Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
We make our predictions for Week 2.
Can the Washington Commanders begin the Josh Harris era with a 2-0 record?
Washington travels to Denver to face the 0-1 Broncos on Sunday afternoon. The Broncos are looking to avoid falling to 0-2 in Sean Payton’s first year as head coach.
The Commanders survived the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 despite turning the ball over three times. Washington’s defense smothered the Cardinals, allowing only 210 total yards.
We make our picks for the Commanders and Broncos.
Our staff makes their Week 1 prediction for the Commanders and Cardinals.
The Washington Commanders host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday from FedEx Field to kick off the 2023 season.
The Commanders enter Sunday’s as a 7-point favorite. Why is Washington such an overwhelming favorite? Let’s just say that reflects more on the perception of the Arizona Cardinals than what everyone thinks of the Commanders.
Washington has a chance to be a good team in 2023 — a playoff team. But, as of now, there are a lot of unknowns. The biggest unknown is quarterback Sam Howell. If Howell is as good as Washington believes he can be, the Commanders are a playoff team.
Will Washington begin the 2023 season 1-0?
We offer our final predictions for Sunday’s game between the Cardinals and Commanders.
We made our predictions, did NFL.com agree?
How good can the Washington Commanders be in 2023? We know Washington has a difficult schedule, but it’s also favorable with extra rest in some stretches. Therefore, predicting a team’s win/loss record by each game can feel a bit pointless in May, but it’s still fun.
Commanders Wire predicted every game shortly after the schedule was released over two weeks ago. We arrived at an 8-9 record, which felt fair. The Commanders have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. For Washington to be more than an average team in 2023, it will need quarterback Sam Howell to prove he’s the guy, and new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy takes the offensive production up a level or two.
Washington’s 2023 team feels like it could win anywhere between 7-10 games.
Adam Rank of NFL.com recently weighed in on the Commanders’ 2023 schedule, predicting every game. He’s not high on Washington’s chances, predicting a 5-12 record. Let’s review each week to see where Rank saw the wins and losses.
Our predictions for the Week 18 game between the Commanders and Cowboys.
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Week 18 is finally here, and unfortunately for the Washington Commanders, it represents another meaningless season finale. Meanwhile, Washington’s opponent in Week 18, the Dallas Cowboys, are playing for a chance to win the NFC East and potentially come away with the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs.
Washington coaches, players, and fans will look back on the 2022 season, wondering what could have been. On No. 27, after a win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Commanders were 7-5 and looked to be in a great position to lock down one of the NFC’s final two playoff spots.
The Commanders haven’t won a game since and, with a loss to the Cowboys Sunday, would finish head coach Ron Rivera’s third consecutive season with seven wins.
We offer our final predictions for Sunday’s game between the Cowboys and Commanders.
We make our picks for the Commanders’ Week 3 game vs. the Eagles.
Can the Washington Commanders pull off the upset? The Commanders host the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday from FedEx Field in an all-important NFC East battle.
Heading into Sunday’s game, the Eagles are a touchdown favorite over the Commanders. Considering how things went for both teams in Week 2, the odds are no surprise.
These two rivals last played in January when the Eagles defeated Washington, 20-16, in a game more remembered for what happened afterward than the actual game.
Who wins?
There are reasons to be optimistic concerning Washington’s offense. But the Commanders cannot afford another start like the 22-0 deficit last week. Washington will move the ball on the Eagles. Wentz must avoid the big mistake, and considering this is an emotional game for him, that is a concern.
The Commanders’ defense is another story. There is no reason to believe they can limit Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown and Philly’s offense. It will not be a blowout, but the Eagles find a way to win.
Eagles 34, Commanders 27
Can the Commanders begin the season 2-0?
Can the Washington Commanders defeat the Detroit Lions to begin the season 2-0?
The Commanders began the Carson Wentz era last week with an explosive offense. Wentz passed for over 300 yards and four touchdowns while running back Antonio Gibson finished with 130 yards from scrimmage.
As for the Lions, they fell to the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35, in the season opener. Detroit’s defense struggled to slow down the Eagles, but running back D’Andre Swift had a huge game for the Lions.
Who wins?
If Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen plays for the Commanders, I feel better about their chances of winning. Outside of Allen, Washington has no serious injury concerns. While guard Wes Schweitzer could miss the game, the Commanders do have Trai Turner at right guard.
Defensively, Washington must slow down Swift. If Swift has another huge day, that makes life easier for Detroit quarterback Jared Goff.
The good news for the Commanders is they have enough weapons on offense to score a lot of points. So much depends on Wentz. He was a bit of a rollercoaster in Week 1 but overall played well. Detroit’s defense struggled in Week 1, which leads me to give the advantage to Washington.
Commanders 27, Lions 23
Washington Wire’s picks are in for the Week 17 game vs. Eagles.
Can the Washington Football Team overcome the odds and take down the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday?
The Eagles head into Week 17 favored over Washington, and the WFT’s latest bad luck involving COVID-19 isn’t helping their chances to end the current three-game slide.
In the previous Week 15 meeting, Washington jumped out to a 10-0 lead over Philadelphia before the Eagles tied the game before halftime. The Eagles dominated the second half en route to a 10-point victory, with Washington down numerous starters.
The biggest problem for Washington in Week 15 was its defense. The WFT will be thin at cornerback Sunday, meaning the defensive line must be better than it was two weeks ago.
