Predicting the Commanders' next four games after 7-4 start in 2024
By Dean Jones
Commanders vs. Eagles - Week 16
- Date: Sunday, Decemver 22
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- TV channel: FOX
The Washington Commanders get a chance for revenge against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. A much better effort is needed from head coach Dan Quinn's men to avoid a similar fate.
After an immense amount of hype before their Thursday Night Football clash in Week 11, the game ended up a little lackluster. Both offenses found it difficult until the Eagles blew Washington away in the fourth quarter. Significant adjustments are needed from coordinator Kliff Kingsbury to have more joy against a defense coming on leaps and bounds.
The Eagles have some outstanding young talent on that side of the football. Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter are a wrecking crew on the defensive line interior. Zack Baun is one of the league's most prolific linebackers. The rookie duo of Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell have transformed Philadelphia's secondary in the blink of an eye.
This is a stern measuring stick for the Commanders. They fell short during their first meeting at Lincoln Financial Field. Learning lessons and making the correct schematic corrections is crucial.
These are the sort of games where Marshon Lattimore's presence is critical. Mike Sainristil was arguably Washington's best player on primetime, holding his own against A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith en route to an encouraging performance. That wasn't enough thanks to others in the cornerback room failing to meet expectations.
That will change with Lattimore - someone capable of locking down one side of the field and taking on the challenge of guarding the opposition's best-receiving threat. But unless the Commanders have an answer for running back Saquon Barkley, the complications are there for all to see.
- Prediction: Commanders loss (10-5)
The Commanders will be keen to stamp their authority on the Eagles after a poor first showing versus the two historic rivals. But even if they don't come out on the other end smiling, being 10-5 with two games remaining isn't a bad position to be in by any stretch of the imagination.
More Commanders news and analysis
feed