5 intriguing Commanders storylines during the 2024 schedule

Jayden Daniels vs. Caleb Williams

The Washington Commanders officially host the Chicago Bears in Week 8 of the 2024 season. There are multiple storylines attached, but one takes center stage above all else.

That is, of course, the battle between Caleb Williams - the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft - and Jayden Daniels, who went to the Commanders one spot later at No. 2.

Any game where two highly drafted rookie quarterbacks battle is exciting, but this one means more. This will be a game in which Daniels can make a statement and defeat the signal-caller who grew up as a Washington football fan.

Does anyone miss Montez Sweat? Those who do will get a Commanders' reunion with the defensive end in this game, but he will unfortunately be in a Bears uniform. This will mark his first return to D.C. since being traded to Chicago at the 2023 deadline.

Revenge is another storyline for this game. In 2023, the Commanders were embarrassed by the Bears on Thursday Night Football during a 43-20 hammering. This blowout snapped the Bears' 14-game losing streak. Therefore, the need to avenge this loss and give Daniels bragging rights over Williams should be motivation enough.

Commanders primetime test at the Eagles

It seems just about every other year the Commanders travel to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football. Despite the team's struggles, they've fought hard in this fixture over recent years. Last year two extremely close, high-scoring contests were decided by just three and seven points.

This game gives me flashbacks, good ones, to the upset the Commanders pulled off against the undefeated Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field with the national spotlight glaring in 2022. It will probably have a similar feel this year, with the Eagles among the top dogs in the NFC and Washington being big underdogs.

Can the Commanders pull off the primetime upset in Philadelphia again this season? Time will tell.