It's an exciting new dawn for the Washington Commanders. We now know the structure of their 2024 regular season after the NFL formally revealed their schedule for the upcoming campaign, which was a source of great excitement once again as fans renew optimism for what will hopefully be better days ahead.
Adam Peters' roster overhaul coupled with the re-energized coaching staff led by Dan Quinn leave reasons for hope. The Commanders might not immediately become a playoff challenger, but they are guaranteed to be more competitive after things became increasingly stagnant under Ron Rivera before he was shown the door.
Looking at their opponents during the upcoming campaign, the Commanders' fortunes could go either way. Getting off to a fast start will be crucial - something that can hopefully provide enough momentum to steer them through tougher challenges as the grueling season goes on. Anything less could bring unnecessary complications following one of the most profitable offseasons in decades.
With this in mind, we took a look and gave early game-by-game predictions for the Commanders' 2024 season.
Commanders at Buccaneers - Week 1
First up for the Washington Commanders is a trip down south to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Todd Bowles' men reached the postseason last time out, but their veteran stars aren't getting any younger and there hasn't been much player movement to strengthen the ranks throughout the offseason.
Instead of targeting high-priced reinforcements, the Buccaneers opted to tie down those who've already proven their worth. These include quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was rewarded handsomely for galvanizing his career under offense coordinator Dave Canales. But he is no longer around after winning the Carolina Panthers head coaching race.
Prediction: Win (1-0)
This is a tentative selection with so many unknowns surrounding the Commanders. Much will depend on whether Washington's secondary can counteract the supreme threat posed by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but this looks like a good chance for Dan Quinn to hit the ground running if everything goes well throughout the preparation period.
Commanders vs. NY Giants - Week 2
The newly-named Commanders Field is sure to be rocking for the first home game under the new regime. It's also a mouth-watering divisional clash against the New York Giants, which always adds an extra sense of intrigue and spark.
Despite examining other options, the Giants opted to keep faith with quarterback Daniels Jones. This represents a gamble that could cost some their jobs if it doesn't pan out, but it's also worth remembering that the former first-round pick out of Duke has performed well against the Commanders more often than not.
Prediction: Win (2-0)
Dan Quinn should have a better handle on how to cope with Jones' dual-threat capabilities. If the Commanders' offensive line keeps New York's defensive front - which acquired explosive pass-rusher Brian Burns this offseason - out of Jayden Daniels' pocket consistently, they have an opportunity to get their home slate off to the best possible start.
Commanders at Bengals - Week 3 (MNF)
Starting the season at 2-0 would be a tremendous confidence enhancement for the Washington Commanders. But all good things must come to an end at some point.
The Cincinnati Bengals will once again fancy their chances of going deep into the postseason with quarterback Joe Burrow back healthy. Things spiraled downward after one of the best around had his campaign cruelly cut short in 2023. Now, he's on track to be 100 percent for the 2024 campaign and should have a big chip on his shoulder as he looks to make up for some lost time.
Prediction: Loss (2-1)
This looks like a step too far for the Commanders at this stage of the campaign. However, it promises to be a good measuring stick for head coach Dan Quinn to determine how far his team is from the contending outfits around the league. If Washington can keep it close, that would be a morale boost even if the result doesn't go their way.
Commanders at Cardinals - Week 4
This one will mean more to Kliff Kingsbury than most. The Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator was fired as Arizona Cardinals head coach after failing to build on some early momentum. He'll be looking to silence some in the region who criticized his methods heavily.
The Cardinals are no pushover. They have a healthy Kyler Murray back under center and boast some explosive young defenders capable of impacting proceedings considerably once early momentum is generated. Arizona also drafted wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4 overall, who many believe is a generational prospect capable of taking the NFL by storm immediately.
Prediction: Win (3-1)
Again, this will be determined by how everything meshes throughout the preparation period. If everything goes according to or perhaps better than expected, it could be the deciding factor in the Commanders gaining another vital road victory - the sort that was seldom seen during the Ron Rivera years.
Commanders vs. Browns - Week 5
Much of the Cleveland Browns' success in 2024 will depend on Deshaun Watson. The controversial quarterback was acquired at great expense by the organization, but his suspension coupled with injury problems means the jury is still out as to whether this monumental gamble will pay off.
If Watson can make a better go of things, the Browns have the roster capable of making their presence felt throughout the campaign. They have a physical rushing attack and a defense that's easily one of the NFL's most dominant led by stud edge rusher Myles Garrett. Unless the Commanders' offensive line improves, the former first-round pick is going to have a significant say on proceedings in this one.
