Commanders vs. NY Giants - Week 5
- Date: Sunday, October 11
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- Channel: FOX
The Washington Commanders have a good record against the New York Giants in recent years. But judging by the G-Men's performance against the Dallas Cowboys with the entire NFL world watching, this might not be a sure thing after all.
John Harbaugh's presence as head coach had an immediate impact. The Giants looked well-drilled, knew their assignments, and executed much better. More importantly, they were coached superbly, punished the Cowboys, and thoroughly deserved their victory to start the season.
This will be a big confidence boost to a young squad that is firmly behind their head coach. It also means that the Commanders will have to be at the top of their game to prevent another divisional loss on home soil.
New York's defense is fast, especially coming off the edge. Jaxson Dart looked more efficient and far less erratic under center. Cam Skattebo provided a physical backfield presence that wore Dallas down, and wide receiver Malik Nabers made an impressive return from a torn ACL.
Prediction: Win (3-2)
Depending on how things go over the next few weeks, the Giants might be brimming with confidence in this one. The Commanders have to meet fire with fire, but they have enough talent to come away with a narrow victory if everyone meets expectations.
Commanders at 49ers - Week 6
- Date: Monday, October 19
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Venue: Levi's Stadium
- Channel: ESPN/ABC
The Commanders' final game before their bye week is a difficult one. A cross-country trip to take on the San Francisco 49ers is never easy. The fact that this is also on Monday Night Football only raises expectations further.
Perhaps the schedule-makers put this on prime time because of Brandon Aiyuk. Most thought he would land with the Commanders this offseason, but some questionable choices on social media left general manager Adam Peters with no option other than to look elsewhere.
And he remains in football purgatory with no end in sight.
Aiyuk aside, this will be a stern test of the Commanders' credentials. The Niners got their season off to the best possible start by beating the Los Angeles Rams. Most of their top stars are healthy, though some are still working their way back. And in former Washington left tackle Trent Williams, they have one of the league's most accomplished blindside protectors.
Nobody will be expecting much from the Commanders in this one. But if their game against the Philadelphia Eagles proved anything, it's that they always perform well as the underdog.
Prediction: Win (4-2)
This could go one of two ways. The Commanders get nothing going and are blown out, or Washington keeps it close for a massive upset.
And it's too early in the season to be overly pessimistic.
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