The 2023 NFL season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for the Washington Commanders. As they approach Week 6, the Commanders find themselves in a situation where their season hangs in the balance. With a record of 2-3, they face an uphill battle in an inconsistent NFC East division and a parity-driven NFC conference.
Washington’s upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons could very well determine the trajectory of their season.
The Commanders entered the 2023 season with optimism. Led by second-year quarterback Sam Howell – signaling a change in philosophy from starting previous veteran signal callers, new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, and boasting an even better promising young defense, expectations were high. However, Washington’s season has been marred by inconsistency and missed opportunities.
Over the first five weeks of the season, the Commanders have shown flashes of potential but have struggled to put together a complete game. Their two wins came against the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos, both of which are considered weaker opponents. Losses to the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and last week’s debacle against the Chicago Bears, exposed the team’s vulnerabilities, both offensively and defensively.
Why is Week 6 such a pivotal moment for the Commanders?
The matchup against the Falcons is pivotal on many levels and could have NFC playoff implications down the line.
The Commanders division (NFC East) has long been known for its unpredictability, and the 2023 season is no exception. The Eagles currently lead the division with an unblemished 5-0 record, while the Dallas Cowboys (3-2) and New York Giants (1-4) have been dealing with their own turmoil and doubts seeping into conversations. The Commanders, at 2-3, cannot afford to fall further behind and lose ground in the division and conference standings, making the Week 6 matchup against Atlanta a must-win game.
The Falcons enter the game with a surprising 3-2 record. They play a brand of physical football and play hard for head coach Arthur Smith. Atlanta has done what many thought Washington needed to do and that’s win the games on your schedule you are supposed to if you want to be a playoff-caliber team.
The Falcons have beaten the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and last week defeated the Houston Texans. Those three teams have a combined record this season of 4-11. Atlanta’s two losses were against playoff teams from last season, the Detroit Lions (4-1) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2). Those two losses were in consecutive weeks and both games were on the road. The Falcons have taken care of business at home with a 3-0 mark.
For Washington to have any success Sunday, their defense, which was expected to be the team’s strength and has struggled to contain high-powered offenses, will need to step up and make key stops, while the offense, must find a way to put points on the board.
While the season has had its share of setbacks, there is still hope for the Commanders to turn things around. The team must harness their potential, minimize mistakes, and find a way to win against an opponent that’s hungry for continued success.
The Commanders have the talent and resilience to salvage their season, but the path ahead won’t be easy. Players need to perform better and coaches need to put their players in better positions to be more productive.
While speaking with team media coach Ron Rivera acknowledged the many missed opportunities in last week’s loss to Chicago.
“I think probably some of the things that surprised us was just the missed opportunities,” Rivera said. “You know, you go back and one of the things that we looked at obviously was the third down. You know, I was looking at third down and just the opportunities we had on both sides of the ball. Not just on the defense or on the offense, but on both sides of the ball. We could’ve done some things better and things that would’ve sustained drives for us on offense and things that would’ve gotten us off the field immediately on defense.”
All eyes will be watching closely to see if Washington can rise to the occasion, minimize mistakes, capitalize on their opportunities, and keep their season from the brink of disaster.