Prediction: Loss (3-2)
The Browns are beatable, but there's just no telling how Washington's protection in front of quarterback Jayden Daniels is going to hold up. Cleveland is prolific at stopping the run, so the potential complications are there for all to see.
Commanders at Ravens - Week 6
A daunting short trip across the DMV awaits the Washington Commanders in Week 6. Traveling to the Baltimore Ravens means they must be up for the fight with their backs against the wall. This will be a strong indicator of the inner character and camaraderie within the building against a team primed for another Super Bowl tilt in 2024.
The Ravens have reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson under center. Their playmakers on offense are substantial and dangerous in equal measure. That's without taking into consideration their exceptional defense, which is mixed with the right blend of youth and experience capable of giving quarterback Jayden Daniels nightmares in this one.
Prediction: Loss (3-3)
This would be a shock of epic proportions if the Commanders pulled this off. They might keep it closer than many expect, but Dan Quinn's men could just as easily get blown out by a franchise that has grand ambitions to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2024.
Commanders vs. Panthers - Week 7
The Carolina Panthers were comfortably the NFL's worst team in 2023. They won just two games and had to suffer the embarrassment of handing over the No. 1 overall selection to the Chicago Bears. However, they should be in a better place entering the new campaign.
They've invested heavily in giving Bryce Young everything he needs to excel. The quarterback went through significant turmoil as a rookie, so anything less than major improvements might come with grave consequences attached.
Prediction: Win (4-3)
The Panthers should be better next season - it's not like they can get much worse. That said, this looks like a golden chance for the Washington Commanders' offense to run up the score versus a defense that lost some key figures - including linebacker Frankie Luvu after he decided to join forces with Dan Quinn - this offseason.
Commanders vs. Bears - Week 8
The top two selections in the 2024 NFL Draft will square off as rookies, which should be a fascinating battle. Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears travel to Commanders Field in Week 8. This should be a solid litmus test for both signal-callers with some prominent game time under their respective belts beforehand.
Williams is the supposed generational talent. Jayden Daniels is arguably the most pro-ready emerging from the college ranks after his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign at LSU. And who knows, this could be the start of a storied rivalry between the two that can last for the next decade.
Prediction: Win (5-3)
The Bears have gone through substantial roster alterations this offseason around their rookie quarterback, similar to the Commanders. Coping with the playmaking threat of D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze will be difficult, but Washington has enough to get the job done in a close-fought contest and avenge their Thursday Night Football loss in 2023.
Commanders at NY Giants - Week 9
MetLife Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for the Washington Commanders in recent seasons. This is a different roster and coaching staff, but it still represents a significant challenge they must take seriously at a crucial stage of the campaign.
It's hard to gauge where the Giants will be at this juncture. Daniel Jones is on the hot seat in no uncertain terms, but someone like wide receiver Malik Nabers could have enough confidence at the midseason point to cause the Washington secondary untold complications unless improvements arrive from the likes of Emmanuel Forbes and Benjamin St-Juste.
Prediction: Loss (5-4)
This could go either way with the Giants in 2024. The two sides look evenly matched on paper, but it wouldn't be the biggest shock to see them split the NFC East series by both achieving victories on home soil.
Commanders vs. Steelers - Week 10
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a tough evaluation right now. They have one of the league's most accomplished coaches in Mike Tomlin, so the Washington Commanders should know they'll fight with their hands. But the AFC North team's chances in 2024 will be predicated on how their quarterback situation unfolds during the campaign.
After cutting the Kenny Pickett experiment short, the Steelers signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields. This is an interesting dynamic, to put it mildly, but it doesn't necessarily mean all the pieces of the Pittsburgh puzzle are solved.
Prediction: Win (6-4)
The Commanders have a better long-term option at football's most important position if Jayden Daniels reaches his ceiling. Pittsbirgh's defense will give the No. 2 pick all he can handle, but he's got the big game experience and poise needed to emerge victorious if everything else meets their end of the bargain.
Commanders at Eagles - Week 11 (TNF)
The Washington Commanders embark on a primetime showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11. This was one of the more entertaining games last season thanks to Sam Howell's heroics, but the result was in keeping with the two teams' differing trajectories in recent seasons.
Philadelphia collapsed late in the 2023 campaign, but they've done a good job of retooling their roster this offseason despite losing Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox to retirement. This looks like a roster capable of going deep into the postseason, but every team is beatable on any given occasion.
Prediction: Loss (6-5)
The Eagles seem to have Washington's number lately. Perhaps a fresh injection of coaching schematic ideas and a more accomplished roster will help. But until the Commanders prove capable of going on the road and dethroning a division juggernaut, it's hard to predict anything other than defeat right now.
