To put it mildly, this was a pretty bad week for the Washington Commanders. Losing to the Dallas Cowboys put them at 0-2 to start the campaign, and they also lost star quarterback Jayden Daniels to yet another dislocated elbow.
Just a complete disaster.
The players are demoralized. Head coach Dan Quinn was visibly dismayed, wondering when his luck would turn. But this is the NFL, and there is no time to feel sorry for themselves.
The Commanders have to get back up and find a way to fight through adversity. Not having Daniels is a crushing setback, and there is no telling when (or if) he will return. With several other key figures also dealing with injuries, this campaign already looks like it could go off the rails.
Quinn is now rallying around veteran backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, who will start until further notice. That's easy to do, but the ongoing defensive frailties are a glaring concern the Commanders must address if they want any chance of being competitive.
Looking at their upcoming schedule, both before and after the bye week, that will be easier said than done. With this in mind, we predicted how things might go over the next five games.
Predicting the Washington Commanders' next five games after their 0-2 start to the 2026 season
Commanders vs. Seahawks - Week 3
- Date: Sunday, September 27
- Time: 1:00 p.m ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- Channel: FOX
If head coach Dan Quinn could have hand-picked his next opponent after another turbulent week, the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks would be way down the list.
Unfortunately, that is precisely what awaits the Commanders this weekend.
Despite losing quarterback Sam Darnold to injury early in Week 1, the Seahawks have picked up where they left off last season. Drew Lock has kept things ticking over under center, and Mike Macdonald's defense remains a formidable proposition to overcome despite some key offseason departures.
This is a big test for the Commanders. And that might be an understatement.
Marcus Mariota will be under pressure, with right guard Sam Cosmi and left tackle Brandon Coleman both nursing health issues on an already threadbare offensive line. Washington's woeful secondary will have its hands full with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who looks sensational through two games.
Low energy and morale heading into the Commanders' home opener isn't ideal. They have no expectations on their shoulders, so playing with freedom might actually work in their favor.
- Prediction: Loss (0-3)
The cards are stacked against Washington. It would be a bombshell of epic proportions if they pulled off a win against a formidable Seahawks team at Northwest Stadium.
Add us as a preferred source on Google