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Washington Post (paywall)
What NFL writers and analysts predict for the Commanders this season
Few analysts expect Washington to repeat last year’s run to the NFC championship, but Jayden Daniels receives some votes for MVP.
Before Thursday’s Eagles-Cowboys game, ESPN’s Football Power Index metric gave Washington a 28.7 percent chance to win the NFC East and a 54.3 percent chance to make the playoffs, with 9.1 projected wins.Seth Walder boldly predicts the Commanders, with an aging defense and a weak pash rush, will finish below .5oo. Bill Barnwell predicts Washington will miss
the playoffs. (The veterans in the Commanders’ locker room apparently aren’t concerned about the external noise, including preseason expectations and predictions, affecting second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. “They’re not really worried about me coming in and talking about what was said on ESPN,” Daniels said this week. “I don’t really care.”)
Four of USA Today’s six analysts predict Washington will make the playoffs. Nick Brinkerhoff picks the Commanders to win the division and represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, where they will fall to the Ravens. Daniels is Brinkerhoff’s MVP and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is his assistant coach of the year.
Conor Orr predicted all 272 regular season games and has the Commanders finishing 10-7 after a 6-0 start. “I built in a red-hot start for the Commanders before a bit of a slide once they reach six wins,” Orr writes. Only six of 10 MMQB analysts pick Washington to make the playoffs, and no one predicts the Commanders will return to the NFC championship game. Orr’s bold prediction: Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt gains more than 1,000 all-purpose yards. Daniels is Matt Verderame’s pick for MVP.
Washington Post (paywall)
The bar has been raised for the Commanders. They say they’re ready to leap.
The Commanders will play at least five games in prime time, starting in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers on a Thursday night. They’ll have the NFL spotlight to themselves when they play in Madrid, against the Miami Dolphins, and on Christmas Day, against the Dallas Cowboys. Sunday’s opener against the Giants is an announced sellout. And Northwest Stadium, where seats were once removed because of dwindling demand, is actually being expanded, with roughly 1,500 seats returning to use this season.
While all of that translates to better vibes than in years past, players have been quick to emphasize the distinction between the external and internal.
The expectations outside the locker room, be it MVP talk for Daniels or Super Bowl prognostications about the team, all qualify as outside noise. The internal expectations between players and coaches around practice, preparation, recovery, discipline — that’s what matters.
ESPN
NFL Week 1 picks, predictions, schedule, odds, fantasy tips
What we’re hearing on the Giants: The Giants lost a lot last season, including both matchups with the Commanders by a total of eight points. That gave Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels bragging rights over his former college teammate and best friend, Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers. It didn’t sit well with Nabers, who is tired of all the losing. “I was like, ‘Enough is enough,'” Nabers said. “‘I’m coming to get you.'” He and the Giants have a chance at redemption in Week 1. — Jordan Raanan
What we’re hearing on the Commanders: The Commanders know they’re facing a front seven that, as offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said, is “as challenging as we’ll face.” The Giants sacked Daniels five times in their first meeting but none in the second, while allowing a combined 364 rushing yards in the two games. “A lot of guys want to get their hands on them fast and that’s where they take advantage of you. They want to rush the passer,” said TE John Bates, one of the league’s best blockers, about the Giants’ defensive line. “I won’t say they’re the most want-to-be-physical type guys, so you have to have a base and have your feet underneath you and be poised.” — John Keim
Stat to know: Russell Wilson will make his 200th NFL start in Week 1, becoming the 16th quarterback in NFL history to do so. Only one other QB has made his 200th start in Week 1 of a season, and that player also made his 200th start in a Giants uniform: Eli Manning in 2017. — ESPN Research
Fantasy nugget: The Commanders gave up 4.8 yards per carry on 490 attempts last season, the fourth-worst mark in the league, so Washington will likely load the box to slow Tyrone Tracy Jr. and the Giants’ running game. That could open up vertical shots for Nabers, even if CB Marshon Lattimore shadows him. Lattimore hasn’t been as consistent or healthy in recent years, so Nabers’ big-play ability and the Giants’ pass-first lean should position him for ample targets and a monster game. See Week 1 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: When the Commanders won both matchups against the Giants in 2024 (going 2-0 ATS), it was their first time covering in both meetings since 2012. Read more. — ESPN Research
Maldonado’s pick: Commanders 23, Giants 17
Moody’s pick: Commanders 21, Giants 20
Walder’s pick: Commanders 24, Giants 17
FPI prediction: WSH, 68% (by an average of 7 points)
ESPN
Don’t be surprised if Austin Ekeler is the Commanders RB to count on
The Commanders underutilized Ekeler in his first season with the franchise, and not just in the passing game. He averaged 4.8 yards per rush and showed burst when healthy. Most everyone presumes the Brian Robinson Jr. trade to the San Francisco 49ers was about getting rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt more touches. Perhaps, but Ekeler warrants more volume, too, and he can be a three-down back. Give bulkier Chris Rodriguez Jr. the short-yardage stuff. Croskey-Merritt is far from safe Sunday against the New York Giants, and not because the Commanders list him fourth on the depth chart. Pay no attention to team depth charts.
