Commanders Game-by-Game Schedule Prediction: Can Washington Contend in NFC East?

The Washington Commanders' schedule is out. How many games will they win this season?

With the 2023 schedule officially released, predicting how teams will finish prior to Week 1 is commonplace across the NFL. 

Here's a glance at the Washington Commanders 2023 schedule:

Week 1 vs. Cardinals - September 10th, 1:00 p.m.

The Arizona Cardinals were a mess last season, and despite hiring new head coach Jonathan Gannon this will still be a rough season for Kyler Murray and company. Expect Washington to open its season with a home win. 

Record: 1-0

Week 2 @ Broncos - September 17th, 4:25 p.m. 

The Russell Wilson experiment did not pan out exactly how fans expected, finishing 2022 dead last in the AFC West. However, travelling to the Mile High City is never easy for the road team and the Denver Broncos will be much improved in 2023. 

Record: 1-1

Week 3 vs. Bills - September 24th, 1:00 p.m. 

The Buffalo Bills should once again contend for an AFC title with Josh Allen behind center. Washington does have the benefit of playing at home, but the Bills' offensive firepower will likely be too much to handle. 

Record: 1-2

Week 4 @ Eagles - October 1st, 1:00 p.m. 

The Commanders open it's divisional slate with a team coming off a Super Bowl appearance a season ago. The Philadelphia Eagles do bring in a lot of new pieces that will take a few weeks to get comfortable. With that in mind, I could see the Commanders stealing a road victory in week four. 

Record: 2-2

Week 5 vs. Bears - October 5th, 8:15 p.m. 

A matchup between young quarterbacks Justin Fields and Sam Howell headlines Thursday Night Football in week five. Chicago drafted some much needed protection for Fields in the first round of the NFL Draft, but the Washington defense will still be too much. 

Record: 3-2

Week 6 @ Falcons - October 15th, 1:00 p.m.

After 10 days off, the Commanders travel on the road to take on a much improved Atlanta Falcons team in aother battle between quarterbacks looking to make names for themselves. While the matchup between Howell and Desmond Ridder will be the storyline, Atlanta's revamped roster will outlast Washington. 

Record: 3-3

Week 7 @ Giants - October 22nd, 1:00 p.m. 

In Washington's first of three back-to-back road series they take on Daniel Jones and the New York Giants. After signing running back Saquon Barkley to a $10.9 franchise tag, New York is looking to follow-up its playoff appearance a season ago and is simply the better team in this matchup. 

Record: 3-4

Week 8 vs. Eagles - October 29th, 1:00 p.m.

In their final matchup of the year, Philadelphia is getting its feet under them and geared for another deep playoff run. Washington will chalk up another loss in week 10 in front of its home fans. 

Record: 3-5

Week 9 @ Patriots - November 5th, 1:00 p.m.

The Patriots had one of the more quiet offseasons across the NFL, with their biggest splash coming in the form of new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. Mac Jones is in a make or break year, and this home loss will not help his case.

Record: 4-5

Week 10 @ Seahawks - November 12th, 4:25 p.m. 

The Seattle Seahawks will surprise a lot of people this year. With quarterback and reigning Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith locked in to a three-year $105 million deal and an improved defense, Seattle has a strong case to contend in the NFC West and will be a tough battle for the Commanders. 

Record: 4-6

Week 11 vs. Giants - November 19th, 1:00 p.m. 

Despite defeating Washington in their first matchup, there's reason to believe this will be a season split. I'll give the nod to the Commanders in front of their home fans.

Record: 5-6

Week 12 @ Cowboys - November 23rd, 4:30 p.m. 

In a Thanksgiving and NFC East test, the Commanders have the pleasure of getting a deep season version of this talented Dallas Cowboys team. Following a 12-5 campaign, there's a good chance Dallas contends for an NFC East title once again. 

Record: 5-7

Week 13 vs. Dolphins - December 3rd, 1:00 p.m. 

Following up-and-down 2022 campaign, the Miami Dolphins have a ton of belief in their ability to contend with the Bills in the AFC East and acquiring cornerback Jalen Ramsey will certainly help their case. However, Washington will head into their bye week with momentum. 

Record: 6-7

Week 14 - BYE

Week 15 - @ Rams - December 17th, 1:00 p.m. 

The Los Angeles Rams followed up their 2021 Super Bowl win with a 5-12 campaign in 2022. Injuries played a big role in that, with quarterback Matt Stafford going down midway through the year, but losing Ramsey to the Dolphins only weakens this defense further. 

Record: 7-7

Week 16 @ Jets - December 24th, 1:00 p.m.

This stretch of the season is where Washington will lose any hope of reaching the playoffs. Facing off against Aaron Rodgers towards the end of the year on the road simply couldn't be a worse scenario. 

Record: 7-8

Week 17 vs. San Francisco 49ers - December 31st, 1:00 p.m. 

Despite losing longtime quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the Las Vegas Raiders, this is still a team with Mr. Irrelevant turned starter Brock Purdy and a ton of talent on both sides of the football. Not to mention, Purdy will be fully healed by this point of the year. 

Record: 7-9

Week 18 vs. Cowboys - TBD

The Commanders close their season with a home matchup against the Cowboys. The race between Dallas and Philadelphia for the divisional crown will likely come down to the final week of the season and why they will sweep Washington in the season series.

Final Record: 7-10

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