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The Washington Commanders' 2025 schedule is here. If the Commanders are to repeat last season's success, their path will be much more difficult in 2025.
The Commanders will play five prime-time games next season and eight standalone games. That means all eyes will be on Washington for almost half of its games. Times have surely changed.
Can the Commanders overtake the Philadelphia Eagles and win the NFC East? What is their most difficult stretch? Here are six key takeaways from the Commanders' schedule.
Philadelphia and Washington are no strangers to one another, having first played in 1934. The two NFC East rivals have played twice a year for around 90 years. However, for years, this rivalry was one-sided. The Eagles, or at least their fan base, didn't take the Commanders seriously and for good reason. Washington has been woeful for most of this century, with a few rare exceptions. Things appeared to take a turn in 2024, as the Commanders finally found a quarterback. Jayden Daniels wasn't your typical rookie. Not only did he improve throughout the season, but he carried the team on his back at times.
The NFL is invested in this renewed rivalry. The Eagles have the NFL's most talented roster, while the Commanders are an up-and-comer led by perhaps a generational quarterback. With scheduled meetings in Weeks 16 and 18, the league believes the NFC East will be decided between the Commanders and Eagles late in the season.
Washington has a demanding schedule, but as Warren Sharp points out, if there is a soft spot, it's at the beginning. The Commanders cannot afford a slow start. You have the rebuilding Giants at home in Week 1. Keep in mind, New York's head coach and GM are fighting for their jobs. The Commanders can't lose that one for multiple reasons. A trip to Lambeau Field in Week 2 is never easy. Think about it this way: at least Washington isn't going to Wisconsin in December.
The Commanders host the Raiders in Week 3. Las Vegas will be much better than people think in Pete Carroll's first year. Finally, in Week 4, Washington faces the Atlanta Falcons. The game between Atlanta and Washington went down to the final play last year. The point is, regardless of what the analytics tell you, none of these games are easy. This is the NFL. Still, if Washington is a legit contender, it must win at least three of these games to begin the season.
Washington's last four games are as follows: at Giants, vs. Eagles, vs. Cowboys and at Eagles. Division games are always tough. Washington struggled at times with Dallas and New York last season despite going 3-1 in those games. The Commanders must win at least two of these games, which won't be easy.
This isn't the first time the Commanders have faced an NFC East gauntlet to end the season. Of course, things are much different now. Washington is considered one of the NFL's best teams. We will know a lot about the Commanders before December, but this stretch could define their season.
This is obviously a disadvantage for the Commanders. The only silver lining here is that in Week 13, Denver and Washington are coming off a bye. The good news for Commanders' fans is that Washington was 2-1 vs. teams coming off a bye last season.
Washington fans finally know what it feels like to have a star quarterback. Jayden Daniels was phenomenal last season. Daniels isn't Robert Griffin III. Barring a major injury, Daniels is not a contender for a sophomore slump. Daniels' study habits are as impressive as his physical tools. If the Commanders deliver again this season, Washington can get accustomed to having several prime-time games per season. Ratings were up locally for the Commanders last season. Why? Because they were winning. Why were they winning? Well, several factors here, but Daniels is the most significant.
It isn't just Washington fans who want to see Daniels. NFL fans want to see Daniels. Casual fans want to see Daniels. There's a reason why Daniels sold more jerseys than any other NFL player. Who was buying Commanders' jerseys before Daniels came along? So, for fans or media complaining about Washington's high number of prime-time games, get used to it. That's called the "Jayden Daniels Effect."
The NFL loves Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels. The two young quarterbacks will meet in the Week 6 edition of Monday Night Football.
There are so many juicy storylines here. First, new Chicago coach Ben Johnson. Remember Johnson's flirtation with the Commanders? There was no love lost on both sides there. Remember what the Commanders did to Johnson's Lions in January? Washington's upset of Detroit ended Johnson's tenure there. There's also Montez Sweat, who was traded from the Commanders to the Bears.
These are two of the NFL's most storied franchises, both of which have struggled for seemingly forever. Now, they're both on the way up, thanks to a pair of young quarterbacks who went first and second in the 2024 NFL draft.
Oh, did we mention the Hail Mary?
Just in case you forgot:
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 6 takeaways from Commanders' 2025 schedule
Continue reading...
