The Commanders are entering a new era in 2023, and it's not just about the team's quarterback position. It appears that Sam Howell will likely be entrusted as Washington's starter, but more importantly, the team's long-time owner Daniel Snyder will no longer be in charge of the franchise.
Snyder is preparing to sell the team to an investment group led by former 76ers owner Josh Harris, among others. This will create a new day for Washington and a fanbase that has long called for Snyder's ousting after years of failures on the field and scandals off it.
Now, they will get that. But what lies ahead for the team in the post-Snyder era is a bit unclear.
Ron Rivera's seat has gotten a bit warm as he has led the Commanders three consecutive seasons with just seven or eight wins. He will be looking to prove himself for the new ownership group in 2023 and will be enlisting in former Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to fix what has long been a lackluster offense.
Washington has made improvements during the 2023 offseason, but the team is still facing numerous questions about its quarterback, offensive line and direction beyond this season. Add in a difficult-looking schedule to the equation, and the Commanders could be in for a rough year.
But it will still be interesting to see what Rivera and Co. can do in 2023 in wake of what they were able to accomplish while dealing with Snyder's missteps in previous offseasons.
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Here is a complete breakdown of the Commanders’ 2023 schedule, including dates, start times and analysis for all 17 games.
Washington Commanders schedule 2023
Below is a look at the Commanders' full schedule for the 2023 NFL season:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 10 | vs. Cardinals | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 2 | Sept. 17 | at Broncos | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 3 | Sept. 24 | vs. Bills | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 4 | Oct. 1 | at Eagles | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 5 | Oct. 5 | vs. Bears (TNF) | 8:15 p.m. | Amazon Prime |
| 6 | Oct. 15 | at Falcons | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 7 | Oct. 22 | vs. Giants | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 8 | Oct. 29 | vs. Eagles | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 9 | Nov. 5 | at Patriots | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 10 | Nov. 12 | at Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 11 | Nov. 19 | at Giants | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 12 | Nov. 23 | at Cowboys (Thanksgiving) | 4:30 | CBS |
| 13 | Dec. 3 | vs. Dolphins | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 14 | BYE | |||
| 15 | Dec. 17 | at Rams | 4:05 p.m. | CBS |
| 16 | Dec. 24 | at Jets | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 17 | Dec. 31 | vs. 49ers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 18 | Jan. 6/7 | vs. Cowboys | TBA | TBA |
The Commanders are set to play a last-place schedule after finishing at the bottom of the loaded NFC East in 2022. They will also play their usual six-game divisional schedule while facing the entirety of the NFC West and AFC East as part of the NFL's rotating schedule.
In total, the Commanders are set to play 10 games against teams that made the playoffs last season. Six of those contests will come within the division, as the Eagles, Giants and Cowboys all qualified for the postseason last year, while the other four will be contests against the 49ers, Bills, Dolphins and Seahawks.
Commanders strength of schedule
The Commanders are set to have the sixth-hardest strength of schedule among NFL teams in 2023, per Sharp Football Analysis. This analysis is based on the projected win totals for each of Washington's opponents for the upcoming season rather than their record in 2023.
It isn't a surprise that the Commanders are facing this type of schedule. Their divisional opponents all made the playoffs last season and have addressed some of their weaknesses during the offseason. So, while Washington may be better equipped to face them the Commanders will still face a gauntlet of quality teams in 2023.
Even despite their tough divisional schedule last season, the Commanders actually had an easier schedule overall. As such, their uptick in competition could end up making it hard for them to live up to expectations, especially with a young, inexperienced quarterback expected to be the team's offensive leader.
MORE: Which NFL teams have the easiest, hardest strength of schedule in 2023?
Toughest tests: As mentioned, the Commanders play in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, so they will have to play two games each against the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants. Those contests won't prove easy for Washington, which posted a divisional record of just 2-3-1 last season.
Additionally, the Commanders will have to host the Bills and 49ers, two Super Bowl hopefuls that have made deep playoff runs in recent seasons. Those opponents won't be easy, and neither will their road games against the Jets, Patriots and Seahawks.
Biggest breaks: The Commanders don't have many schedule breaks, but they will play against the Cardinals at home during the 2023 season. Arizona is expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year, so Washington should have an advantage in that contest.
Aside from that, games on the road at Atlanta and Denver stand out as the most winnable games Washington has on its schedule. Still, neither of those will be cakewalks, especially the game in Denver. But perhaps if those fall at the right time in the schedule, the Commanders can take advantage of the easier-looking matchups.
NFL QB RANKINGS 2023: AFC | NFC
Bottom line: The Commanders posted a .500 record (8-8-1) in 2022 and were in the wild-card race until the penultimate week of the season, but it doesn't seem likely that the team will take a big step forward in 2023. They have fortified their defense, added some key blockers to their offensive line and hired Eric Bieniemy away from the Chiefs, but they are also set to start an unproven quarterback in Sam Howell.
Even if Howell pans out, he is likely to have some growing pains during the season. If Washington were facing an easy or average schedule, then the team might have a better chance to match or exceed its 2022 record.
However, because the Commanders are facing one of the league's toughest schedules, it's safer to assume that they will plateau a bit in 2023. And if Howell proves not to be the answer, then Washington will only go as far as Jacoby Brissett — owner of a career 18-30 record — can carry it.
All that said, it seems more likely that the Commanders will go under their season win total of 7.5 in 2023. They have a strong enough roster to avoid being one of the worst teams in the NFL, but six or seven wins is the most likely outcome for this team — barring a breakout season from Howell.
Record prediction: 7-10
