Predicting the Commanders' next four games after 4-1 start in 2024
By Dean Jones
Commanders vs. Panthers - Week 7
- Date: Sunday, October 20
- Time: 4.05 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
The Carolina Panthers are a complete mess right now. This has been the story since team owner David Tepper bought the franchise from Jerry Richardson and shows no signs of slowing down.
Head coach Dave Canales is dealing with some significant injury issues and took the difficult decision to bench quarterback Bryce Young after two games. Things haven't gotten much better with veteran Andy Dalton under center, so this is a fantastic opportunity for the Washington Commanders all things considered.
Dan Quinn won't be taking any team lightly. The Commanders don't have that luxury at this stage of their rebuild. Maintaining high standards and professionalism whether the opposition is playing well or not separates the good teams from the also-rans. That's the message that must be drilled into his players amid such ongoing adulation.
The Commanders should have plenty of insider knowledge available on the defensive side of things. Ferocious linebacker Frankie Luvu turned down an extension from Carolina to link up with Quinn in Washington. Box safety Jeremy Chinn is silencing his doubters gradually after becoming an afterthought under Panthers' defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero last season.
Carolina sits at 1-4 with more questions than answers about the team's current direction. They're without some key personnel, with Derrick Brown, Shaq Thompson, and Austin Corbett all ruled out for the season with differing injuries.
If Washington wants to meet some loftier targets following an outstanding start to the campaign, these are the games they need to win. There is no room for sentiment in the NFL. The Commanders must be ruthless and go for the throat versus one of the league's bottom feeders. Nothing else will do.
- Prediction: Commanders Win (5-2)
These are two teams heading in opposite directions right now. Nothing is guaranteed, but one would be hard-pressed to bet against the Commanders in this one.