This season is rapidly becoming a fairytale for the Washington Commanders. Many wondered if their marquee win on Monday Night Football at the Cincinnati Bengals was a flash in the pan. Dan Quinn's men followed this up with a resounding road success against the Arizona Cardinals to continue their exceptional start to the campaign.
The Commanders are on a historic run offensively. Kliff Kingsbury is scheming things up tremendously and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels looks like a superstar. Couple this with some notable defensive improvements in Week 4, and it's not hard to see why things are looking up.
It could all change in the blink of an eye. Complacency cannot become an issue for the Commanders. They are only a quarter of a way through the campaign and there will be many twists to come. Maintaining the same mindset and responding positively to the extra media attention coming their way is essential to build additional momentum in the coming weeks.
With this in mind, we predicted how the Commanders might fare over their next four games following an impressive 3-1 start to their 2024 regular-season engagements.
Predicting the Commanders' next four games after 3-1 start in 2024
Commanders vs. Browns - Week 5
- Date: Sunday, October 6
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
The atmosphere should be electric at Northwest Stadium in Week 5. Magic Johnson issued a passionate rallying cry to fans heading into their game against the Cleveland Browns. He wants them to pack the stands and spur Dan Quinn's team on to their fourth victory of the campaign.
Cleveland isn't making any great shakes so far. Their defense remains fearsome, led by stud edge rusher Myles Garrett. However, quarterback Deshaun Watson is going through significant complications under center. Something that is bringing increased scrutiny to his high-profile trade from the Houston Texans and the whopping contract given to secure his services.
- Prediction: Commanders win (4-1)
The Washington Commanders have all the momentum. Keeping it up is essential, but there's nothing to suggest that they cannot pick up another success if they come up with ways to counteract the supreme threat Garrett brings to the table.
Commanders at Ravens - Week 6
- Date: Sunday, October 13
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
Speculation is already rising about whether the Washington Commanders' short trip to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6 will be flexed to primetime. John Harbaugh's men are in front of the national television audience this weekend, but there's no doubt this contest represents an upgrade on the New York Giants versus the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football.
The Commanders have been on primetime once already at the Bengals, so it'll be interesting to see how things play out. Regardless of whether the game gets national exposure or not, it's a mouth-watering first encounter between two dynamic young quarterbacks.
Jayden Daniels has been an absolute revelation since being drafted No. 2 overall. He's on a generational run to start the campaign, displaying supreme accuracy, poise under center, and the ability to come through in clutch situations. The Commanders have a genuine superstar presence at football's most important position at long last. But this represents a different challenge entirely for head coach Dan Quinn.
The Ravens are tipped by many to reach the Super Bowl. Things have started to click over the last fortnight following their disappointing loss against the Las Vegas Raiders. Jackson - the reigning NFL MVP - continues to electrify. He's also got a formidable running back to lean on in Derrick Henry, who's torched the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills in consecutive weeks.
Washington's defense cannot allow Henry to generate momentum. The former Alabama star is almost impossible to stop once he picks up steam. Making tackles count and crowding the backfield force is the only way to contain him.
- Prediction: Commanders loss (4-2)
This is arguably the most difficult test remaining on Washington's schedule. A rousing effort is needed from top to bottom, but even that might not be enough. Everything seems to be clicking for the Ravens right now. They are also far stronger than the Commanders on paper, so this contest might be a step too far for this fledgling project.
Commanders vs. Panthers - Week 7
- Date: Sunday, October 20
- Time: 4.05 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
The Washington Commanders will not be too downbeat if they don't beat the Baltimore Ravens. It would be a tremendous bonus that's for sure, but it shouldn't prevent head coach Dan Quinn and his squad from brushing the defeat aside relatively quickly once they examine all the mitigating factors attached.
Besides, there is a winnable game for the Commanders on home soil in Week 7. The Carolina Panthers come to Northwest Stadium staring down the barrel of another losing campaign under erratic billionaire David Tepper's ownership. They've shown signs of life following their decision to bench former No. 1 pick Bryce Young, but Washington has nothing to fear.
Head coach Dave Canales is a progressive young offensive mind who's executing a much better operation with veteran quarterback Andy Dalton under center. They were competitive in defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4, but there are no moral victories in the NFL. It's also worth remembering that they are without the services of Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown and linebacker Shaq Thompson, who both suffered season-ending injuries over the first month.
The Commanders cannot - and won't - take the Panthers lightly. They still have some dangerous weapons and could have second-round running back Jonathon Brooks involved by this point. However, their inability to generate consistent pressure is something that Jayden Daniels can take advantage of.
Many around the league see the Panthers as a get-right game. Canales is working hard to shift this narrative, but it's going to take time. The Commanders look further ahead in their rebuild right now, so keeping intensity high and taking things one game at a time is paramount.
- Prediction: Commanders win (5-2)
It would be a surprise if the Commanders didn't have enough to beat the Panthers. This might be more competitive than some fans expect, so nothing but maximum commitment and the same execution showcased over the opening four contests will do.
Commanders vs. Bears - Week 8
- Date: Sunday, October 27
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
If the Washington Commanders are sitting at 5-2 by this time, expectations will be through the roof. Dan Quinn's new-look unit will be firmly in the NFC East title picture with a return to the playoffs in sight. There's still a long way to go, but the excitement will only grow if they can build on a sensational opening to the campaign.
The Chicago Bears visit Northwest Stadium in Week 8. There will be plenty of hype surrounding the game thanks to the first NFL meeting between Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams - the top two selections in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jay Glazer from FOX Sports recently revealed that the Commanders had Daniels ahead of Williams on their draft board. Make of that what you will, but the Commanders are sitting pretty with the Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU right now as the Bears' great hope goes through some growing pains.
Chicago remains competitive at 2-2 despite things not clicking fully as yet. Cohesion should have improved drastically by this point, which is a challenge the Commanders' defense must be ready for. If they can find ways to confuse Williams, mistakes will follow.
Again, this isn't a guaranteed success by any stretch of the imagination. Williams is going to be a good quarterback. He's got the likes of D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen, and Cole Kmet to rely on in the passing game. Chicago's defense also has former Commanders pass-rusher Montez Sweat, who'll be out for revenge after being stung by his trade to the NFC North outfit before the 2023 deadline.
- Prediction: Commanders win (6-2)
Being 6-2 at the midway point would be beyond the wildest dreams of fans before the season. Looking at Washington's current trajectory and the contests upcoming on the schedule, it's gone from a bold outlook to a realistic expectation. Something that will make Adam Peters' approach to the 2024 trade deadline extremely interesting.