It wasn't pretty. It wasn't perfect. But the Washington Commanders are off and running under new head coach Dan Quinn following their last-gasp victory against the New York Giants in Week 2.
The result was far more important than the performance, in all honesty. Washington is about to embark on a tricky set of fixtures - three of which are on the road - so losing to the Giants wouldn't have gone down well. Quinn acknowledged there was a lot to work on after the contest, but finding a way to get the job done emerged as the biggest positive of all.
Jayden Daniels proved that if the Commanders can do just enough to give him a chance in the clutch, he can deliver. That'll be easier said than done over the next few weeks, so nothing but quick adjustments and the same collective purpose will do in pursuit of coming out on the other end with something to show for their efforts.
With this in mind, we predicted how things might unfold for the Commanders over their next four games following a 1-1 start in 2024.
Predicting the Commanders' next four games after 1-1 start in 2024
Commanders at Bengals - Week 3
- Date: Monday, September 23
- Time: 8.15 p.m. ET
- Venue: Paycor Stadium
The bright lights of Monday Night Football await the Washington Commanders in Week 3. This is the first chance for the new regime to prove they are not the same downtrodden organization of old in front of a national audience. Jayden Daniels will be aiming to announce himself on the NFL stage by getting one over on another former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback out of LSU.
The Cincinnati Bengals felt aggrieved following their narrow loss at the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2. They haven't won any of their opening two contests, but head coach Zac Taylor will see this as an ideal time to get right and finally kickstart their campaign at Washington's expense.
- Prediction: Win (2-1)
If the Commanders' secondary can hold up - especially if Tee Higgins is once again missing for the clash - they have a chance to keep this competitive. I'm airing on the side of extreme optimism with this prediction. But if the offense manages to convert some red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, Washington has a shot at shocking the Bengals.
Commanders at Cardinals - Week 4
- Date: Sunday, September 29
- Time: 4.05 p.m. ET
- Venue: State Farm Stadium
The Washington Commanders embark on their second-straight road game with a trip to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. Many fans saw this as one of the more winnable contests on the schedule before the campaign. That is not the case anymore.
After running the Buffalo Bills close before falling to defeat in their regular-season opener, the Cardinals demolished the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2. Quarterback Kyler Murray was nothing short of sensational throughout. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. also turned on the style with a first-half performance for the ages.
Couple this with an explosive young defense, and it's not hard to see where the complications could emerge. The Washington Commanders will need to match Arizona's dynamism and beware of the explosive capabilities on both sides of the football. They'll also have the inside track on how to counteract Murray's superb skill set thanks to the presence of Kliff Kingsbury.
Washington's new offensive coordinator was the Cardinals' head coach and worked closely with Murray during his time at the helm. Having this extra knowledge will help, but keeping the former No. 1 pick contained in the pocket is imperative. That's a tough ask for a defense still going through some issues, but anything less will see the Commanders get punished in the air and on the ground.
The Commanders have enough to keep this contest pretty close. Relying heavily on the in-form rushing tandem of Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler would be a good place to start. Much will also depend on whether Washington's cornerbacks can cope with the likes of Harrison and emerging tight end Trey McBride.
- Prediction: Loss (2-2)
If the Cardinals can somehow beat the Detroit Lions this weekend, they'll be brimming with confidence. They look like a well-drilled operation and an exciting team to monitor closely in Year 2 of head coach Jonathan Gannon's tenure. Beating them isn't impossible, but the result could easily go the other way unless their high-octane offense is restricted.
Commanders vs. Browns - Week 5
- Date: Sunday, October 6
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
The Washington Commanders make a welcome return to Northwest Stadium in Week 5. Their opponents are the Cleveland Browns, who could easily be 0-2 to start the campaign had it not been for a typical collapse from the Jacksonville Jaguars last time out.
Much like the Commanders, winning was all that mattered to the Browns in Week 2. They had to pick themselves up following a demoralizing beatdown against the Dallas Cowboys to kick off the campaign. This brought more questions about the future of quarterback Deshaun Watson and whether he'll ever justify the record-breaking guaranteed money on his contract.
Anyone thinking this will be a walkover for the Commanders is kidding themselves no matter how many improvements they make between now and then. This is thanks in no small part to an exceptional defense at the Browns' disposal. Jim Schwartz's unit looks capable of making things extremely difficult for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, so scheming things correctly is pivotal.
Washington's offensive line must be up for the challenge. The Browns' defensive front is relentless, led by stud edge rusher Myles Garrett. The future Pro Football Hall of Famer has the physical attributes to take over a game by himself if afforded enough opportunities to generate pressure. Something that won't go unnoticed during the team's strategizing.
Getting rookie third-rounder Brandon Coleman or veteran Cornelius Lucas - whichever one is manning the blindside by the point - plenty of help through tight-end chips and double teams would be beneficial. If they can do that and force Watson into his customary errors under pressure, Washington has an opportunity to secure its second win in as many games on home soil.
- Prediction: Win (3-2)
If the Browns get star running back Nick Chubb off injured reserve for this one, it's another complication for the Commanders' defense to overcome. But if the offensive unit can somehow find a way to take Garrett out of the equation, they can pick up another triumph from what promises to be a physical encounter.
Commanders at Ravens - Week 6
- Date: Sunday, October 12
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
The Washington Commanders are on the road again in Week 6. Fortunately for head coach Dan Quinn and his players, they don't have to travel far.
That doesn't make the proposition any less difficult. The Baltimore Ravens have started 0-2 to begin the campaign, but they remain a force to be reckoned with. There's a good chance head coach John Harbaugh will figure things out by the time Washington comes to town. And any team led by NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson deserves the utmost respect.
Jackson started the campaign in his typically imposing manner despite results not going the team's way. He's the prototypical dual-threat and is a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators to scheme against. Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. have their work cut out, especially considering ferocious running back Derrick Henry is now alongside him in the backfield.
The Ravens' demise in Week 2 was down to situational mismanagement rather than any poor performance. They have more than enough talent to turn things around. At the same time, Harbaugh cannot afford any further slip-ups with the Pittsburgh Steelers topping the AFC North with two wins in as many contests.
This will be an exceptional measuring stick for the Commanders with the midseason point on the horizon. Testing their skills versus a team that still harbors Super Bowl hopes will give those in power an indicator of how far away they are from holding similar ambitions. The Ravens will improve. It's up to Washington to do the same.
The Commanders' defense doesn't look well suited to counteract Jackson as things stand. They'll need big performances from the likes of Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, and Jeremy Chinn when the signal-caller takes off. Those in the trenches also need to wrap Henry up at the contact point, however impossible that might be when early momentum is generated.
- Prediction: Loss (3-3)
This might be a step too far for the Commanders. But starting the campaign 3-3 wouldn't be the worst situation in the world by any stretch.