How could the Washington Commanders fare over the next four games after getting their 2023 season underway with a hard-fought victory?
The Washington Commanders made hard work of it, but they got the job done eventually to begin the campaign with success over the Arizona Cardinals. There is a lot of hard work ahead, but building on the team's newfound momentum in front of a sold-out FedEx Field was absolutely imperative despite the imperfect performance overall.
Anything less than victory would have made things difficult for Ron Rivera heading into such a critical campaign. The experienced head coach has the full support of Josh Harris currently, but the owner freely admitted it's a results business and that's how he'll be judged when push comes to shove.
There aren't many who are especially high on the Commanders right now. However, that could change depending on what transpires over the next few weeks as the schedule gets a little tougher.
With this in mind, we took a look at how the Commanders might fare over their next four games after securing a 1-0 start last weekend.
Commanders at Broncos - Week 2
Next up for the Washington Commanders is a tricky-looking trip to the Denver Broncos. The testing altitude coupled with this being Sean Payton's first competitive game as head coach are tough challenges to overcome, but Ron Rivera's squad is brimming with confidence and might fancy their chances of a second straight triumph.
Obviously, the Commanders will be heavily reliant on their defense. Russell Wilson isn't the force of old under-center, so if the defensive line creates havoc once again and the secondary takes advantage of takeaway opportunities, they'll be right in the mix.
Prediction: Win (2-0)
It won't be easy. But if the defense plays well and quarterback Sam Howell cuts down on turnovers in his first NFL road start, a shock Commanders win might not be too far-fetched.
Commanders vs. Bills - Week 3
While the Buffalo Bills warrant respect, their error-prone loss against the New York Jets was a sign they might not be the force of old. Especially considering Gang Green suffered the biggest blow imaginable when legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles after just four offensive plays.
Josh Allen came in for criticism after turning the ball over frequently once again. Questions have been asked about the quarterback's ball security over recent months, but his ability to turn any game on its head is something the Washington Commanders must be ready for.
Buffalo is one of the AFC favorites for a reason. That shouldn't change after just one game, although the margin for error has diminished significantly after their shocking loss on Monday Night Football.
This also sees Ron Rivera going up against his former staff member Sean McDermott, who was Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator before receiving a well-deserved promotion of his own. That might bring some familiarity into the equation in front of what's expected to be another sold-out crowd at FedEx Field.
Prediction: Win (3-0)
This is the statement game Rivera and quarterback Sam Howell are looking for early in the campaign. With a rabid fanbase cheering them on, securing a third success win would be nothing short of a dream for everyone associated with the Commanders.
Commanders at Eagles - Week 4
The Washington Commanders' first divisional clash of the 2023 campaign is a difficult one. Going to the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles is always a huge litmus test thanks to their outstanding roster across the board and a fanbase that is widely regarded as one of the league's most intimidating.
Again, this is a journey into the proverbial unknown for Sam Howell. The quarterback played in some hostile environments during his college days at North Carolina, but this will be another level up and something Eric Bieniemy must prepare his signal-caller for fully before stepping onto the field.
Despite the Eagles barely escaping Gillette Stadium with victory over the New England Patriots, they are absolutely loaded from top to bottom. And in stud defensive lineman Jalen Carter, they boast a legitimate game-wrecker and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner.
If the Commanders go into this game 3-0, they are playing with house money. That means Ron Rivera and his players can relax and perform with a little extra freedom in pursuit of putting the entire NFL on notice.
Predication: Loss (3-1)
While getting one over on divisional rivals would be a staggering achievement this early into Howell's tenure under center, the Eagles might have too much for Washington on home soil. But if the Commanders can keep it close until late, that represents a moral triumph if nothing else.
Commanders vs. Bears - Week 5
A short week awaits the Washington Commanders with just a few short days to rest and prepare before Thursday Night Football against the Chicago Bears at FedEx Field. Two of the NFL's most storied franchises lock horns for the first primetime game under Josh Harris' ownership group, so it promises to be another occasion that will live long in the memory.
When examining the Commanders' schedule before the campaign, this looked like one of their more winnable games. Something that was reflected by a torrid outing for the Bears in Week 1 when they were walloped by Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers.
There are a lot of new moving parts trying to mesh in Chicago. They should be better by this point, but the Commanders have more than enough in their locker to get the job done with the NFL spotlight glaring.
Keeping third-year quarterback Justin Fields contained will be key to the overall outcome. Fortunately for the Commanders, they have a stout defensive front capable of achieving this objective and Chase Young should be back by this point for good measure.
Prediction: Win (4-1)
Any Commanders fan that got offered 4-1 to start the season would have bitten your hand off before the regular season commences. This is the perfect platform to mount a surprising playoff push, although Ron Rivera will be keen to point out that complacency is not an option.