Fans can barely believe what is transpiring where the Washington Commanders are concerned in 2024. This team is never out of a fight. They are way ahead of their initial offseason projections in Year 1 of a substantial rebuild. It also seems like lady luck is on their side.
Just when all hope seemed lost against the Chicago Bears despite dominating most of the contest, the Commanders pulled off a miracle. Jayden Daniels launched the football downfield as time expired. A fortunate tip fell straight into the hands of wide receiver Noah Brown for the most memorable on-field moment in years at Northwest Stadium.
Something special is happening in Washington. Everything is coming together quickly. The culture shift within the building has been nothing short of remarkable. Dan Quinn is taking nothing for granted, so building on this unbelievable momentum heading into the midway stage and beyond will only cement their hopes of postseason football.
With this in mind, we took a look at how the Commanders might fare over their next four games following a sensational 6-2 start to the 2024 season.
Predicting the Commanders' next four games after 6-2 start in 2024
Commanders at NY Giants - Week 9
- Date: Sunday, November 3
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: MetLife Stadium
The Washington Commanders have another chance to stamp their authority within the NFC East this weekend. Dan Quinn's men can also secure a season sweep over the New York Giants with victory at MetLife Stadium.
These are bragging rights seldom seen for fans in recent years. Washington was the division's whipping boy for most of Ron Rivera's tenure. In just a few short months, the Commanders have moved atop the NFC East and look like a team capable of pushing the Philadelphia Eagles hard for the championship.
Things are less promising for the Giants, who were soundly beaten by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Brian Daboll's squad is 2-6 and comes into the clash on the back of a three-game skid. This is the sort of vulnerable team the Commanders have disposed of with ruthless efficiency this season.
Questions remain about quarterback Daniel Jones' ability to successfully lead this franchise to prominence. They have some outstanding defensive playmakers and first-round wide receiver Malik Nabers, but the Commanders have nothing to fear aside from that.
- Prediction: Commanders win (7-2)
MetLife Stadium hasn't been the best hunting ground for Washington in recent years. That should change in Week 9 if everyone performs up to the required standards and rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman makes it out of the NFL's concussion protocol.
Commanders vs. Steelers - Week 10
- Date: Sunday, November 10
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
If the New York Giants game signals the midseason point for the Washington Commanders, the second half of their 2024 engagements is far more challenging. The Pittsburgh Steelers visit Northwest Stadium in Week 10, which is a tough test versus one of the league's best defenses to counteract.
Not many expected the Steelers to make waves in 2024. Mike Tomlin rolled the dice with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson at the quarterback position. The perceived strength of others in the AFC North left analysts wondering if the head coach was bracing himself for a first losing season since taking the job.
Turns out the joke was on them.
Pittsburgh is among the league's surprise packages at 6-2 atop the division. Tomlin's decisions throughout the offseason are reaping significant rewards. Even putting Wilson into the lineup at the expense of Fields - something that came in for scathing criticism - has gone off without a hitch.
This is one of the toughest challenges remaining for Dan Quinn. The Commanders need to be ready for the physical challenge. Their offensive line must restrict an outstanding defensive front led by All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt. Washington's improving secondary needs to keep George Pickens and Najee Harris quiet. Anything less comes with grave consequences attached.
To make matters worse, this is also the second time in three weeks that the Commanders are facing a team coming off their bye week. The Steelers will be fresh and well-prepared. That's a big problem for Washington in pursuit of keeping its exceptional home record intact.
- Prediction: Commanders loss (7-3)
This could legitimately go either way right now. The Commanders are in tremendous form right now, but so are the Steelers. It has all the makings of a fascinating battle between two storied franchises. But the prolonged rest and extra preparation time might be enough to tip the scales in Pittsburgh's favor slightly.
Commanders at Eagles - Week 11
- Date: Thursday, November 14
- Time: 8.15 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
A short turnaround faces the Washington Commanders in Week 11 when they participate in their final prime-time game of the 2024 season. However, there's a high chance more contests will get flexed later in the campaign if head coach Dan Quinn's squad keeps up their sensational start.
It's also a pivotal division clash between two teams fighting it out for the NFC East crown. The Dallas Cowboys are not completely out of the running, but it's looking increasingly likely that the Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles will be walking away with the championship if the same trend continues over the second half of 2024.
This might come down to how the two squads fare against one another in a competitive setting. Washington needs to split the series at the very least. They ran the Eagles close twice last season despite eventually falling short. This is a different team in every conceivable way this time around, so it'll be interesting to see how they measure up with the national spotlight glaring.
The Eagles are coming to life after a rocky start. Nick Sirianni is relying heavily on star running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts is finding his groove. Couple this with a dynamic defense and intimidating environment at Lincoln Financial Field, it's not hard to see where complications could emerge.
But again, this is not the Commanders of old.
They are finding different ways to win. They are progressing well and overcoming whatever injury issues present themselves. There's an elite mindset within the organization. They are also never out of any game with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels under center.
- Prediction: Commanders win (8-3)
It's beyond time that the Commanders began imposing their will on the Eagles. It won't be easy, not by any stretch of the imagination. But if there was ever a time for Quinn's men to pick up a monumental statement win on the road, it's now.
Commanders vs. Cowboys - Week 12
- Date: Sunday, November 24
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
This game will mean more to head coach Dan Quinn. It also happens to be a storied rivalry between two fierce adversaries within the NFC East.
The Washington Commanders haven't emerged from their recent clashes against the Dallas Cowboys with much credit. They were blown out constantly throughout Ron Rivera's tenure. It's time this narrative changed and nobody will know more about how to counteract their threats than Quinn.
Quinn, together with several Washington staff members, spent years in Dallas. They enjoyed tremendous success and nurtured some players into top-tier performers. One only has to look at the Cowboys' defensive regression since his departure to see that.
It didn't take long for Quinn to become the scapegoat once he took the Commanders' head coaching job. He was seen as the weak link and the root of all their problems. But looking at how things are unraveling in Dallas currently, their complications run much deeper.
Their defense couldn't stop a nosebleed right now. They are soft in the middle and one of the league's worst run defenses for good measure. Dallas' offense doesn't have a ground game and their once-vaunted offensive line is getting bullied in the trenches. That's a dangerous mix that isn't exactly a recipe for success.
Owner/general manager Jerry Jones is on the back foot for the way he handled matters throughout the offseason. The Cowboys dithered on contract extensions and claimed they didn't have enough money to sign Derrick Henry. This is music to the ears of every NFC East adversary, especially considering he's not going to relinquish power anytime soon.
This is a game the Commanders can win. They cannot become daunted by the challenge. There should also be plenty of extra motivation for the players, who'll be giving their all to provide Quinn with bragging rights versus his old employers.
- Prediction: Commanders win (9-3)
If the Commanders found themselves at 9-3 with their bye week in sight, it would be a remarkable accomplishment. One nobody thought possible before the campaign, but things look a lot different now.