Predicting the Commanders' next four games after 4-1 start in 2024

Commanders vs. Bears - Week 8

• Date: Sunday, October 27
• Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
• Venue: Northwest Stadium

This is a battle between the top two quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams will clash for the first time in a professional environment in Week 8 when the Chicago Bears come to Northwest Stadium. There will be other factors in play, but these rookies will take center stage in the build-up.

Daniels has taken the NFL by storm through five weeks. He's among the league's most efficient quarterbacks and has everyone associated with the Washington Commanders believing that anything is possible. Even when he looked human against the Cleveland Browns, the Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU still made the plays needed to excel.

Things haven't gone quite as well for Williams, but he's coming along gradually. The No. 1 pick turned in a high-caliber performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 5, which is everyone's get-right game these days. Building on this encouraging showing is the next challenge. Doing it on the road versus a progressive defense will be far more testing.

Washington has the defensive personnel to make life extremely uncomfortable for Williams. Joe Whitt Jr. simplified the scheme and the improvements have been vast over the last two contests. Hopefully, this is a trend that will continue long into the future.

The Bears cannot be overlooked. They have a well-balanced roster and top-level performers such as D.J. Moore and Jaylon Johnson who can have a significant impact on proceedings. This is also a revenge game for defensive end Montez Sweat, who'll be looking to make his old employers pay for deeming him expendable before the 2023 trade deadline.

• Prediction: Commanders win (6-2)

Daniels has more than enough quality to get Washington over the line and begin what could be a fascinating long-term rivalry with Williams off on the right foot. It won't be easy, but it's a definite possibility.