Commanders at Falcons - Week 4
- Date: Sunday, September 28
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Channel: FOX
The Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons were involved in a pulsating contest late in the 2024 season. Both teams went toe-to-toe with one another before Jayden Daniels left no doubt in overtime. Michael Penix Jr. gets the chance to flip the script in more comfortable surroundings this time around.
Penix got the nod as Atlanta's starting quarterback, with Kirk Cousins sitting behind as the NFL's most expensive backup signal-caller of all time. The second-year gunslinger has an abundance of weapons at his disposal, including running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and under-fire tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.
Defensively, the Falcons will be asking a lot from their two first-round edge rushers, Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Shutdown cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. and veteran safety Jessie Bates III represent a tricky conundrum to overcome in the secondary. But motivation should be high as Dan Quinn returns to the site where he was fired as head coach after leading Atlanta to a Super Bowl appearance.
- Prediction: Win (3-1)
The Commanders have enough talent to come away with their first road win of the campaign. It's not going to be easy, especially if Atlanta's young guns all hit the ground running, but Washington's experience should be enough to come out on the other end smiling.
Commanders at Chargers - Week 5
- Date: Sunday, October 5
- Time: 4.15 p.m. ET
- Venue: SoFi Stadium
- Channel: FOX
The Commanders should be expecting a physical game when they travel to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5. Jim Harbaugh and Dan Quinn are two old-school coaches who pride themselves on hard-nosed football with no quarter given. That should make this a fascinating clash when it eventually arrives.
Harbaugh got a better tune out of the Chargers than most coaches who came before him. Losing stud left tackle Rashawn Slater to a season-ending injury represents a devastating blow. But fortunately for the franchise, they had a potentially elite replacement already around in the form of 2024 first-round pick Joe Alt.
Stopping the run game could be the difference between success and failure. Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris are a dynamic tandem on paper, although the latter's status remains unclear after suffering an eye injury over the offseason. Ladd McConkey is an exceptional wide receiver, and All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack can still generate pressure consistently despite his advancing years.
The Chargers are strong and well-coached. They are also vulnerable in certain areas, which is something the Commanders must exploit.
- Prediction: Win (4-1)
This one could legitimately go either way. California kid Jayden Daniels will be looking to excel on his first homecoming since entering the league. That's always enough to provide the utmost confidence in Washington's chances.