5 bold Washington Commanders predictions vs. the Titans in Week 13

Pressure is building on the Washington Commanders. That's what comes when expectations increase - something head coach Dan Quinn must navigate effectively against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13.

The Commanders are on a three-game losing run. Confidence is rapidly disintegrating among the media about this team's chances in 2024. Postseason dreams are hanging by a thread, so picking up a priceless home victory before the bye week is essential.

This is not the sure-fire success it appeared once upon a time. The Titans are a dangerous outfit playing with the freedom normally associated with teams fighting for very little. Their defense can cause untold issues when in the mood, so the Commanders must bounce back positively to get their campaign back on track.

One positive is the unaltered mindset in the locker room. This is a cohesive squad who are still pulling in the same direction. They are striving with everything to put things right. But this is a new experience for many in the group after going through significant issues during the Ron Rivera years.

With that being said, here are five bold predictions for the Commanders in Week 13 at Northwest Stadium.

Bold predictions for the Commanders in Week 13 vs. Titans

Jeremy McNichols gains 75+ rushing yards

When the Washington Commanders' run game is firing on all cylinders, they are a very difficult offense to stop. Unfortunately, this backfield unit hasn't been nearly as influential over the last month and the entire team is suffering as a result.

Things look even more complicated this weekend. Austin Ekeler won't feature as he goes through the NFL's concussion protocol. Brian Robinson Jr. might suit up, but he's nowhere close to 100 percent thanks to an ankle sprain.

This puts unheralded veteran Jeremy McNichols firmly under the spotlight. The free-agent signing this offseason is averaging 4.9 yards per carry during limited involvement this season. Washington might need more from him in Week 13. He must deliver.

If McNichols can ensure the offense remains balanced and keeps Tennessee's defensive unit honest, that'll be all the Commanders are looking for. Washington's offensive line must also play its part, but opportunities should be there to have the best output of the campaign by a considerable margin.

Commanders defense secures five sacks

The Tennessee Titans are starting to see progress from quarterback Will Levis. It's far from perfect where the second-year quarterback is concerned, but he's getting better at bouncing back and moving on swiftly from one play to the next.

Putting Levis under extreme pressure is essential for the Washington Commanders this weekend. Specifically, finding ways to generate pressure consistently and either forcing sacks or turnover opportunities.

Levis does get flustered under pressure. His pocket navigation needs work and the Titans are giving up 3.7 sacks per game this season on average. The Commanders' defensive front seven should be relishing the prospect of making a substantial impact on proceedings in this one.

If the Commanders can get around the five-sack mark in Week 13, that should be enough for Levis to regress after his encouraging effort to beat the Houston Texans. Whether defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. has enough at his disposal to accomplish this feat is another matter.

Terry McLaurin gains 150 receiving yards

The Commanders need to get Terry McLaurin more involved. Aside from his mind-blowing play to almost send the game into overtime against the Dallas Cowboys, the Pro Bowl wide receiver was on the fringes. That has to change if Washington wants to get out of its current slump.

McLaurin remains the team's most dependable pass-catcher. Others have struggled to get involved or find the consistency needed. Kliff Kingsbury must recognize this fact and get the former third-round pick into the game plan early and often versus the Tennessee Titans.

When the Commanders' offense was in their best rhythm this season, McLaurin was the focal point. Having a stable running game played a leading role in their success, but that isn't guaranteed this weekend with Austin Ekeler missing and Brian Robinson Jr. not at 100 percent. Leaning on the Ohio State product heavily is the most profitable avenue.

The wideout lives for the big occasion. McLaurin's experienced almost nothing but losing since being drafted, so he won't want the Commanders to squander the opportunity in front of them. Expect a big day from the player this weekend.

Jayden Daniels throws three touchdowns

Jayden Daniels is coming under increasing scrutiny. The rookie quarterback's sensational start to the campaign has tailed off dramatically. His performance versus the Dallas Cowboys was arguably the worst of his professional career so far.

There's hesitancy where once there was nothing but conviction. The timing seems off with his playmakers despite returning to practice fully after a rib issue. Nobody is pressing the panic button just yet, but this would be a good time for Daniels to remind the world why he was shoo-in to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year once upon a time.

Daniels needs to dig deep and show the correct resolve. He needs help from everyone around him on offense. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury needs to be aggressive immediately in pursuit of making things happen.

The Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU has the skills needed to spearhead the Commanders into contention once the options around him improve. Until then, Daniels must take on the primary responsibility as Washington's running attack deals with injury issues.

Throwing three touchdown passes would be a good place to start.

Commanders win by 10+ points

This wouldn't have been a bold prediction just a few short weeks ago. Commanders fans saw this fixture as one they could easily get a result from. That's not the case anymore.

It's funny how quickly things can change. The Commanders went from an NFC East title favorite to a borderline playoff team in the blink of an eye. Losing three straight will do that, so head coach Dan Quinn and his players must respond accordingly before their long-awaited bye week.

The Titans won't be doing them any favors. They have a new sense of relaxation and are progressing encouragingly. Their shocking win over the Houston Texans in Week 12 will only raise confidence in the pursuit of knocking off another major scalp.

All the pressure is on Washington, make no mistake about that. They're in a high-stakes situation and the team's margin for error has evaporated. Nothing but improved conviction and collective purpose will suffice.

If everyone executes their assignments and the Commanders start well, they have more than enough to get the job done comfortably.

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