WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
2022 Record - 8-8-1
Head Coach - Ron Rivera
Offensive Rank - 20th (330 YPG); Scoring - 24th (18.9 PPG)
Defensive Rank - 3rd (305 YPG); Scoring - 7th (20.2 PPG)
The Commanders will look to Sam Howell to be the starting quarterback this season. Howell was a rookie and had 169 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception in one game last year. Jacoby Brissett, who had 2,608 passing yards, 12 TD, six INT and 243 rushing yards, 5.0 yards per carry and two touchdowns with Cleveland last season, is the backup. Brian Robinson, Jr. (797, 3.9 YPC, two TD) and Antonio Gibson (546, 3.7, three TD and 46 receptions, 353 yards, two TD) are the primary running backs. The wide receivers are Terry McLaurin (77, 1,191, five TD), Curtis Samuel (64, 656, four TD) and Jahan Dotson (35, 523, seven TD). Logan Thomas is the tight end and he had 39 receptions for 323 yards and one score last year.
The defense features Daron Payne (11 1/2 QB sacks) and Montez Sweat (eight sacks) up front along with Jonathan Allen and Chase Young. The linebackers are Jamin Davis (104 tackles), Cody Barton and David Mayo. In the defensive backfield, the safeties are Darrick Forest (four interceptions) and Kamren Curl while Kendall Fuller (three picks) and either rookie Emmanuel Forbes (Mississippi State) or Benjamin St-Juste are the corners. Jartavius Martin, another rookie (Illinois), will look to provide depth in the secondary along with Danny Johnson, Jeremy Reaves and Percy Butler.
OUTLOOK FOR 2023 - Washington was in playoff contention for most of last season, but fell off in the final five weeks as the offense struggled. Head Coach Ron Rivera is going with second year player Sam Howell at quarterback this year. The offense has some weapons and the hope is that Howell will be a quick learner if the teams wants to have success, otherwise veteran Jacoby Brissett may have to step in.
The Commanders are playing in 2023 under new ownership after controversial boss Daniel Snyder sold the team this off-season. The team showed some promise last season and Rivera is entering his fourth season at the helm and would like to see them go further. The playoffs could be a reach, but in the modern day NFL, teams can make it happen in a hurry when no one expects it.
The key will be the offense stepping up in the rugged NFC East, which had three playoff teams in 2022 with the Commanders finishing in last place, but with a break even record. If they can get some breaks and play strong defense as they did last year (third best defense in NFL and 4th against the pass) they will probably be in most games. The likelihood is a step back this year as they build toward the future with a young quarterback taking over.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Arizona
Week Two - at Denver
Week Three - vs. Buffalo
Week Four - at Philadelphia
Week Five - vs. Chicago
Week Six - at Atlanta
Week Seven - at N.Y. Giants
Week Eight - vs. Philadelphia
Week Nine - at New England
Week Ten - at Seattle
Week Eleven - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Twelve - at Dallas
Week Thirteen - vs. Miami
Week Fourteen - BYE
Week Fifteen - at L.A. Rams
Week Sixteen - at N.Y. Jets
Week Seventeen - vs. San Francisco
Week Eighteen - vs. Dallas
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