Final Score Predictions for Commanders vs. Raiders in Week 3: Can the Vegas bounce back against a potential Jayden Daniels-less football team?
The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off a loss to the Chargers, while the Commanders are coming off a loss to the Packers.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders are set to meet in Week 3. The last time both teams met was in 2021, when the Commanders were, well, not the Commanders, but the Washington Football Team. That game saw Washington win 17-15, and I’m sure they’ll want a similar result.
Washington lost to the Green Bay Packers last week, which saw Jayden Daniels leave with a knee sprain, and the Raiders lost to the Los Angeles Chargers, which saw Brock Bowers play with a knee injury. There are a lot of factors and variables going into this game, but it’s clear that both teams need to bounce back in Week 3. However, only one team can.
So, who’s coming out on top in this one? Some of our experts put together their final score predictions for this game.
Final Score Predictions for Commanders vs. Raiders
Regardless of who starts at QB for the Commanders, Kliff Kingsbury has to commit to running the ball again after giving Bill Croskey-Merritt only four carries last week. The Raiders have a top run defense, but can’t run the ball themselves, so they will turn to Geno Smith, throwing the ball a ton once again. If the Commanders can find a way to establish the run without Austin Ekeler, they can control the pace and help open up the passing game, finally. I see Smith being forced to do too much like he did against the Chargers, while Terry McLaurin has his breakout game, and the Commanders win 27-17 in a much-needed bounce-back win at home. Commanders 27, Raiders 17 – Josh Taylor, A to Z Sports Washington
This game seemed easy to predict, but then the news of Jayden Daniels’ missing Wednesday and Thursday’s practice complicates things. I personally am going to bet on Daniels playing in the end and the Commanders handing the Raiders pretty easily. If he doesn’t play, though, I think this one will end up being a one-score back-and-forth affair type of game. The Commanders are the more talented team at the end of the day. I think their offense will be too much for the Raiders’ defense to handle. If he’s out there, I’m expecting a big day from Daniels and the Commanders’ passing attack. Commanders 27, Raiders 16 – Destin Adams, A to Z Sports Indianapolis
This had the makings of a great game in Week 3, but now there is some serious doubt that the Commanders’ star QB Jayden Daniels will be able to go this week. If he somehow plays, that would likely swing my prediction, but for now, I’m rolling with Vegas. Last week was a stinker, but there is a chance the Chargers are one of the best teams in the league. Washington gave it to the Giants in Week 1, but they looked rudderless against the Baltimore Ravens. Without their best player, I don’t think much changes this week for the Commanders. Raiders 22, Commanders 17 – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Pittsburgh
The Raiders’ offensive line performance thus far this season is perhaps the biggest blockade that I have in picking them to defeat the Washington Commanders. The vibes out of Washington suggest we’ll see Marcus Mariota play, which opens the door for Geno Smith to put up enough points to win this game — but Las Vegas must be more balanced offensively in order to get the needed traction rolling and stay on schedule. Playing behind the sticks against Dan Quinn feels like asking for trouble. So, too, does a Washington game plan that asks Josh Conerly to block Maxx Crosby one-on-one. If the Raiders win this one, it will be courtesy of a splash play by Crosby and a better running performance than they’ve put on display thus far in 2025. Commanders 20, Raiders 16 – Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports Miami
I’m taking Washington in a tight one regardless of whether quarterback Jayden Daniels plays. Marcus Mariota is a quality backup, and the Raiders’ defense isn’t scaring anybody outside of defensive end Maxx Crosby. The Commanders are running the ball well and playing solid defense, so as long as they don’t beat themselves with turnovers and penalties, they’ll take of care of business. Las Vegas’ offense can move the ball a bit, but QB Geno Smith has already thrown four interceptions, and running back Ashton Jeanty has been slow out of the gate to begin his NFL career. Commanders 24, Raiders 20 – Nick Roesch, A to Z Sports Kansas City
The Las Vegas Raiders just looked weird on Monday Night Football. They didn’t have their full offensive line, Brock Bowers wasn’t healthy, and something looked off with Geno Smith. I’m thinking that, after that embarrassing loss, and with Jayden Daniels likely out, this is a game where the Raiders come in and take care of business. Now, don’t sleep on Washington with Marcus Mariota at QB. That’s a veteran QB who fits a similar playstyle to what Daniels does, so the offense can still be effective. But the Raiders’ defense looks better than even I thought it would. Raiders, 21, Commanders 17 – Justin Churchill, A to Z Sports Las Vegas
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