Despite an 8-8-1 record last season, the Washington Commanders ended up in last place in the NFC East, but they finished just 1 game behind the New York Giants for a Wild Card spot. The problem for Washington is that it couldn’t figure out how to win at home, going just 4-5.
The Commanders might be turning the keys over to QB Sam Howell, who had a taste of the action in January, starting the final game of the regular season. However, veteran QB Jacoby Brissett was brought in to push the 2nd-year signal caller for the starting job. Brissett had a productive 2022-23 season (2,608 passing yards, 12 passing TDs) keeping the seat warm in Cleveland while QB Deshaun Watson was suspended.
Whomever wins the starting QB job in D.C., they’ll have OL Andrew Wylie helping to protect him. Wylie was a big-ticket signing in free agency, and the team also added C Nick Gates and OL Trent Scott for competition and/or depth.
It will be a tall order for the Commanders to make noise in the NFC East, as the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are the class of the division. Washington will likely end up battling the Giants for 3rd place, which last season still meant a trip to the postseason.
Below, we look at the Washington Commanders’ 2023 NFL Super Bowl odds from FanDuel Sportsbook along with projected win total, playoff, conference and division odds as we make our best NFL picks and predictions.
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2023 Washington Commanders schedule
| WK | DATE | OPPONENT | TIME |
| All times ET | |||
| 1 | Sept. 10 | vs. Cardinals | 1 p.m. |
| 2 | Sept. 17 | at Broncos | 4:25 p.m. |
| 3 | Sept. 24 | vs. Bills | 1 p.m. |
| 4 | Oct. 1 | at Eagles | 1 p.m. |
| 5 | Oct. 5 (Th) | vs. Bears | 8:15 p.m. |
| 6 | Oct. 15 | at Falcons | 1 p.m. |
| 7 | Oct. 22 | at Giants | 1 p.m. |
| 8 | Oct. 29 | vs. Eagles | 1 p.m. |
| 9 | Nov. 5 | at Patriots | 1 p.m. |
| 10 | Nov. 12 | at Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. |
| 11 | Nov. 19 | vs. Giants | 1 p.m. |
| 12 | Nov. 23 (Th) | at Cowboys | 4:30 p.m. |
| 13 | Dec. 3 | vs. Dolphins | 1 p.m. |
| 14 | BYE WEEK | ||
| 15 | Dec. 17 | at Rams | 4:05 p.m. |
| 16 | Dec. 24 | at Jets | 1 p.m. |
| 17 | Dec. 31 | vs. 49ers | 1 p.m. |
| 18 | Jan. 6 or 7 | vs. Cowboys | TBD |
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Commanders over/under win total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook – last updated May 17 at 3:53 a.m. ET; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list.
- 6.5 wins: (Over: -122 | Under: +100)
With their schedule, the Commanders can really get off to a quick start. That’s assuming Howell is the real deal, and he doesn’t stumble out of the gate. The former UNC signal caller is expected to take the reins of the offense as QB Taylor Heinicke is now in Atlanta.
If Howell does falter, Brissett can still lead this team to a productive season. WR Jahan Dotson was solid last season (523 receiving yards, 7 TDs), and WRs Terry McLaurin (1,191 receiving yards, 5 TDs) and Curtis Samuel (656, 4) are dangerous options in the offense. RB Brian Robinson Jr. (797 rushing yards, 2 TDs) also proved to be a valuable piece of the offense once he debuted last fall, with RB Antonio Gibson (546, 3) also factoring in.
On defense, DE Chase Young is reportedly on the block after the team declined his 5th-year option. However, if he is back, coupling with DT Jonathan Allen, DT Daron Payne and DE Montez Sweat, this can be a really good defensive line. LB Cody Barton was brought in to bolster the linebackers, and DE Efe Obada was added for depth.
Washington actually allowed 1 fewer point (343) than the Eagles last season, and the Commanders allowed the 3rd-fewest points in the NFC (the 49ers were 1st, allowing just 277 points).
Playing OVER 6.5 WINS (-122) is a strong play. Washington won 8 games a season ago and it should easily be able to go 7-10 at the least. There is a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, although it will be a struggle to avoid the basement. Last season, no team in the NFC East finished below .500. There’s no reason to believe that cannot happen again.
Commanders Super Bowl odds
- +6000 (bet $100 to win $6,000)
It’s going to be a challenge just for the Commanders to make the postseason. It came up just short last season, and making the playoffs would be a major win. This isn’t a championship-caliber team just yet.
Washington has to see what it has in Howell, and Brissett is a fallback option. While Scary Terry (McLaurin), Samuel and Dotson are a nice cadre of receivers, it remains to be seen if either can be a constant home run hitter and an All-Pro. They’re nice players, but they’re not superstars.
The same holds true on defense as the team has a very good, competitive unit. But can Washington lean into the defense for a championship run? It’s doubtful.
At +6000, Washington has an implied probability of winning the Super Bowl of 1.64% or 60/1 fractional odds.
The Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans have the longest odds at +18000.
PASS on a Washington Super Bowl bet.
Will the Commanders make the playoffs?
- Yes +300 | No -400
It’s very tempting to take a flier on Washington to make the playoffs for a chance to triple up.
Washington missed out on the playoffs by just a single game last season, and the schedule sets up early on for a quick start. We’ll know before the leaves start to turn whether the Commanders are going to have a strong season or not.
I like the offense a lot as the pass game can be very effective with a trio of receivers, along with a pair of serviceable tailbacks.
The defense is outstanding, too. Is this going to be a team capable of double-digit wins? No. But is it super hard to fathom a playoff run? Definitely not.
The NFC East’s 3rd-place team made the playoffs last season, and the Commanders could easily get themselves into that situation.
YES (+300) is worth a roll of the dice.
Odds to win NFC East Division
- Eagles +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Cowboys +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
- Giants +600 (bet $100 to win $600)
- Commanders +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000)
The Commanders have a good shot at making the postseason, but it isn’t going to be by winning the NFC East. Unless disaster strikes the Eagles and the Cowboys, the Commanders are unlikely to win the division. Even then, Washington still has the Giants to contend with.
Philadelphia, which lost to Kansas City in the Super Bowl, won 14 regular-season games last season, while Dallas was 12-5. These 2 teams are the cream of the crop.
Washington went 2-3-1 inside the NFC East last season, which was better than the Giants (1-4-1). But going just 4-5 at home … that’s something the Commanders need to rectify.
PASS on a Washington division title bet.
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Commanders odds to win NFC
- +3000 (bet $100 to win $3,000)
The Commanders are tied with the Carolina Panthers with the 4th-longest odds to represent the NFC at Super Bowl 57. The books aren’t high on Washington to make a Super Bowl run, and neither am I.
The division rival Eagles (+330) are the top team in the NFC, and the 49ers (+350), the Commanders’ Week 17 opponent, has the 2nd-shortest odds. The Cowboys (+600) are also right there. It drops off quite a bit after these 3 squads..
Washington will have a hard enough time making the postseason. A deep run isn’t likely, even if it is able to qualify. The Commanders aren’t a Super Bowl caliber team, and is likely years away from being thought as such.
AVOID.
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