Commanders vs. Cowboys - Week 12
The storied rivalry renewed once again. This time, there is added spice attached after Dan Quinn became Washington Commanders head coach, bringing several coaches and staff from the Dallas Cowboys to assist with his second opportunity in the prominent position of power.
This familiarity can work both ways. The Commanders will have a better indication of player talent and schematic concepts. But the Cowboys will also be fully aware of the strengths and weaknesses of their adversaries, many of whom were previously employed by the organization.
Prediction: Win (7-5)
After an offseason of unrivaled optimism, the Commanders need a statement win to boost confidence further at some stage during the 2024 campaign. What better way for Quinn to accomplish this feat than by beating Dallas in front of what should be a sold-out home crowd with renewed belief?
Commanders vs. Titans - Week 13
If the Washington Commanders can get to this stage of the season with a .500 record or better, nobody can ask any more of them. Week 11 provides another winnable game at home to the Tennessee Titans, who've gone through a makeover after firing head coach Mike Vrabel and replacing him with former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.
Their moves made throughout the offseason suggest a changing of the guard. They've also made a concerted effort to place upgrades around quarterback Will Levis to get a better evaluation of his capabilities following a rollercoaster rookie campaign where he flashed moments of outstanding promise.
Prediction: Win (8-5)
The Commanders should have enough to make life extremely uncomfortable for Levis with a solid number of games under their belt at this juncture. This could be a banana skin if everyone isn't at the top of their performance levels, but having an improved record could be enough to maintain focus despite weary bodies heading into their all-important bye week.
Commanders at Saints - Week 15
After so much-needed rest during the bye week, the Washington Commanders return to the gridiron at the New Orleans Saints. This is notoriously one of the loudest venues to go, but he won't be unknown to Jayden Daniels after the quarterback spent the final two years of his college career at nearby LSU.
The Saints are a tough evaluation right now. They once again played salary-cap gymnastics to keep some semblance of order across their roster. New Orleans also decided to keep faith with quarterback Derek Carr despite his turbulent first season with the franchise. It's not the force of old, but the Commanders must not treat them lightly by any stretch of the imagination.
Prediction: Loss (8-6)
Washington will have extra time to prepare for this one. That said, Daniels will need to operate the silent count effectively and cope with the emotion of performing against a fanbase that used to worship him but will now be praying for his downfall. Easier said than done.
Commanders vs. Eagles - Week 16
If the Washington Commanders want to stand any chance of making waves in 2024, they must perform better against NFC East opposition. Not the easiest task considering the strength within the division, but it's something head coach Dan Quinn needs to figure out quickly in pursuit of giving his team every chance to thrive.
The Philadelphia Eagles are the division favorites once again to nobody's surprise. There are some slight concerns that Howie Roseman looked to alleviate throughout another active offseason of recruitment, so anyone expecting them to continue the alarming slide they suffered down the stretch in 2023 is kidding themselves.
Prediction: Loss (8-7)
If the Commanders could beat the Eagles once next season, it would be a massive step in the right direction. Just don't go putting your house on it.
Commanders vs. Falcons - Week 17
The Washington Commanders round out their home contests against the Atlanta Falcons. This could be a reunion between the franchise and its former quarterback Kirk Cousins. Whether he'll be under center by this point remains a hot - albeit surprising - topic of discussion.
The Falcons allocated significant resources to bringing in Cousins from the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. They also spent the No. 8 overall selection on Michael Penix Jr., which put the cat amongst the pigeons in no uncertain terms. It was a strange way to go about their roster building, so it remains to be seen whether any friction emerges throughout the campaign.
Prediction: Win (9-7)
This is a test the Commanders must be ready for whether they're playing for anything at this juncture or not. The Falcons have some gifted playmakers on offense and some talented defenders to boot. However, Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels will be eager to send the home faithful home happy for the final time in 2024.
Commanders at Cowboys - Week 18
In what seems to be an annual event these days, the Washington Commanders conclude their 2024 regular season against the Dallas Cowboys. The previous two years have come on home soil. This time, they'll travel to AT&T Stadium.
This will have special significance for Dan Quinn. He left his position as Cowboys defensive coordinator to get another head coaching opportunity with an NFC East rival. One thing he won't want is to be embarrassed versus his old employers, who were happy enough to see him depart after their playoff capitulation versus the Green Bay Packers.
Prediction: Loss (9-8)
The Commanders should be more competitive at the same venue where they were obliterated on Thanksgiving with the entire NFL world watching last season. However, achieving a final-day success might be a little ambitious looking at how things stand before we see how things play out.
Although the final game would be disappointing, finishing at 9-8 would be a considerable accomplishment in their first season under Quinn and Adam Peters.