Expectations weren’t high for the Washington Commanders heading into the 2022 NFL season. While useless projections had the Commanders maxed out at seven wins for the season in most cases, head coach Ron Rivera was always optimistic.
Remember when Rivera said, multiple times, year three of a regime was critical, and you’d begin to see positive results? Rivera knew last offseason he needed to upgrade the quarterback position. The Commanders tried to trade for Russell Wilson and Jimmy Garoppolo, but for different reasons, neither deal worked out. In Wilson’s case, Washington is fortunate that the deal never materialized.
Instead, the Commanders traded for Carson Wentz. Almost no one thought it was a smart move, insisting Washington should’ve waited for Indianapolis to release him.
Well, through six games, Wentz led the Commanders to a 2-4 record, and he completed 62% of his passes for 1,489 yards, with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions before an injury sidelined him in Week 6.
Taylor Heinicke replaced him in the lineup, leading the Commanders to wins in five of their last seven games. Washington is 7-5-1 at the bye week and hosts the New York Giants in a critical rematch from FedEx Field in Week 15.
With four games remaining after the bye, the Commanders will be playing meaningful football throughout December and into January. For now, let’s look back at the first 13 games.