How could the Washington Commanders fare over their next four games before and after the bye with the team currently sitting at 4-6?
It was another moral victory for the Washington Commanders last time out versus a potential playoff hopeful. But when it's all said and done, it became another loss that put a severe dent in their postseason aspirations.
More concerning, the same problems emerged. Washington's offensive and quarterback Sam Howell, in particular, did enough to triumph - it was the much-maligned defense that couldn't reach the performance levels expected at the game's most critical moments.
Just where the Commanders go from here is anyone's guess. It'll take a huge turnaround to enter the wildcard discussion, which was likely the minimum requirement for head coach Ron Rivera heading into Year 4 of his tenure with new ownership examining everything associated with the franchise.
The Commanders are still fighting, even if they don't have the necessary quality in certain areas. But how could Washington fare over their next four games at 4-6 and with their highly anticipated bye week upcoming?
Commanders vs. NY Giants - Week 11
This is a must-win for the Washington Commanders. They stand 0-3 within the division and the New York Giants are languishing in abject failure after making the playoffs in 2022.
There will be no Daniel Jones or Tyrod Taylor under center, which is a plus. That didn't seem to bother the Giants during their win over the Commanders earlier this season, so complacency must not become an issue as Ron Rivera's men look to get their stuttering campaign back on track.
Prediction: Win (5-6)
This is easily their most winnable remaining contest. Washington is a 9.5-point favorite with most sportsbooks, so anything less than a win at FedEx Field is not going to be well received.
Commanders at Cowboys - Week 12
A quick turnaround for the Washington Commanders sees them take the national limelight on Thanksgiving at the Dallas Cowboys. It's also another NFC East rivalry, which often means form goes out the window between two teams that know each other extremely well.
The Cowboys look like they are going to make another bold postseason bid. While they don't have a marquee win versus a leading contender as yet, Dallas is making light work of those lower down the NFL's pecking order, which is where the Commanders reside at 4-6 and going nowhere fast.
Washington is likely going to be a heavy underdog on the road, but they aren't without a chance. Keeping things close early will be crucial, which all starts with Jack Del Rio's defense rising to the occasion and limiting a high-octane Cowboys passing attack led by quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
One positive for the Commanders is Sam Howell's ongoing ability to perform up to his opposition. A strong performance with the nationwide audience watching on during their Thanksgiving festivities would lend further weight to the claims he can be Washington's long-term option under center.
Prediction: Loss (5-7)
Easier said than done in front of an offensive line that continues to struggle. We're predicting a loss, but there's also a chance this could be a lot closer than many expect considering how well the Commanders have played as road underdogs at times this season.
Commanders vs. Dolphins - Week 13
With the bye within touching distance, the Washington Commanders have one more daunting challenge to overcome in Week 12. The Miami Dolphins are taking the NFL by storm in 2023, which is thanks in no small part to their electrifying offense led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and masterful scheming by head coach Mike McDaniel.
Their defensive unit has some holes that can be exploited, but the Commanders' defense looks overmatched. Jack Del Rio needs to pull every rabbit out of the hat to stand any chance of limiting explosive plays, which has been an ongoing frustration for Washington under his leadership.
Tagovailoa gets the ball out quickly, which negates a suspect Commanders' pass-rush missing Montez Sweat and Chase Young. The likes of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle cannot be caught with early momentum, so it's a case of containing rather than completely shutting down the dynamic wide receiver duo.
Controlling the clock on offense is key. The best way to thwart Miami is by keeping their offensive playmakers off the field entirely, which means establishing the run and winning tough battles in the trenches.
Prediction: Loss (5-8)
Again, this is a game that the Commanders can win if everyone performs up to or above expectations. The last thing they need is a shootout, but it might have to be that way if the defense continues its poor run of form.
Commanders at LA Rams - Week 15
A long trip cross-country awaits the Washington Commanders after their bye week. The Los Angeles Rams surprised a few early on this season, but they are currently sitting at 3-6 with almost no chance of making the postseason as things begin to tail off.
Residing within such a competitive NFC West division doesn't help. But any offense led by head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford needs the correct respect - or it could be the Commanders' undoing.
SoFi Stadium is a notoriously fast surface, but there is no home advantage from the stands. This is something that could work in the Commanders' favor, with the extra preparation time something else Ron Rivera has going for him.
Whether the Commanders make any big changes during the bye week sitting at 5-8 remains to be seen. Majority partner Josh Harris normally preaches patience, but the likes of basketball icon Magic Johnson might plead his case to give Eric Bieniemy a run of games as head coach to properly evaluate whether he should be considered for permanent promotion.
Prediction: Win (6-8)
This means there are a lot of unknowns before Week 15. But looking at where the two teams stand right now, the Commanders have more than enough in their locker to get one over on the Rams.