The Washington Commanders are in the middle of their worst run of the 2024 campaign. They were expected to easily dispose of the Dallas Cowboys during a divisional encounter in Week 12. Another lackluster display condemned Dan Quinn's squad to their third-straight defeat despite a late rally.
This is quickly becoming a problem. The Commanders look tired and devoid of ideas. There's a tenseness and hesitation to their execution that wasn't evident earlier in the campaign. Quinn needs to find the right answers, and quickly, to ensure the team's hard work earlier this season doesn't go to waste.
A huge effort is needed. Washington's margin for error to make the postseason has gone from slim to non-existent. They cannot afford this slide to continue for much longer in pursuit of meeting raised expectations.
Quinn acknowledged his players are tight right now. They have inner doubts for the first time and it shows. Some significant adjustments are needed ahead of some decent-looking contests upcoming on the schedule with their long-awaited bye week thrown in for good measure.
With this in mind, we took a look at how the Commanders might fare over their next four games after a 7-5 start.
Predicting the Commanders' next four games after 7-5 start in 2024
Commanders vs. Titans - Week 13
- Date: Sunday, December 1
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- TV channel: CBS
Any fans who thought this was going to be a cakewalk might want to think twice now. The Washington Commanders have lost their last three games heading into Week 13. On the flip side, the Tennessee Titans are starting to show signs of life after beating the Houston Texans.
Tennessee's defense is outstanding. Jeffrey Simmons is one of the league's best interior defensive linemen. Harold Landry III is an exceptional linebacker capable of being around the football consistently. Their secondary is a potential weak link that can be exploited, but that's no guarantee looking at how Washington's offense is performing of late.
The Commanders need to make inconsistent quarterback Will Levis uncomfortable under center. He's still adjusting to the pros in Year 2 of his professional career. There are flashes of promise, but the former second-round pick will provide chances for turnovers if enough pressure is generated.
- Prediction: Commanders win (8-5)
Bodies are aching and players are tired. One last big effort is needed before the bye week. Something the Commanders are tentatively predicted to accomplish despite their recent slump.
Commanders at Saints - Week 15
- Date: Sunday, December 15
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Caesars Superdome
- TV channel: FOX
The bye week couldn't come quickly enough for the Washington Commanders. They have the league's latest extended rest period in Week 14, which has been a war of attrition for everyone involved. The strain is starting to show, so getting some rest and recuperation will be integral to their chances down the stretch.
First up upon their return is a trip to the New Orleans Saints. Things looked promising for the NFC South outfit following a 2-0 start. Their campaign unraveled quickly after that, which saw head coach Dennis Allen lose his job and stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore traded to the Commanders with just hours remaining until the deadline.
Lattimore hasn't even practiced yet as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Head coach Dan Quinn offered a promising outlook for the four-time Pro Bowler, stating it wouldn't be too much longer before he was finally unleashed in the famous Burgundy and Gold.
If Washington's game against the Tennessee Titans comes too soon for Lattimore, he'll be making his Commanders' debut versus his old employers. That adds a little extra spice to the occasion, but it's another must-win game for Quinn's men.
The Saints have responded well to interim head coach Darren Rizzi. They won two straight before the bye - albeit against the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns. Taking them lightly is simply not an option if the Commanders want to bolster their postseason aspirations in 2024.
This game also sees rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels return to the region where he starred in college at LSU en route to the Heisman Trophy. He'll want to put on a show. His teammates should also have a fresh sense of urgency after their bye-week rest.
- Prediction: Commanders win (9-5)
Again, there's just no telling for sure how the Commanders will fare looking at the team's slump in form. But looking at the talent coupled with the rest and extra preparation time, Washington can secure a notable road victory.
Commanders vs. Eagles - Week 16
- Date: Sunday, December 22
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- TV channel: FOX
The Washington Commanders' first meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles this season didn't go according to plan. It was a high-profile showdown on Thursday Night Football between two division rivals in good form. Things were close for a while, but Nick Sirriani's men pulled away late en route to a convincing victory.
Philadelphia has been on a tear after recovering from an indifferent start. They've won their last seven games and look almost unstoppable right now. Their decision to swing for the fences with running back Saquon Barkley is proving to be yet another masterstroke by general manager Howie Roseman.
Another exceptional performance from Barkley in Week 12 versus the Los Angeles Rams put him firmly in the NFL MVP conversation. The former Penn State star is a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the football. Washington's run defense is improving gradually, but they had no answer for the dual threat last time out.
Having Marshon Lattimore back to counteract the threat A.J. Brown brings to the table will help enormously. But unless Kliff Kingsbiry's offense finds its rhythm again, the Commanders have their work cut out on home soil.
It doesn't seem likely that the Commanders can push Philadelphia for the divisional crown. They've tailed off at the worst possible time while the Eagles have kicked on. These two squads are in different places right now. That's the long and short of it.
The Eagles are primed to go deep into the postseason. The Commanders are in Year 1 of a comprehensive rebuild. They punched well above their weight until lately, so fans must keep the bigger picture in mind regardless of how things go the rest of the way.
- Prediction: Commanders loss (9-6)
This looks like a step too far for the Commanders currently. Their chances will improve if they can figure things out over the next couple of games. However, one would be hard-pressed to predict anything other than a Washington loss looking at how things stand.
Commanders vs. Falcons - Week 17
- Date: To be determined (TBD)
- Time: TBD
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- TV channel: FOX
The Washington Commanders conclude their regular-season home engagements with a tricky test against the Atlanta Falcons. The date and time haven't been confirmed by the league as yet. However, there's a chance this gets a prominent spot considering what could potentially be at stake for both teams.
Washington remains in the playoff picture despite losing their last three games. Atlanta is atop the NFC South, but they're on a two-game losing run and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are breathing down their neck heading into the business end of the campaign.
It promises to be a high-stakes situation. The Commanders have a shot if they can restrict Atlanta's offense, which is led by former Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins following his high-profile switch in free agency.
The Commanders spent years looking for a genuine franchise quarterback after mismanaging Cousin's contract situation. He'll have an extra sense of motivation in this one. He's also got some outstanding weapons such as Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Darnell Mooney at his disposal.
There should be a raucous atmosphere at Northwest Stadium for the season finale. If results go as predicted here, the prize of playoff football at the end of it could be there depending on how things go elsewhere among the postseason hopefuls.
It won't be easy, not by any stretch of the imagination. Coping with the pressure will be crucial. Retaining a better sense of composure than they've displayed of late will be the best route to success.
- Prediction: Commanders win (10-6)
This is a fine margins game that could legitimately go either way. However, the home-field advantage coupled with the need to provide one big effort to get over the line in front of their passionate fanbase might be enough to get the job done. Looking at how things stand currently, being 10-6 at this juncture is the best-case scenario for all involved.
The Commanders are down in the dumps following a three-game streak of defeats. But they are far from out.