The Washington Commanders (2-1) are back on the road in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals (1-2). After Monday night’s big win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Washington looks for its second consecutive win.
Last week, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown. That performance earned Daniels NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
If the Commanders hope to increase their winning streak to three games, Daniels will need some help from the defense. Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray is off to a fantastic start, too, with five touchdowns and only one interception through three games against a difficult schedule. Murray has also done his fair share of damage on the ground, rushing for 161 yards.
So, who do we think wins? It’s time for Commanders Wire’s staff predictions:
Bryan Manning
Conventional wisdom says the Commanders will struggle coming off a short week and the emotional high of Monday’s upset win. But who knows with this group? This isn’t the same Washington team, thanks to one person: Daniels.
The defense remains problematic. Why would we expect them to be able to get stops against Murray? Murray, like Daniels, is an electric dual-threat who’ll create headaches for the Commanders on the second level.
I think Sunday’s game will be a shootout. And I think it’ll be close. However, it’s difficult to believe Daniels can sustain his level of play from Monday’s game. Not many veteran superstars have games like that, much less rookie quarterbacks. This game will come down to the wire, but Arizona’s defense will make more plays, resulting in a close win.
Cardinals 31, Commanders 27
Ivan Lambert
Jayden Daniels is going to miss Austin Ekeler against the Cardinals on Sunday. Ekeler has been effective, averaging 6.38 yards on his 13 carries. Even more, he is averaging 13.44 yards on his nine receptions. His 62-yard kickoff last week to open the second half also led to a short-drive touchdown.
The Commanders are going to need to run the ball better this week. Besides the Ekeler first-half touchdown run, the Commanders could not get Brian Robinson going (16-33/ 2.06).
Defensively, the Commanders are by far the worst team in the NFL on 3rd downs. They must contain Kyler Murray in the pocket. He is just as dangerous with his feet as he is passing.
Marvin Harrison Jr. looks to pose a problem for the secondary, similar to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins last week.
Cardinals 34, Commanders 27