NFL Odds 2022: New Name But More Of Same For Commanders?
Carson Wentz will try to save D.C. from NFL purgatory
Editor’s note: Tune in to the “Ultimate Betting Show” on NESN on Monday at 5:30 p.m. ET for NFL training camp previews. Next up: the Washington Commanders
The professional football team in Washington, D.C., is on its third name since 2019, meaning the Commanders officially have more combined monikers in the last four years than they have playoff appearances in the last 10 years.
That’s a fitting way to sum up the Daniel Snyder era thus far (well, on the field, at least). And as the 2022 season approaches, the Commanders look poised for more of the same in an otherwise winnable NFC East: OK, certainly not great and unlikely to reach the playoffs.
Carson Wentz takes over as quarterback, adding even more question marks to the franchise’s ongoing QB carousel. Will the former No. 1 pick live up to the laughably high price taken to acquire him? Or are the Commanders destined for another seven-win season?
Here’s what bettors need to know about the 2022 Washington Commanders.
2021 In Review
7-10, third in NFC East
8-9-1 against the spread
7-10 over/under
Key offseason additions
QB Carson Wentz
OG Andrew Norwell
WR Jahan Dotson
RB Brian Robinson
Key departures
OG Brandon Scherff
OG Ereck Flowers
S Landon Collins
DT Tim Settle
DT Matt Ioannidis
Look ahead to 2022
Super Bowl: +7000
Conference: +3500
Division: +500
Win total: 8 (-110 each way)
To make playoffs: Yes +150, No -185
2022 award contenders
MVP: Carson Wentz +10000
Coach of the Year: Ron Rivera +2800
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jahon Dotson +2500
Defensive Player of the Year: Chase Young +2000
2022 outlook
Wentz finished third in MVP voting in his second season, leading the NFL in QBR with Philadelphia. He hasn’t been the same since suffering a knee injury that ended his season that year. He’s the obvious key to this entire thing, though, and when he’s given time to throw, he can be effective; his sack percentage fell from 10.3% in his final season with Philly to 5.8% last season with Indianapolis, and his QBR jumped 13 points. It’s a revamped offensive line in D.C., but if they can hit the ground running, there’s a chance this offense could be undervalued. Wentz has plenty of weapons, highlighted by Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Dotson, the first-round pick.
The defense has a sky-high ceiling, but early injury issues with Young — who could be great value to win DPOY at 20-1 — need to be monitored. It’s in line with the entire team, though: If all breaks right, the Commanders will contend for the division. But there are a lot of question marks and uncertainty that could have them in the Jeff Fisher zone yet again.
