A full changing of the guard is set to play out in the nation’s capital as the Washington Commanders have completely overhauled their organization following the conclusion of the 2023-24 NFL betting season. The first major move was firing the entire coaching staff, marking the end of the disappointing Ron Rivera era. Stepping in is Dan Quinn, the former Cowboys defensive coordinator, who will resume his head coaching career after previously leading the Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl. He will be joined by Kliff Kingsbury as the offensive coordinator and Joe Whitt Jr. calling the defensive plays. The new staff inherits a team that managed only four wins last season, securing the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft. This pick was used to draft Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels from LSU. Given Daniels' rookie status, it’s uncertain what he will bring to the table, leading oddsmakers to set the Commanders' win total at 6.5, a full game lower than last year's target of 7.5. New GM Adam Peters has made several moves to improve the previously unbalanced roster, but Washington enters the season as one of the biggest unknowns in the league. This uncertainty makes it challenging to confidently take a stance on their win total odds at the online sportsbook.
NFL Regular Season Wins Odds
Washington Commanders 2024-25 Regular Season Win Total Odds
Commanders Over 6.5 Wins -117
Commanders Under 6.5 Wins -103
A Case for the Over: The offensive makeup for the Commanders is pretty solid in my opinion. Terry McLaurin stands out as one of the premier pass-catching wide receivers in the game. Since nearly reaching the 1,000-yard mark in his rookie season, the now five-year veteran has amassed a total of 378 receptions, 5,283 yards, and 25 touchdowns. Last season, he was the offense’s most consistent performer and the only offensive player, aside from the since-traded Sam Howell, to participate in all 17 games. Additionally, RB Brian Robinson made a significant impact last year, accumulating over 1,100 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns. He also contributed in the passing game with 36 receptions for 368 yards. Given this, it’s puzzling why upper management felt the need to add the quickly regressing Austin Ekeler to the roster. These two playmakers will nicely complement Jayden Daniels, whose dual-threat ability should mesh well with a retooled offensive line featuring G Nick Allegretti and C Tyler Biadasz shoring up the interior. The pieces are in place for Kingsbury to work with, but whether this translates to consistent success and points hitting the board remains to be seen.
A Case for the Under: It was horrifyingly remarkable to see the Commanders regress from the unit that looked to be one of the nastier up and coming defenses in the league just a few short seasons ago. No team surrendered more yards (388.9 YPG) or points (30.5 PPG) than Washington’s 2023-24 defense. Things deteriorated further after Chase Young and Montez Sweat were traded by the deadline. Given this context, it made perfect sense to bring in a defensive mind like Quinn’s, as the defense needed help across all facets. Upper management addressed this by drafting Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton and Michigan CB Mike Sainristil, but expecting rookies to immediately bolster run and pass defenses that allowed 126.8 and 262.2 yards per game, respectively, is a tall order. Although several veteran free agents were also signed, the defense will heavily rely on newly acquired linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner to set the tone and prevent the unit from being as porous as it was last season. Drastic improvements are essential on this side of the ball if the Commanders are to compete within the division and have any chance of exceeding their win total at the online sportsbook.
2024-25 Washington Commanders Schedule
The opportunity is ripe for the Commanders to get off to a fast start with games against the Buccaneers on the road and the Giants at home. A 2-0 start would significantly boost their chances of surpassing the current 6.5-game win total. However, the schedule takes a brutal turn over the following month with matchups against the @Bengals, @Cardinals, Browns, and @Ravens. The overall schedule includes games against the NFC South, AFC North, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, and Tennessee Titans, with the latter two being home games at Commanders Field. According to Sharp Football Analysis, their schedule strength is the second easiest within the division and thirteenth easiest overall. Tentatively, ten of their 17 games will be played at 1 p.m. ET, with only two primetime games scheduled. This could change if the Commanders exceed expectations. Based on current betting odds, Washington will be favored in three games and involved in eight coin-flip games with NFL spreads of 3 points or less. This suggests that oddsmakers might be underestimating the team’s potential for the season. I’ve been a fan of the talent on this team for several years. Here’s hoping that the new coaching staff can finally unlock it.
NFL Win Total Prediction: Washington Commanders Over 6.5 Wins.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
Check out the latest odds at BookMaker
