Commanders Schedule 2023: Game-by-game predictions for upcoming season
By Dean Jones
Commanders vs. Eagles - Week 8
It's been a case of retooling this offseason for the Philadelphia Eagles. Their salary-cap constraints indicated they'd lose a few stars, but the team did a remarkable job in terms of recruitment that sees them as a legitimate Super Bowl challenger once again.
This would be a major statement triumph for the Commanders. One that wouldn't go unnoticed by Josh Harris and his ownership group provided they can acquire league approval regarding the tentative sale agreement with Dan Snyder.
Prediction: Loss (3-5)
It's hard to predict anything but a loss, even if the Commanders are at home. The Eagles are too strong and athletic, with quarterback Jalen Hurts also giving them a true franchise player at the position following an exceptional leap forward in 2022.
Commanders at Patriots - Week 9
The build-up to this one will center around two young cornerbacks taken back-to-back in the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite Christian Gonzalez falling to the Commanders at No. 16 overall, they stuck to their guns and took Emmanuel Forbes - leaving Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots free to take one of the top prospects on their board.
Bill O'Brien's introduction as the offensive coordinator should help a woeful unit last season make improvements. But the Commanders have an ace up their sleeve in the form of Eric Bieniemy, who gets the chance to prove beyond all doubt he can become a future head coach down the line.
Prediction: Win (4-5)
There's every chance Belichick devises a game plan that can restrict Washington's offense. But we'll take the Commanders' defensive front to cause Mac Jones endless nightmares ahead of a critical campaign for the former first-round selection.