Three 'can't win' games for the 2024 Washington Commanders

Forget all the talk about “any given Sunday,” the Washington Commanders have no chance to win any of these three games in 2024.

Week 3 | at Cincinnati Bengals

Were this game not featured on "Monday Night Football," we’d give the Commanders a puncher’s chance in this one. But after missing seven games with a torn wrist ligament in 2023, Cincinnati's Joe Burrow, the NFL's second-best quarterback according to ESPN , sounds ready to make a statement in 2024.

“I’m going to give people something to talk about this year. I’m excited about it,” Burrow said during an appearance on " Pardon My Take ."

Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase should be even more excited. Averaging 1,239 yards and 9.6 touchdowns over three NFL seasons, the young receiver should have no trouble getting open against a Commanders secondary that allowed a league-high 262.2 yards per game last season.

Of course, only Washington gave up more yards per game (388.9) than Cincinnati (374.6) in 2023 but the Bengals allowed 7.9 fewer points per contest. That and home field should be all the Bengals need to get the win in front of a national audience.

Week 5 | vs. Cleveland Browns

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels had 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns through the air with another 1,134 yards and 10 scores on the ground for LSU last season.

There’s no reason to think the former Heisman winner won’t succeed in the NFL, but there’s less reason to think he’ll beat Cleveland in Week 4.

No team gave up fewer yards per game (270.2) than the Browns in 2023. Defensive end Myles Garrett was named AP Defensive Player of the Year and led the team with 14 sacks while teammates like Ogbo Okoronkwo, Za'Darius Smith and Alex Wright combined for another 15 sacks.

While the additions of Nick Allegretti and Tyler Biadasz should help the team’s offensive line, the Commanders allowed the second-most sacks (65) last season. The Giants gave up the most sacks (85) under offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, who’s now in charge of Washington’s offensive line. This one could be over early.

Week 8 | vs. Chicago Bears

Daniels was the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft behind USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who went to the Bears. Like Daniels, Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022, but unlike Washington’s new quarterback, he’ll play on a team loaded with offensive talent in 2024.

Wide receiver DJ Moore led Chicago with 1,364 yards and eight scores last season while new teammate Keenan Allen had 904 catches for 10,530 yards and 59 touchdowns in 11 seasons with the Chargers.

New running back D’Andre Swift finished as the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher with 1,049 yards in 2023 while tight end Cole Kmet had a career-high 719 yards for the Bears.

Right now, Washington simply can’t match Chicago’s firepower and as badly as Daniels may want to outshine Williams, it won’t happen in Week 8.