Washington Commanders will win the NFC East over Jalen Hurts’ Eagles and Dak Prescott’s Cowboys, predicts NFL expert

Kevin Wildes believes that the Commanders can keep pace with the Eagles.

Washington Commanders will win the NFC East over Jalen Hurts’ Eagles and Dak Prescott’s Cowboys, predicts NFL expert

(L) Ron Rivera and (R) Kevin Wildes (Image credit NJ.com/ Variety)

Can the change in ownership lead to a change of fortune for the Washington Commanders? Kevin Wildes definitely believes that a new head can uplift the atmosphere in the locker room. He also predicts that the players will feel the impact the most as a new era begins in the capital city.

“I know we are not making our picks until August, but Commanders win,” said Wildes during a recent segment of FOX Sports First Things First. The Sportscaster is adamant that the Washington franchise will enter the new season with renewed vigor.

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Well, they need to better last year’s tally, to say the least. After the 8-8-1 season in 2022, which averages an over/under of 6.5 wins, it suggests a small decline this year. They won just twice in the NFC East (2-3-1) and had a 5-6-1 record in the NFC overall.

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But Wildes believes that Ron Rivera’s squad has the capability of not just bettering the previous year but winning the NFC. They will face tough competition from the Eagles and the Cowboys, but Wilde is sticking to his predictions. “I know they can’t beat the Philadelphia Eagles, but Commanders, I believe in you,” he said. In the 2022–23 session, both teams faced each other twice, each winning one game.

They have managed to keep a similar squad as last term, adding a few key players like quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears wide receiver Byron Pringle. Moreover, the 2023 NFL Draft saw the arrival of highly-rated first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes. However, the Commanders have the eighth-toughest fixture in the league (considering their opponents’ combined win total from last year). According to several analysts, the NFC is one of the weakest in recent times. So the Commanders can take the driver’s seat.

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Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera feeling the impact of the new regime

Commanders will win the NFC East over Jalen Hurts’ Eagles and Dak Prescott’s Cowboys, predicts NFL expert Ron Rivera
Ron Rivera speaks with the media in Ashburn (Image credit Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports)

Change in owners is part of football, but when that happens due to a world record fee, it turns a few heads. Former owner Dan Snyder sold the franchise to native businessman Josh Harris and his group for $6 billion.

Coach Ron Rivera has been part of the Washington Commanders setup since 2020. So he knows a thing or two about the ins and outs of the locker room. After the takeover, expectations have gone through the roof. The coach has a front-row seat.

“You can already feel the impact,” Rivera told ESPN. “Our guys have also felt it. It’s kind of unique.” But for the feeling to last longer, the 61-year-old has to deliver positive results in 2023. Maybe going back to the roots?

“I’ve got a lot to prove. We’re a good young team with veterans at key positions,” he said. They haven’t had a winning season since 2016. They came close to the playoffs in Rivera’s first season but did not make it.“We’ve been close. It’s time to prove that I’m the right guy to help this organization,” he added. They will begin their 2023 NFL journey against the Arizona Cardinals on September 10.

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