Commanders open season on road against Buccaneers, play two prime-time games

The Washington Commanders open the 2024 season in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers on Sept. 8.

The NFL unveiled the full 2024 schedule on Wednesday night with a three-hour television special as the league continues its quest to dominate all 12 months of the sports calendar.

Washington’s 2024 campaign features a divisional prime-time game, a trip to Baltimore for a Beltway battle and six different opponents who made the playoffs last season.

The Commanders won’t play on any major holidays in a schedule that includes two prime-time matchups: an away tilt at the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football on Sept. 23 and a Nov. 14 game at the Philadelphia Eagles on “Thursday Night Football”.

Washington’s divisional matchups begin in Week 2 when the New York Giants come to the newly renamed Commanders Field for the home opener. 

Fans will likely circle the six divisional matchups against the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys. Washington hasn’t won the NFC East since 2020, but the division hasn’t seen a repeat champion since 2004.

Coach Dan Quinn’s squad will visit the New York Giants on Nov. 3 before traveling to Philadelphia to play the Eagles on Nov. 14.
The run of division opponents continues when the Commanders host the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 20.

Quinn is familiar with Washington’s biggest rival after spending the last three seasons as Dallas’ defensive coordinator.

The Commanders’ divisional slate wraps up with a matchup against the Eagles on Dec. 22 and the season finale in Dallas. This marks the third straight season that the Commanders will play the Cowboys in their final game.

Some of Washington’s intradivision competitions will also catch fans’ eyes as potential “revenge games.” The Commanders venture to Atlanta on Dec. 29 for a bout against the Falcons and their new signal-caller: former Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins. Quinn also led Atlanta to a Super Bowl appearance during the 2016 season.

The Commanders then travel to Arizona on Sept. 29 to face the Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray. Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was formerly the coach in Arizona and led the team to one playoff berth before he was fired at the end of the 2022 season.

Chicago quarterback Caleb Willams and Washington signal caller Jayden Daniels are forever linked as the top two picks in this year’s draft. The pair could face each other on the field for the first time when the Bears visit Commanders field on Oct. 27.

Washington won’t have to travel far for a Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens and reigning MVP Lamar Jackson. Daniels has said he modeled his game after the three-time Pro Bowler. Now the rookie will square off against his role model on Oct. 13.

The Commanders will also host the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 6, the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 20, and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 10.

Washington’s remaining away slate includes a trip to New Orleans to play the Saints on Dec. 15.

The Commanders will wait until Week 14 for their bye week for the third consecutive season.

Based on last year’s standings, the Commanders rank 16th in strength of schedule. Washington will face eight 2023 playoff teams in 2024.

Quinn and company will benefit from an easy travel schedule this season. The Commanders were left out of the NFL’s international plans in 2024, leaving the team with the fewest miles to travel this year.

According to the team’s website, the Commanders will travel just 10,550 miles this season. For comparison, the Los Angeles Chargers will spend the most time in the air with 27,000 miles.

The NFL season kicks off on Sept. 5 when the Ravens visit the Super Bowl champion Chiefs in a rematch of last season’s AFC title game.