4 major observations from the Commanders schedule release in 2023
By Dean Jones
Commanders road stretches will define their 2023 season
If Ron Rivera was hoping for a lenient schedule in terms of home/away splits, the NFL wasn't kind in that regard. The Washington Commanders have back-to-back contests at FedEx Field just once and stretches where they are on the road for multiple weeks.
The Commanders have two straight contests on their travels three times throughout the season. Again, this isn't ideal, but something the team must navigate successfully to stand any chance of making noise within a highly competitive NFC East.
There is enough experience in the locker room to cope effectively with how things have fallen. Washington also has Eric Bieniemy to call upon, who's been around a winning franchise in the Kansas City Chiefs and could prove invaluable during some probable tough times in 2023.
This is all part of the business. And at the end of the day, Washington just has to roll up their sleeves and get on with the task at hand.
Still, the NFL's schedule-makers haven't done them any favors. How the Commanders come out of these road stretches will likely be the difference between success and failure.
Time to put up or shut up, I guess.