The 2023 NFL Schedule was released about 3 weeks ago, and if you’re anything like me it was a celebratory event. The Washington Commanders kick off the 2023 season on September 10th vs. Arizona Cardinals and conclude the regular season vs. Dallas Cowboys on January 7th. With a scheduled release, there are some pros and cons with the schedule. The pros of the 2023 schedule are there is NO HOME Monday Night Football Games this year, & Opening the season & closing the season at Home. The cons of the 2023 schedule are, Week 14 Bye Week (The Commanders had a week 14 bye week last season and finished 1-3 after the bye) & a Thursday night matchup vs the Bears (Rematch of last year’s 12-6 win, what a snooze fest, sorry America). There are 5 games on the schedule that are must watch and I will be on DND mode (so don’t text or call me) & so should you, here are my top 5 Commanders Games to watch during the 2023 Season (Warning: This list will be NFC EAST opponents heavy):
Before I give you my Top 5 (You know I can never narrow a Top 5 list) here are some games on the 2023 season that get an Honorable Mention:
Commanders @ Patriots, Week 9 (Nov 5th)
-As America turns back the clock on November 5th (Daylight Savings Time), the Commanders will also try to turn back the time. The last time the Commanders won in Foxboro was October 13th, 1996, as QB Gus Frerotte (Yes I said that) led the team to a win. I’m curious what Patriot QB (Zappe or Jones) will the Commanders face on a fall afternoon in Foxboro.
Commanders vs. 49ers, Week 17 (Dec 31st)
- Championship contender San Francisco 49ers head east to face the Commanders on New Year’s Eve. For the Commanders this game will potentially have some playoff implications & will show if the Commanders can play toe to toe with a contender. The Commanders will also try to avenge last year’s 37-20 loss in Santa Clara on Christmas Eve. There is a storyline in this game of note as Trent Williams (Drafted by the Redskins in 2010) returns to Fed EX Field for the 1st time since being traded in 2020.
5) Commanders @ Eagles, Week 4 (Oct 1st)
- The Commanders head up 95 North to face the NFC East and NFC Champions Philadelphia Eagles. This will be the first time that the Commanders play the Eagles in the month of October (Eagles come to Fed Ex field on Oct 29th). The key factors to watch are, Can the Commanders' Offensive line keep Sam Howell upright (Eagles amassed 12 QB Sacks in the 2 matchups vs. the Commanders last year) & can the Commanders stop the Eagles' Running Game? Many look at this matchup as David vs Goliath, as the Eagles have retooled and added depth at many positions. The Commanders shocked the NFL World last year with a 32-21 win to end the Eagles' eight-game winning streak. Can the Commanders duplicate the same success last year in Philly?
4) Giants @ Commanders, Week 11 (Nov 19th)
- The Commanders face another NFC East Foe in the NY Giants. After last year’s heartbreaking primetime matchup where the Commanders lost 20-12 (Giants and Commanders played to a 20-20 Tie 2 weeks prior to this matchup), the Commanders look to avenge this loss. The key factors to watch in this matchup are, can the Commanders' offensive line can contain Kayvon Thibodeaux (who scored on a fumble recovery and had 1 sack in last year’s loss) and can the Commanders keep Daniel Jones in the pocket to limit his big play ability using his legs (Jones has a 5-1-1 record vs. the Commanders in his career). This game will definitely live up to the hype and will likely be a game that can shake up the NFC East standings.
3) Bills @ Commanders, Week 3 (Sept 24th)
-The Commanders head back home after facing the Broncos (Sept 17th) on the road to face the Buffalo Bills. The Bills will be entering this game as heavy favorites and are contenders to make it to a Super Bowl. This will be the first true test of the season for the Commanders. The key factors to watch in this match-up are: will the Commanders' defense show up and pressure Josh Allen, & will the Commanders' young secondary contain the Bills' Wide receiver core (Diggs, Davis), and will the Bills Fans bring their tables to jump on in Maryland, Stay Tuned. The Commanders were in a similar position 2 years ago as they lost to the Bills 43-21 in Orchard Park. Hopefully, history will be on their side as the last time the Bills traveled to Washington they lost 35-25 (Dec 20th, 2015).
2) Commanders @ Cowboys, Week 12 (Nov 23rd)
-Cowboys vs Commanders on Thanksgiving is just as American as apple pie, The Commanders head down to Texas to face their bitter rival. The rivalry will be present at every family’s dinner table as we all prepare to devour some turkey. The key factors to watch are, Can Sam Howell continue his winning streak vs. Dallas (Howell made his 1st career start in a 26-6 win over the Cowboys in the 2022 season finale), and can the Commanders contain Micah Parsons who makes an impact on every single snap. The last time the Commanders faced the Cowboys on Thanksgiving was in 2020 as the Commanders won 41-16.
1) Cowboys @ Commanders, Week 18 (Jan 7th)
Obviously, either Cowboy’s matchups can be slotted 1,2, but the reason why this is the #1 game to watch is that it’s the season finale and this game can have huge playoff implications for both teams. I envision the Commanders in the thick of the playoff race to the point that this game can be a win or go home for this squad. In a game of this nature this game will come down to the trenches and who will have the stamina to finish to the very end, and can the Commanders force turnovers? This has a December 30, 2012 feel (Where the Commanders won 28-18 to win the NFC East and a berth in the Playoffs), but more like who wins this game could grab the final wildcard spot in the NFC, Stay Tuned.
These were the Top 5 plus 2 Honorable mention games that will have the biggest impact on how the season will play out. There are 10 other matchups that weren’t mentioned, but they all are key matchups that will shape the Commander's Season! Here is the full schedule below:
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