Washington 2021 schedule: Game-by-game score predictions

The NFL finally unveiled the 2021 regular-season schedule on Wednesday evening and the Washington Football Team certainly has a difficult road ahead to repeat as NFC East champions.

Washington won the NFC East with a 7-9 record in 2020 and has had a strong offseason adding players such as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, wide receiver Curtis Samuel and cornerback William Jackson III. The WFT also had a strong draft.

But will it be enough to earn a repeat trip to the playoffs?

Here is a look at every game on Washington’s 2021 schedule and we take our best guess at predicting the outcome of each game. Yes, it’s early, but it’s a fun look at how the WFT’s season could play out.

Week 1: Chargers at Washington — Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. ET

Score prediction: WFT 24, Chargers 21 The Chargers will be a tough out. New head coach Brandon Staley will immediately improve the defense, but fortunately for Washington, it gets the Chargers in the first game of Staley's tenure. The defense creates a couple of turnovers to help Fitzpatrick and the offense.

Week 2: Giants at Washington — Thursday, Sept. 16 at 8:20 p.m. ET

Score prediction: WFT 27, Giants 17 We are going to learn a lot about these division rivals early in the season. Both teams made huge moves in free agency and the draft to improve their offense. New York will be a lot better on offense this season, but Chase Young & Co. is too much for Daniel Jones.

Week 3: Washington at Bills — Sunday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. ET

Score prediction: Bills 21, WFT 14 Washington's defense is going to keep them in this game. But, unfortunately, it will not be enough to take down Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs. Fitzpatrick will run into some trouble with turnovers, which will cost the Football Team.

Week 4: Washington at Falcons — Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. ET

Score prediction: WFT 31, Falcons 20 Atlanta's offense is going to be fun in 2021. Adding Kyle Pitts to an offense with Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Matt Ryan will create headaches for the opposition. New coach Arthur Smith will improve Atlanta's running game, too. It's too bad the Falcons will still be bad on defense, as Washington picks up the win.

Week 5: Saints at Washington — Sunday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. ET

Score prediction: WFT 23, Saints 20 This game will come down to the wire. New Orleans is going to be different on offense without Drew Brees. But don't count out Jameis Winston. He is a good fit for the Saints and will move the ball. I expect this game to come down to the wire, with Washington picking up the win late.

Week 6: Chiefs at Washington – Sunday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. ET

Score prediction: Chiefs 34, WFT 24 I believe Washington sticks close to Kansas City in this one, but the Chiefs are just too much. As a result, the WFT drops their second game of the season.

Week 7: Washington at Packers — Sunday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. ET

Score prediction: Packers 28, WFT 20 Aaron Rodgers will be on the field for Green Bay — and that's the difference. Washington puts forth an impressive effort, but it is not enough to upset the Packers at Lambeau Field.

Week 8: Washington at Broncos — Sunday, Oct. 31 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Score prediction: WFT 17, Broncos 13 The Broncos are a lot like Washington. They have a deep, talented roster with questions at quarterback. Both teams could strike big with their respective quarterbacks in 2021, but you can't count on that actually happening. This one is a close defensive battle as Fitzpatrick leads a late game-winning drive to snap a two-game skid.

Week 9: BYE

Washington gets a much-needed bye week.

Week 10: Buccaneers at Washington — Sunday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. ET

Score prediction: Buccaneers 31, WFT 27 Much like the meeting on wild-card weekend, this one goes to the wire. The Buccaneers, behind Tom Brady, do just enough to pull this one out. Washington has an impressive day offensively, but the defense can't find an answer for all of Brady's talented receivers.

Week 11: Washington at Panthers — Sunday, Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. ET

Score prediction: WFT 21, Panthers 16 Washington coach Ron Rivera gets revenge on his old team with a close win. The Panthers embarrassed Washington last December behind a strong performance by wide receiver Curtis Samuel. Samuel is now a member of the Washington Football Team.

Week 12: Seahawks at Washington — Monday, Nov. 29 at 8:15 p.m. ET

Score prediction: WFT 24, Seahawks 23 This is one of the best games of the season as Washington takes down Seattle in a game that could be important for playoff reasons. WFT's defense frustrates Russell Wilson into a couple of turnovers, and the offense takes advantage.

Week 13: Washington at Raiders — Sunday, Dec. 5 at 4:05 p.m. ET

Score prediction: WFT 38, Raiders 24 West-coast trips are difficult. However, Washington is clearly the better team. The Raiders will eventually be better on defense with Gus Bradley now in charge of that unit, but it's not enough to slow down Fitzpatrick and Terry McLaurin.

Week 14: Cowboys at Washington — Sunday, Dec. 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Score prediction: WFT 31, Cowboys 21 Yes, Dak Prescott is back. But did you see what Washington did to Dallas on defense in 2020? It didn't matter if Prescott played or not. Dallas will obviously be better on offense with Prescott back, and the defense will take a step forward, but Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner knows how to attack the Cowboys.

Week 15: Washington at Eagles — Date and time TBD

Score prediction: WFT 28, Eagles 13 The Eagles will improve throughout the 2021 season with a new coaching staff. There is still talent on the roster. Washington is just much better right now, and it shows as the Football Team continues to rack up wins.

Week 16: Washington at Cowboys — Sunday, Dec. 26 at 8:20 p.m. ET

Score prediction: Cowboys 24, WFT 16 The Cowboys get some revenge in this one as Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott both have big days. Fitzpatrick has some trouble, and Washington's running game can't get outside the numbers as Dallas holds off for an important win.

Week 17: Eagles at Washington — Sunday, Jan. 2 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Score prediction: WFT 20, Eagles 13 The Eagles hang tight with Washington until late in the game but don't have enough firepower to pull off the win. So Washington wins and sets up a showdown with the Giants in Week 18.

Week 18: Washington at Giants — Sunday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. ET

Score prediction: Giants 27, WFT 20 The Giants even the season series with Washington, and both will earn a trip to the playoffs.

Final record: 11-6

Washington finally reaches the 11-win mark, even if it is in a 17-game season.

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