Commanders vs. Bengals - Week 11
- Date: Monday, November 23
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- Channel: ESPN/ABC
Another prime-time game awaits the Washington Commanders as they face the Cincinnati Bengals at Northwest Stadium. This also represents another stern test of their credentials.
The Bengals are pushing hard for AFC North supremacy after substantial offseason investments. Their strength has always been the offense, but Cincinnati's defense is also showing up more, making the squad much more balanced.
Their offensive strategy isn't a secret. Quarterback Joe Burrow throws a lot. The Bengals have arguably the league's best wide receiver tandem in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and tight end Mike Gesicki also contributes when needed.
For the first time, the Bengals' offensive line is also keeping Burrow upright more often. Formidable right tackle Amarius Mims is enjoying a breakout, and Orlando Brown Jr. is having a career renaissance on the blind side.
This could turn into a shootout, which is Washington's best chance of keeping this competitive. But against a defense led by nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II and former Commanders' interior lineman Jonathan Allen, that will not be easy.
- Prediction: Loss (3-6-1)
The Commanders will have the home crowd on their side, but this might be a step too far against a team that looks more than capable of making a deep playoff run in the AFC.
Commanders at Cardinals - Week 12
- Date: Sunday, November 29
- Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Venue: State Farm Stadium
- Channel: FOX
This is where the schedule gets a little easier for the Commanders. In theory, anyway.
The Commanders travel cross-country for a late-afternoon game against the Arizona Cardinals. They are arguably more competitive than people gave them credit for before the campaign, but they are also going through some significant turmoil.
Jacoby Brissett was traded. Gardner Minshew II unfortunately went to injured reserve, leaving the Cardinals to turn to rookie Carson Beck as their new starting quarterback.
Beck was once a potential No. 1 pick, but he fell off drastically. Transferring to Miami got them to a national championship, but it wasn't enough to be anything more than a third-round selection.
Washington will have some film on Beck by this point, which is something. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is on injured reserve, and rising wide receiver Michael Wilson is also done for the year.
The Commanders are in no position to take anyone lightly. But if they cannot assert their dominance on an under-strength Cardinals team looking towards the future, there might be no hope left for head coach Dan Quinn.
- Prediction: Win (4-6-1)
Even though the Commanders will probably be favored, they still have to get the job done. And if everyone executes their assignments effectively, this could be another win in the column.
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