The NFL will release the 2023 schedule Thursday, ending one of the more pointless offseason exercises: mock schedules.
Sure, mock schedules, like mock drafts, are fun, and they give us all something to talk about as we anxiously await a new NFL season. However, we can look ahead to the new season on Thursday, mapping out which games to attend or which stretches are the most difficult, etc.
We know every NFL’s team list of opponents once the previous season is finished. For example, the Washington Commanders will have nine away games in 2023. The Commanders will have three trips out West in 2023 [Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks.]
How difficult is Washington’s 2023 schedule?
Per Andrew Siciliano of the NFL Network via NFL Research, the Commanders have the eighth-toughest schedule next season.
Per @NFLResearch:
Eagles have the “most difficult” 2023 strength-of-schedule.
Falcons have the “easiest”.
**(Past performance not necessarily indicative of future results.) pic.twitter.com/ylyP2aT3jW
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) May 9, 2023
Let’s be clear, May’s strength of schedule is much different than November’s strength of schedule. Some teams projected to be playoff teams will be massive disappointments. While others expected to be selecting in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL draft will be playoff contenders. It happens every year.
Could Washington be one of those latter teams that make a playoff push in 2023? Considering the talent on both sides of the ball, it’s not far-fetched. However, everything for the Commanders comes down to what they receive from the quarterback position next fall.