How could the Washington Commanders fare over the next four games after ending their concerning losing streak at the Atlanta Falcons?
Everyone breathed in a big sigh of relief after the Washington Commanders rolled up their sleeves and got back into the win column in Week 6. It wasn't perfect at the Atlanta Falcons, but getting the job done was far more important than a good performance that didn't come with a triumph attached.
This is a step in the right direction, but no more than that. The Commanders must build on this positive momentum over a winnable series of games heading into the midseason point, which would put them in a strong position before embarking on a daunting stretch to conclude the campaign.
What comes next has obvious consequences attached. Any regression or a complete drop-off will lead to landmark changes across the board, but a few surprises here and there might see Ron Rivera's men enter postseason consideration in an NFC conference not exactly littered with world-beaters.
With this in mind, we took a look at how the Commanders might fare over their next four games following a 3-3 start in 2023.
Commanders at NY Giants - Week 7
Another divisional contest awaits the Washington Commanders this weekend when they travel to the New York Giants. This is a game where everyone within the organization should fancy their chances, with the G-Men going through some turmoil currently and could be without quarterback Daniel Jones once again.
Jones is turnover-prone, there's no getting away from that. But the Commanders have had difficulty containing the dual threat in recent years, so all the better if he's unable to participate.
Prediction: Win (4-3)
The Giants did have Saquon Barkley back versus the Buffalo Bills, which is a significant threat for the Commanders to overcome. But they should be high enough in confidence to get the victory.
Commanders vs. Eagles - Week 8
FedEx Field is once again sold out for Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Just how many visiting fans will be in attendance remains to be seen, but this represents a slight window of opportunity for the Washington Commanders versus the defending NFC conference champions.
The Eagles are missing that spark on offense right now. They remain an efficient unit, but quarterback Jalen Hurts has clearly regressed without previous offensive coordinator Shane Steichen compared to his exceptionally high standards during the previous campaign.
Couple this with the Commanders taking the Eagles to overtime during their previous meeting this season, and Washington has nothing to fear. If the home crowd can spur them on and everyone plays up to their usual level, they might just have a chance.
Of course, underestimating the Eagles would be foolish looking at their strength across the board. But this is the best chance Ron Rivera has of making a statement that the Commanders are heading in the right direction under his leadership.
This might come down to how the Commanders' secondary performs versus Philadelphia's passing attack. Much will also depend on whether Sam Howell can come up with the heroics needed, which he looks more than capable of based on his exceptional showing at Lincoln Financial Field.
Prediction: Loss (4-4)
However, until the Commanders prove otherwise, this could be a step too far for this squad when push comes to shove.
Commanders at Patriots - Week 9
The Washington Commanders would be at the midseason point with a .500 record in this scenario, so the margin for error is incredibly slim. The walls are closing in on Ron Rivera as Josh Harris' ownership group makes plans for the future, but the head coach won't be going down without a fight that's for sure.
The New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium is on the Week 9 schedule. This is not the daunting task of old.
Bill Belichick's men are a long way from the dynasty that spanned almost two decades. Their 1-5 record currently reflects how things are transpiring for a figurehead that's under a significant amount of pressure for the first time.
This is something the Commanders can take advantage of. They have the superior quarterback, better offensive weapons, and a defense that can make life extremely difficult for signal-caller Mac Jones provided the former first-round pick is still under center by this point.
Going on the road is never easy in the NFL, no matter the opposition. But again, the Commanders have absolutely nothing to fear in this one and might even be favored for the clash depending on what happens in the coming fortnight.
Prediction: Win (5-4)
It would be a body blow if the Commanders couldn't win this one. Considering their extra sense of urgency and how the Patriots are performing this season, they can pile more misery on Belichick if complacency doesn't become an issue.
Commanders at Seahawks - Week 10
Another tricky road test awaits the Washington Commanders in Week 10. Lumen Field is one of the loudest, most difficult venues for any visiting franchise, which poses a different challenge entirely for offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and an offense that does seem to be coming into its own after some early jitters.
The Seattle Seahawks' vaunted 12th Man makes things incredibly uncomfortable. This could result in a changed approach to play-calling, which is normally the case given how hearing things through the helmet or headset is almost impossible - especially early on.
One way the Commanders can counteract this threat is by silencing the crowd immediately. Establishing the run, chewing up the clock, making big plays on third down, and covert red-zone chances into touchdowns would go a long way to securing another positive result.
Pete Carroll's men are a difficult evaluation right now. They are 3-2 and in wild-card contention, but there are some holes that can be exploited if the Commanders scheme things up effectively on both sides of the football.
This might be decided by which quarterback performs better. Sam Howell's already proven he has the mindset to cope with any NFL atmosphere, but Geno Smith is no slouch either thanks to his incredible late-career renaissance.
Prediction: Win (6-4)
These two teams look evenly matched. But we're brimming with optimism after last weekend, so a Commanders' win is the prediction.
For now, at least.
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