Offering some spice for your NFL Red Zone watching this afternoon
COMMANDERS GAME
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS at ARIZONA CARDINALS: The Commanders are currently first in the NFC East division standings. A win that gets them to 3-1 would guarantee that they stay there for at least two more weeks since the other 2-1 team, the Eagles, have a Week 5 bye. #RaiseHail
NFC EAST & DRAFT PICK WATCH
Per NFL Draft Rumors, Washington owns the following picks as a result of trades:
- 3rd round – Philadelphia (Jahan Dotson)
- 6th round – Saints (John Ridgeway)
- 7th round – 2 x Eagles (Jahan Dotson)
DALLAS COWBOYS at NEW YORK GIANTS: The Cowboys already beat the Giants on Thursday night. The Cowboys got bad news with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence now set to miss multiple weeks due to injury. This could affect the Cowboys’ ability to compete in some tough games (Steelers, Lions, Niners) over the next few weeks.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: We never need an excuse to root against Philly; however, seeing Eagles enter their Week 5 bye with a 2-2 record would be wonderful. Not only would it leave Washington at the top of the division standings, but the Eagles would take an NFC loss, and then have to wait 14 days until their next game. Oh yeah — every Philly loss improves Washington’s draft position on three picks (3rd round + 2 x 7th). Root for Tampa Bay.
NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
While a playoff berth may seem unlikely with Washington’s lack of defense to date, at this early stage of the season, it hasn’t been ruled out. In this section, we’ll consider the implications of game outcomes on a potential NFC wildcard race. If the Commanders keep winning, we may soon start thinking about a division championship and playoff seeding instead.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at DETROIT LIONS: Neither team plays Washington this season, and it’s hard to predict which is more likely to be in the wildcard race at the end of the season. With the many injuries to 49ers players, the Seahawks may have the easier road to a division title, which means that we want the Lions to accumulate losses. I’m gonna say to root for the Seahawks, but this is very nearly a pick’em.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at ATLANTA FALCONS: Washington plays both of these teams later in the season; thus, the Commanders have a chance to beat each and gain advantage in the wildcard race. Washington has already lost to Tampa Bay, so it’s preferable at this point for the Bucs to win the NFC South. A Saints loss improves Tampa’s chances of taking control of the division. Also, Washington owns the Saints’ 6th-round pick, which becomes more valuable with every New Orleans loss. Root for the Falcons.
CINCINNATI BENGALS at CAROLINA PANTHERS: Normally, we root for the AFC team in intra-conference matchups; however (1) the Panthers seem unlikely to be part of the NFC wildcard race; and (2) the Bengals are currently one of the NFL’s three winless teams. The more they lose, the more likely they are to have a top pick in the draft, which sends drafted talent to the AFC (where it’s less likely to hurt us) and keeps the Giants away from a top pick. Root for the Panthers.
LOS ANGELES RAMS at CHICAGO BEARS: Washington plays the Bears this season; the Rams are not on the schedule. In the 2025 draft seeding, Strength of Schedule is a key tie-breaker. We want the Bears to be bad. Let’s go Rams.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS at GREEN BAY PACKERS: If you think the Vikings have the wherewithal needed to hold on for the division win, then a loss for the Lions would be the best outcome for Commanders in a wildcard race. #SKOL.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: In an inter-conference matchup, the default position is to back the AFC team. Root for the Patriots.
AFC-only games (with 2025 draft tie-breaker implications)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Washington doesn’t play either team this season. I can’t really find a rational reason for Commanders fans to care about the outcome of this game. Pick’em.
BUFFALO BILLS at BALTIMORE RAVENS: Washington plays Baltimore in Week 6; the Bills are not on the Commanders schedule. A Buffalo win here helps Washington’s Strength of Schedule tie-breaker for the 2025 draft. #BillsMafia.
CLEVELAND BROWNS at LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: Washington plays the Browns in Week 5; the Raiders are not on the Commanders schedule. A Raiders win here helps Washington’s Strength of Schedule tie-breaker for the 2025 draft. Let’s go Raiders!
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at HOUSTON TEXANS: The Eagles own the Texans’ fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If Houston wins the AFC South, that pick is less valuable. As a bonus, every Jaguars loss makes it less likely that the Giants have the top pick in the 2025 draft. Go Texans.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: The Eagles own the Texans’ fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If Houston wins the AFC South, that pick is less valuable. Let’s get a loss for the Colts to shore up Houston’s position. #Steelers.
TENNESSEE TITANS at MIAMI DOLPHINS: Washington plays the Titans in Week 13; the Dolphins are not on the Commanders schedule. A Miami win here helps Washington’s Strength of Schedule tie-breaker for the 2025 draft. As a bonus, every Titans loss makes it less likely that the Giants have the top pick. Root for the Dolphins.
DENVER BRONCOS at NEW YORK JETS: Wouldn’t you enjoy seeing Bo Nix beat Aaron Rodgers in a Jets home game? Pick’em.