The 2024 season marks a new era for the Washington Commanders.
Ron Rivera was fired in January after winning just 26 of 67 games over four years with the team. Two months later, quarterback Sam Howell was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks after a disappointing tenure for him and Commanders bettors at VA sportsbooks.
In their place are former Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn and first-round draft pick Jayden Daniels, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner at LSU. How soon can they make a breakthrough in a division that features likely Super Bowl contenders in the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys?
We’ll start getting an answer in September, but BetVirginia.com has other questions about the Commanders. After the official 2024 NFL schedule release on Wednesday, we wanted to know what three-game stretch would be Washington’s toughest in the upcoming season.
Week | Opponent | Points |
10 | vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 |
11 | at Philadelphia Eagles | 8 |
12 | vs. Dallas Cowboys | 3 |
We came up with this chart using a points system. Points were assigned to each game of the 2024 Washington Commanders schedule based on the following formula:
The Commanders playoff chances look unlikely after a change at coach at quarterback. Howell completed his first year as a starter by leading the NFL in both interceptions thrown (21) and sacks taken (65) as Washington finished 4-13, last in the NFC East. The Commanders likely will still be coming together as the 2024-25 season starts. So perhaps it’s not a bad thing for them to get their most difficult stretch midway through the season. They’ll also get 10 days to prep for the Cowboys.
Like the Commanders, the Steelers have a few questions to answer. They made the playoffs last season but overhauled their quarterback room by bringing in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson is expected to start for now. Oddsmakers at Caesars Virginia Sportsbook aren’t sure about the Steelers this season. Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl odds are +4000, a middle-of-the-pack line. The Steelers’ win total was set at 8.5, with the under (-130) set as a slight favorite against the over (+110).
Washington will have games earlier in the season at Cincinnati and Baltimore, but their toughest test will likely take place Nov. 14 when they travel to Philly to play the Eagles. And it’s a Thursday night game, so the teams only have four days between contests.
BetMGM Virginia Sportsbook lists the Eagles at +1600 Super Bowl odds, the eighth choice on the futures board. At bet365, the Eagles and Cowboys are co-favorites to win the division at +120. The Commanders and Giants have odds of +1000 each to finish first in the NFC East.
Speaking of the Cowboys, the Commanders will end their three-game gauntlet by hosting their longtime rivals. Late November weather could play a factor, meaning it could be up to Daniels and Brian Robinson Jr. to use the ground game in sloppy conditions. DraftKings Virginia Sportsbook has the Cowboys as its eighth choice on the board. Dallas’ odds of +1700 are the same as the Eagles.
The Washington Commanders Super Bowl odds are not nearly as strong as either the Cowboys or Eagles. At Fanatics, the Commanders are at +13000, the same price as the Tennessee Titans. Only the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers have lower odds.
Fanatics oddsmakers have set the Commanders’ win total at 6.5 for the season, with the over a slight favorite (-120) against the under (even). As NFL season draws near, gather up the best Virginia sportsbook promos here at BetVirginia.com.
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
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