are suffering as a result. Although he's still the Washington Commanders' primary target by a considerable margin, the former third-round pick's 60.1 receiving yards per game is the lowest of his professional career.
McLaurin takes away a lot of attention as one of the league's most skilled pass-catchers. Sam Howell still trusts him, it's just the newfound diversity of players getting targets that's been the biggest stumbling block.
There will come a time when McLaurin puts together a monster game more in keeping with what the Pro Bowler has demonstrated throughout his stint in Washington. That might arrive this weekend against a New York Giants defense giving up 237.3 yards through the air on average.
With Curtis Samuel dealing with injury and Jahan Dotson struggling to put a consistent run of games together, this could be McLaurin's moment to shine if he becomes the genuine focal point once again. Gaining 150 receiving yards or anything close to that would be just what the doctor prescribed in a must-win game for the Commanders.
Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes gets a pick-six
Emmanuel Forbes was on the unfortunate end of an early ejection at the Seattle Seahawks. While the late hit on wide receiver Tyler Lockett was more than deserving of a flag, removing the rookie cornerback from the contest did seem a little harsh all things considered.
Forbes cut a frustrated figure after the game, which is understandable. However, it should make the first-round selection extra motivated to put together a good performance against the New York Giants in Week 11.
Tommy DeVito will once again be under center. One thing Forbes became renowned for in college at Mississippi State was baiting quarterbacks into mistakes - exactly the sort of thing he'll be looking to accomplish versus the undrafted free agent out of Illinois.
The Washington Commanders made Forbes their top priority at No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft for his ball-hawking capabilities. It's been a baptism of fire up to now, but gaining a turnover and taking it to the house with the home crowd watching on would do wonders for the player's overall confidence.
Some have been far too harsh on Forbes. He'll be the first to admit that things haven't quite gone according to plan, but first-year cornerbacks tend to go through more growing pains than most unless they are considered truly elite - Sauce Gardner and Devon Witherspoon, for example.
A pick-six for Forbes this weekend would start building up that rapport with fans. The first step to what will hopefully become a profitable career with the Commanders.