With 10 games officially in the rearview mirror, it’s time for the first 2023 Washington Commanders report card. I wrote a detailed preseason article to predict the results of every game on Washington’s schedule this season. On the heels of a heartbreaking loss to Seattle, it’s important to take a step back and revisit the preseason expectations for this team. With the exception of one unexpected letdown, the Commanders have played almost exactly as predicted.
Opening the season against two of the NFL’s weakest teams was a blessing and a curse. The hollow 2-0 record left an unsatisfied taste in many mouths, but wins are wins. Josh Dobbs and Russell Wilson made things interesting and forced late-game heroics from Sam Howell in both games. With an upcoming two-game gauntlet on the horizon, the first two weeks were enough of a test to somehow feel relieved, optimistic, and uneasy all at the same time.
The losses were predictable, but the scores were not. Buffalo obliterated Washington in every aspect of the football game, bringing any remaining optimists back down to Earth after the first two wins. The team responded well to the embarrassment, nearly knocking off an elite Eagles team in overtime on the road. If only one or two plays had gone the other way, the overall sentiment in D.C. could be in a very different place today. Inconsistency prevents the Commanders from receiving a better grade for this stretch.
This was one of the most shocking performances of the last few seasons. After a promising showing against the Eagles, many fans expected Washington to keep the momentum rolling in primetime against a winless Bears team. Instead, Chicago jumped to a 17-0 lead in the first 12 minutes and a 27-3 lead at halftime. With a chance to move above .500, this loss was extremely disappointing and set the tone for another middling Rivera season.
The Commanders were destined to win exactly one of these two road games against below-average opponents. That’s just what they do. Howell won the sophomore QB battle over Desmond Ridder, but failed to score double-digit points against a Giants team led by Tyrod Taylor. Well-rounded, well-coached teams should take care of business and win both of these games. Washington is currently neither of those things.
This three-game slate was more informative than any other stretch of the season. It transpired precisely as predicted, but the 1-2 record could have just as easily been 0-3 or 3-0. All three games were within one possession, and both losses came on the final drive of the fourth quarter. The Commanders have reached the point where they’re competitive in almost every game. Minor tweaks in clock management and late-game decision-making could make all the difference moving forward.
A 4-6 record at this point of the season feels like a disappointment. With the team sitting under .500 again, in Rivera’s fourth straight season, fans are justifiably frustrated and anxious for change in the nation’s capital. That change is likely to come soon. That being said, grades need to be based on preseason expectations, not emotions. The Commanders have won one less game than expected and sit two games out of the seventh-place wildcard spot. Given their talent on the field and in the headsets, it’s probably right where they belong. On the bright side: Washington has found its franchise quarterback and has the resources to build around him for the future.