After a turbulent offseason, the Washington Commanders are embarking on a journey into the unknown. Adam Peters and his team gave this once proud franchise a chance to become more competitive this season by decimating the roster left behind by former head coach Ron Rivera. Dan Quinn and his team have made a positive impression so far, but the test of fire is soon upon us.
With the 2024 season starting in just a few days, Washington’s improved infrastructure and playing personnel offer hope for success in the first year of a monumental rebuild, but anyone expecting everything to go smoothly is mistaken.
Quinn wants to make the most of his second chance as head coach and remind the world why he is such a highly respected leader. It would be extremely disappointing if the Commanders did not make immediate progress under the new regime. At the same time, from a fan perspective, it would be wise to temper expectations until we get a good look at the football product in the first few weeks of the season, which look difficult.
The excitement among the team’s long-suffering fans is palpable, and some dark clouds have lifted from the organization. With that in mind, here are our final game predictions for the 2024 season.
Commanders at Buccaneers – Week 1
The Washington Commanders face three road games in their first four games to start the season. While that’s not ideal, it should give Dan Quinn and his team a solid gauge of where this squad stands and what it could potentially accomplish in 2024.
First up are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have decided to go with the running backs who helped them win the NFC South last time. Baker Mayfield was paid handsomely after reviving his career, but he won’t have Dave Canales to guide him on the right path after becoming head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
Prediction: Defeat (0-1)
Tampa Bay is strong at almost every position, so this promises to be a tough task for the Commanders right from the start. They’re not without a chance, but it’s hard to predict anything other than a Buccaneers win given how familiar they are after making few changes this season.
Commanders vs. NY Giants – Week 2
The Washington Commanders begin their home games with a divisional battle against the New York Giants at the newly named Northwest Stadium after securing a major sponsorship deal. This is their chance to make a statement in the NFC East and prove they are no longer the doormat they were in years past.
New York made a lot of noise this offseason by signing edge rusher Brian Burns. They also have a dynamic young playmaker in wide receiver Malik Nabers, who was taken in the first round of the season. As always, their biggest potential obstacle is the unpredictable quarterback Daniel Jones.
Prediction: Victory (1-1)
This is a good opportunity for the Commanders to gain some early momentum and send their fans home happy. Anything else would be extremely disappointing and would give them an uphill battle for the rest of 2024.
