How did the NFL determine the Washington Commanders 2022 Opponents?

The Washington Commanders have good reason to look forward to the 2022 NFL Schedule, being released Thursday, May 12.

Also, for those wondering how the NFL determines the list of opponents each season for Washington, I assure you the list of opponents is nothing random. Nor is there any subjective element in the opponents Washington is assigned. So, a little later, I will explain the NFL formula for determining one’s opponents each NFL season.

Perhaps the most significant difference in 2022 is Washington will not be battling the brutal list of starting quarterbacks it faced in 2021. If you’ve forgotten, Washington last season had to face NFC East division rivals Dak Prescott (twice), Daniel Jones (twice) and Jalen Hurts (twice).

Then in order, Washington had to face Justin Herbert, Josh Allen, Matt Ryan, Jameis Winston, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Teddy Bridgewater, Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Derek Carr.

Why were the opposing quarterbacks Washington had to face in 2021 so demanding? Washington had to face an NFC and AFC entire division (which they do each season). So in 2021, they faced the NFC South and AFC West.

Also, because Washington finished atop the NFC East in 2020, the Burgundy and Gold also had to face 2020 first-place finishers in the other two NFC divisions (Green Bay and Seattle) and an AFC division winner (Buffalo) for a 17th game.

Subsequently, the list of 2022 opponents has been determined since the conclusion of the 2021 regular season. As usual, Washington will face their three NFC East rivals the Eagles, Giants and Cowboys, playing each of them at home and away.

The Commanders will also line up against the AFC South division in 2022. Consequently, there will be home games against the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, and also road games against the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.

The Commanders will also face the NFC North division in 2022. Thus, home games will bring the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings to Fed Ex Field, while the Burgundy and Gold will travel to the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.

By way of the NFL scheduling formula, seeing Washington finished in 3rd place in the NFC East in 2021, they accordingly face 3rd place finishers in the NFC South (Atlanta at Fed Ex Field) and NFC West (San Francisco on the road).

The 17th game will be against an AFC 3rd place team the Cleveland Browns (at FedEx Field).

Wednesday: A closer look at the Washington Commanders 2022 regular-season opponents.