In fact, August fantasy draft darling Croskey-Merritt may watch much of Sunday’s game and become free agent material in many leagues by Wednesday, creating a value opportunity. This situation remains fluid, but Washington doesn’t have to force the rookie into double-digit touches initially. Ekeler scored 28.8 points in two games versus the Giants last season. Expect at least five receptions and ample touches this Sunday.
Commanders.com
3 keys to Washington taking down New York
Stop the run.
The Commanders were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season when it came to stopping the run. They were tied for the third-highest yards allowed per rush and the third-most rushing yards overall. The Commanders signed multiple players in the offseason to remedy that issue, but the Giants will certainly try to test that on Sunday.
The Giants weren’t the most effective rushing offense last season, but they have some pieces in the backfield that could hurt the Commanders’ front. Tyrone Tracy Jr. emerged as their primary rusher last season, and while he didn’t have overly impressive days against the Commanders, he did have three 100-yard games in the middle of the season. He was also a difficult runner to bring down, as 546 of his 839 rushing yards came after contact. They added another battering ram to their backfield with Cam Scattebo, who had the third-most yards after contact among FBS running backs.
The Commanders went with an aggregate approach to improving their ground defense, rather than spending all their cap space on one stalwart. Players like Eddie Goldman, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Jacob Martin aren’t household names, but they are better at setting edges and clogging up run lanes than the options they had last year.
The Giants have other ways to move the ball downfield, most notably wide receiver Malik Nabers, but it would provide a confidence boost in the Commanders’ defense, both in terms of winning Week 1 and performing better in the season overall.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders’ OL uncertainty places added pressure on Tyler Biadasz in Week 1
Sam Cosmi is still working his way back from a torn ACL. Quinn is encouraged by his progress, but the former Texas star will miss the first four games and possibly more. That leaves Nick Allegretti and potentially even Andrew Wylie to fill the void, which could become a weak link quickly if they aren’t up to the required standard.
Things are a little more promising on the left-hand side after Brandon Coleman recovered from his summer injury. Even so, he’s a second-year player embarking on his first season as an NFL guard, making some growing pains possible.
This won’t go unnoticed by [Giants DT Dexter] Lawrence. He’s the league’s most dominant game-wrecking nose tackle who’s given the Commanders huge issues in recent years. With the guard positions coming into the game with questions to answer, it piles the pressure on Biadasz to provide a firm anchor and make things a lot easier for Coleman or Allegretti.
Lawrence cannot be covered one-on-one. That’s almost impossible. Biadasz knows that, having gone up against him every year since entering the league as a fourth-round pick in 2020. These adversaries know each other extremely well, which only adds to the level of fascination during what promises to be a pulsating encounter between two bitter division rivals at Northwest Stadium.
Commanders Wire
Commanders rookie CB Trey Amos is ready for challenge of facing Malik Nabers
Giants receiver Malik Nabers enjoyed a fantastic rookie season in 2024, collecting 109 receptions for 1,204 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. How does Amos feel about the challenge of trying to defend/cover Nabers?
“You know, Malik is a great athlete, a great receiver. (It’s) always going to be the whole 11, just going and playing with great confidence, just going out there and playing ball.”
“He has great ball skills, great releases, I really can’t say any weaknesses he has. We just got to go out there, go compete, believe in our strategy.”
Podcasts & videos
Jayden Daniels’ ATTACK PLAN For Giants DEFEAT | Commanders vs Russell Wilson Revenge Game
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Bleeding Green Nation
Ben VanSumeren injury: Eagles fullback out for season [UPDATE]
It took mere seconds before the Eagles lost one of their players to injury against the Cowboys.
Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren suffered a torn patellar tendon on Thursday night, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter. His season is over. Very unfortunate news. The Eagles officially placed BVS on injured reserve to make room to sign Za’Darius Smith to the roster.
Bleeding Green Nation
Za’Darius Smith, Eagles agree to one-year contract
Philadelphia has a new pass rusher!
The Philadelphia Eagles are signing free agent edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to a one-year contract, according to an official announcement by the team. NFL insider Jordan Schultz says the deal has “upside to $9 million.”
Smith, who turns 33 years old on September 8, is a three-time Pro Bowler who has played for the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and Detroit Lions before landing in Philly.
Bleeding Green Nation
Eagles vs. Cowboys: 14 winners, 7 losers, and 5 IDKs
Sometimes, “a win is a win” feels like a cope.
In this case, though, the Philadelphia Eagles should feel legitimately happy after their Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Regardless of how they got it done, they did, and that’s what matters most this early in the season. Especially when it originally felt like things might spiral out of control after Jalen Carter got ejected before even playing a snap and the Cowboys immediately marched down the field for a touchdown.
The 2025 Eagles are far from a finished product. There are definitely some concerns leaving their first game. But there are also plenty of things to feel good about.
ADOREE’ JACKSON
Jackson clearly isn’t the answer at CB2.
That much was already apparent entering Week 1. Jackson did not have a good offseason. He did not win the starting cornerback competition as much as he merely didn’t lose it as badly as Kelee Ringo did.
With Ringo relegated to special teams duty, Jakorian Bennett figures to get the next crack at starting. When? Honestly, it should be as early as Week 2.
Bennett can’t be much worse than Jackson, who was assigned responsibility for five receptions and 103 yards on Thursday night. The Cowboys made it a point to go after the 29-year-old veteran early and often.
Jackson didn’t just struggle in coverage; he was also a liability in run defense.
THE EAGLES’ COLLECTIVE PASS RUSH
The Eagles’ defense generated zero sacks and one quarterback hit while going up against a Cowboys offensive line that entered this season with multiple question marks. That’s not good enough.
And so it’s no surprise to see that the Eagles signed veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to help out this unit.
Blogging the Boys
Stats don’t tell the story in Cowboys’ loss to Eagles
When Saquon Barkley went off for 167 yards last December against the Cowboys, that’s about all you needed to know. But in other games, the stats can be very deceiving. In the aftermath of Dallas’ season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, you really do have to look beyond these numbers to understand how this one unfolded.
On the surface, Dak Prescott only threw for 188 yards and no scores while CeeDee Lamb had seven catches for 110 yards. Superficially, you could assume that Prescott had a rough night and Lamb was the only thing keeping Dallas afloat. But if you watched, you know that was hardly the case.
The ball was where it needed to be on almost every throw, but his receivers were not finishing the plays. Prescott looked healthy and like the 2023 MVP runner-up again. In most games, it was more than enough for the Cowboys to be competitive. Even on Thursday night against the champs, they were in it right to the end.
The real problem was the receivers, and particularly #88. His solid fantasy stats aside, Lamb’s most impactful contribution was four game-killing drops. The last one was the most forgivable; a desperation heave on fourth down that Lamb had to lay out to try to catch. But before that, he bobbled a deep shot that hit him right in the sweet spot and another that would’ve converted a 3rd-and-10. Nothing about those drops was due to the quality of the pass or even a great defensive play; it was just a bad night.
Big Blue View
Report: CB Cor’Dale Flott projected to start
Dan Duggan of The Athletic is reporting that Cor’Dale Flott is projected to start against the Washington Commanders, with Deonte Banks coming onto the field on third downs.
In his report, Duggan cites the time Banks lost to an unspecified injury in camp — as well as his inconsistent play — as the deciding factor in how the two will be deployed to start the season. Banks flashed improvement in camp and when on the field in preseason. He has all the physical and athletic traits to be a good cornerback in the NFL and is good at forcing tight window receptions. However, he remains inconsistent at the catch-point and struggles to locate the ball when the situation allows.
Banks’ effort has been questioned in the past, as well as more recent criticisms of his maturity.
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Packers listing Micah Parsons as questionable to face Lions
Parsons said Thursday that he finished the steroid treatment on his back that he began before the trade and that he planned to hold off on getting an injection, if possible.
Parsons said he would leave it up to the coaches to determine what role, if any, he has in Week 1.
