Commanders vs. NY Giants - Week 5
- Date: Sunday, October 11
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- Channel: FOX
The Washington Commanders won't have a bye week after their international game, which presents a challenge. Instead, they return to Northwest Stadium for a crucial divisional matchup against the New York Giants.
Like the Commanders, the G-Men are dealing with injury turmoil. Starting quarterback Jaxson Dart has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury, and star edge rusher Brian Burns is also done for the year after suffering a torn ACL.
Losing two franchise cornerstones is a brutal blow to John Harbaugh's chances of hitting the ground running. The Giants are still in the fight, narrowly getting past the struggling Tennessee Titans in Week 3. That was a morale boost, but things are far from settled.
The Giants struck a trade deal with the Minnesota Vikings for J.J. McCarthy this week. Whether he will be under center by this point is debatable, but it won't matter whether it's him or Jameis Winston, given how well Washington's defense is coming together.
Pressure Winston, and he makes mistakes. That will be key for the Commanders. And if Jayden Daniels doesn't return this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts, he might be available for this one.
- Prediction: Win (3-2)
That will give everyone a massive lift. And getting above .500 in this scenario is all the motivation Washington needs to pile more misery onto the Giants.
Commanders at 49ers - Week 6
- Date: Monday, October 18
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Venue: Levi's Stadium
- Channel: ESPN/ABC
Washington's last game before their bye week is tough. The Commanders make the cross-country trip to take on the San Francisco 49ers, who have begun the campaign in imposing form and are a formidable opponent to beat on home soil.
When the schedule was announced, most believed this game received prime-time billing because of the Brandon Aiyuk saga. He didn't get his move to Washington and remains an outcast in San Francisco. However, this should still be a fascinating contest between two of the NFL's storied franchises.
The Niners may be dealing with injury problems, but they are finding ways to win. Quarterback Brock Purdy is among the early NFL MVP frontrunners, and this will also be a revenge game for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., who rejoined San Francisco this summer after the Commanders did nothing to re-sign him.
They also have some firepower on defense. Linebacker Fred Warner looks back to his best. Dan Quinn knows all about Osa Odighizuwa's talent from their time together on the Dallas Cowboys, but with the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks next up, San Francisco might not have the momentum it does right now before Monday Night Football.
- Prediction: Loss (3-3)
This might be a lot closer than people think. But the Niners' current form makes it difficult to predict anything other than a loss.
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