The Commanders will play five prime-time games next season and eight standalone games. That means all eyes will be on Washington for almost half of its games. Times have surely changed.
Can the Commanders overtake the Philadelphia Eagles and win the NFC East? What is their most difficult stretch? Here are six key takeaways from the Commanders' schedule.
NFL has high hopes for Commanders vs. Eagles' rivalry
Philadelphia and Washington are no strangers to one another, having first played in 1934. The two NFC East rivals have played twice a year for around 90 years. However, for years, this rivalry was one-sided. The Eagles, or at least their fan base, didn't take the Commanders seriously and for good reason. Washington has been woeful for most of this century, with a few rare exceptions. Things appeared to take a turn in 2024, as the Commanders finally found a quarterback. Jayden Daniels wasn't your typical rookie. Not only did he improve throughout the season, but he carried the team on his back at times.
The NFL is invested in this renewed rivalry. The Eagles have the NFL's most talented roster, while the Commanders are an up-and-comer led by perhaps a generational quarterback. With scheduled meetings in Weeks 16 and 18, the league believes the NFC East will be decided between the Commanders and Eagles late in the season.
Commanders must get off to a fast start
Washington has a demanding schedule, but as Warren Sharp points out, if there is a soft spot, it's at the beginning. The Commanders cannot afford a slow start. You have the rebuilding Giants at home in Week 1. Keep in mind, New York's head coach and GM are fighting for their jobs. The Commanders can't lose that one for multiple reasons. A trip to Lambeau Field in Week 2 is never easy. Think about it this way: at least Washington isn't going to Wisconsin in December.
The Commanders host the Raiders in Week 3. Las Vegas will be much better than people think in Pete Carroll's first year. Finally, in Week 4, Washington faces the Atlanta Falcons. The game between Atlanta and Washington went down to the final play last year. The point is, regardless of what the analytics tell you, none of these games are easy. This is the NFL. Still, if Washington is a legit contender, it must win at least three of these games to begin the season.
NFC East gauntlet
Washington's last four games are as follows: at Giants, vs. Eagles, vs. Cowboys and at Eagles. Division games are always tough. Washington struggled at times with Dallas and New York last season despite going 3-1 in those games. The Commanders must win at least two of these games, which won't be easy.
This isn't the first time the Commanders have faced an NFC East gauntlet to end the season. Of course, things are much different now. Washington is considered one of the NFL's best teams. We will know a lot about the Commanders before December, but this stretch could define their season.
Commanders face teams coming off a bye week 4 times
This is obviously a disadvantage for the Commanders. The only silver lining here is that in Week 13, Denver and Washington are coming off a bye. The good news for Commanders' fans is that Washington was 2-1 vs. teams coming off a bye last season.
This is what happens when you have a quarterback
Washington fans finally know what it feels like to have a star quarterback. Jayden Daniels was phenomenal last season. Daniels isn't Robert Griffin III. Barring a major injury, Daniels is not a contender for a sophomore slump. Daniels' study habits are as impressive as his physical tools. If the Commanders deliver again this season, Washington can get accustomed to having several prime-time games per season. Ratings were up locally for the Commanders last season. Why? Because they were winning. Why were they winning? Well, several factors here, but Daniels is the most significant.
It isn't just Washington fans who want to see Daniels. NFL fans want to see Daniels. Casual fans want to see Daniels. There's a reason why Daniels sold more jerseys than any other NFL player. Who was buying Commanders' jerseys before Daniels came along? So, for fans or media complaining about Washington's high number of prime-time games, get used to it. That's called the "Jayden Daniels Effect."
Chicago rematch in prime time
The NFL loves Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels. The two young quarterbacks will meet in the Week 6 edition of Monday Night Football.
There are so many juicy storylines here. First, new Chicago coach Ben Johnson. Remember Johnson's flirtation with the Commanders? There was no love lost on both sides there. Remember what the Commanders did to Johnson's Lions in January? Washington's upset of Detroit ended Johnson's tenure there. There's also Montez Sweat, who was traded from the Commanders to the Bears.
These are two of the NFL's most storied franchises, both of which have struggled for seemingly forever. Now, they're both on the way up, thanks to a pair of young quarterbacks who went first and second in the 2024 NFL draft.
Oh, did we mention the Hail Mary?
Just in case you forgot:
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 6 takeaways from Commanders' 2025 schedule
Continue reading...
