Why Commanders need to get off to hot start in 2023

The biggest key for Washington will be getting off to a fast start. With first-year starter Sam Howell likely at the QB helm, the Commanders can't afford to be in an early season hole, or people will quickly question Howell's status as well as head coach Ron Rivera's.

The Commanders' first two games of the season are winnable ones, at home against Arizona and then at Denver. Both of those teams missed the playoffs last season. Then, after two tough matchups against Buffalo and at Philadelphia, they get a three-game winnable stretch of Chicago (home), Atlanta (away) and the Giants (away).

Ideally, Washington goes 5-2 in those first seven games; 4-3 or even 3-4 are also probably salvageable, but 2-5 or worse probably means the Commanders are in for a long season.

Making things tougher is the fact that the Commanders have struggled in September and October under Rivera. Last year, they were 3-4 after seven games (and were 1-4 after five). In both 2020 and 2021, they were 2-5 at that point in the season.

Patience is always important when you have a young signal caller. However, looking at Washington's matchups for the back half of the season, it may not have the opportunity to turn things around. The Commanders play six 2022 playoff teams in their final eight games, with the other two against the refueled Rams and Aaron Rodgers' Jets.

If the Commanders start slow, it may spell the end of the Rivera era while setting back Howell's career before it can even get started. If they come out of the gates firing on all cylinders, though, bright things could be in their future.