Washington Wire makes its staff predictions for Week 17:
I would’ve gone with Washington if you had asked me this question about five days ago. Even with Landon Collins, J.D. McKissic and William Jackson III out, I believed Washington could move the ball on Philadelphia.
Now, Antonio Gibson, Sam Cosmi and Ereck Flowers are out. That crushes the running game. Yes, it helps Brandon Scherff is back, but he can’t do it alone. While Cornelius Lucas is better in pass protection than Cosmi right now, he isn’t the run blocker that Cosmi is.
The Eagles enter Week 17 healthy, outside of running back Miles Sanders. Therefore, I see the Eagles also winning the rematch.
Eagles 27, Washington 16
Washington will be without Antonio Gibson, Ereck Flowers, Sam Cosmi, and Tress Way, each on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Cornerback William Jackson III is out with a bad calf.
They might not get corner Darryl Roberts off of the COVID list.
Who in the world is available to play cornerback?
Flowers and Gibson will both be very much missed in the running game.
Philadelphia 24, Washington 10
Staff predictions for Washington vs. Cowboys in Week 16.
The Washington Football Team faces the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in a rematch from Week 14. The Cowboys won the first meeting, 27-20, after jumping out to a 24-0 lead at halftime.
What happens in the rematch?
Here are Washington Wire’s staff projections for Week 16.
Washington enters Sunday night without Landon Collins, Brandon Scherff, Cole Holcomb and William Jackson III, in addition to the others already on injured reserve. Against a team as talented as the Cowboys, that’s just too much to overcome.
While I don’t believe Washington starts as slowly as it did in Week 14, the Cowboys have a lot to play for, such as the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC.
Cowboys 30, Washington 20
In the last meeting of these two teams two weeks ago, the Dallas defensive front seven exhibited they are much more athletic and quicker than Washington could endure.
To be direct, it was ugly.
Washington must generate some sort of running game between the tackles.
Perhaps they should also attempt more first down safe, quick passes, seeking to avoid 3rd and longs they experienced two weeks ago.
Yet, injuries along the offensive line won’t help.
Dallas 20 Washington 10
We make our prediction for Washington’s Week 15 game vs. Eagles.
The Washington Football Team heads into Week 15 as the underdog against NFC East rival Philadelphia. That’s not a surprise considering Washington’s COVID-19 issues and injuries.
Washington had won four consecutive games to even its record at 6-6 before last week’s loss to the Cowboys. Washington held on to the NFC’s final playoff spot despite that loss. Washington is once again on the outside looking in after the Saints and Vikings both won in Week 15. However, a Washington win would put the WFT back into the final playoff spot.
So, who wins?
Here are the Washington Wire staff predictions for the WFT’s Week 15 game at Philadelphia.
Garrett Gilbert will start at quarterback for Washington after Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen failed to clear COVID-19 protocols. Uh oh. Backing up Gilbert will be Kyle Shurmur.
Add in Brandon Scherff’s loss on Monday; the running game will take a hit. It will be difficult for Washington’s offense to move the ball. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner will keep things basic for Gilbert.
There is just too much uncertainty around Washington right now. While the game will remain competitive, the well-rested Eagles pick up a crucial division win.
Eagles 23, Washington 13
Predicting the outcome of this game reminds us of our human limitations. For instance, I don’t even know who the Washington quarterbacks will be at this time.
So I am more clueless than I usually am.
Glad to see some guys have been removed from the COVID-19 list and will be available tonight.
But the thought of having to play a guy, at quarterback of all positions, who has yet to take a snap for you?
It leaves me to wonder how much offense can they actually generate?
Eagles 20, Washington 10
Here are Washington Wire’s staff projects for Sunday’s Week 13 game vs. Raiders.
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Can Washington make it four wins in a row Sunday when they face the Las Vegas Raiders? Sure, but traveling across the country on a short week, in addition to missing multiple key players, makes it a difficult task.
Washington enters Sunday’s game without RB J.D. McKissic, G Wes Schweitzer, and Landon Collins. That’s in addition to starters such as Sam Cosmi, Chase Roullier, Chase Young and Montez Sweat, all on injured reserve.
Left guard Ereck Flowers, a critical part of Washington’s success running the football, is questionable with a foot injury. Washington can’t afford to lose Flowers.
Despite the WFT dealing with so many injuries, they’ve played their best football of the season over the past month. The defense hasn’t allowed 300 total yards in four of the past five games while running back Antonio Gibson has looked like a different player. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke has played three outstanding games in a row, and you add these all together; it’s a recipe for success.
So, does Washington win Sunday? It’s time for Washington Wire’s staff predictions:
There’s a part of me that says Washington’s win streak comes to an end Sunday. The team is dealing with far too many injuries and a lack of rest. But, Washington’s recent strengths align perfectly with some of the Raiders’ defensive weaknesses, leading me to believe Washington should be able to run the football successfully. If that happens, Washington wins a close one.
I’m saying it happens.
Washington 20, Raiders 17
Missing Landon Collins, Wes Schweitzer and especially J D McKissic will be very difficult on Washington. Ereck Flowers is trying to recover as is center Tyler Larson.
In addition a new kicker, and playing on the road …
Finally, the Raiders have so much more rest, having last played Thursday, Nov. 25.
Washington played this past Monday, Nov 29, so it is a short week, and they are the ones in this matchup having to travel?
Thanks to the team of schedule makers at the NFL.
I fear all this might be too much to overcome.
Raiders 26, Washington 20
