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Commanders Brutal Late Stretch Will Decide Playoff Berth

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 17, 2025 12:43 AM ET

The Washington Commanders entered the playoffs last season in good form, and that carried over to an NFC Championship appearance.

Now, they might have to do the same in 2025, but that will be anything but easy.

The Commanders now won't be sneaking up on anyone; the rest of the NFL knows they're coming, and as we know, hitting the playoffs in form is key to making a Super Bowl run.

But for Washington, looking at its last three regular-season games, it could either strengthen its proposed playoff spot or ruin it entirely.

In a brutal three-week stretch, the Commanders face the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and then the Eagles again to finish. Sheesh.

For CBS Sports' John Breech, the Commanders' brutal end to the year isn't exactly a good thing.

"The NFL decided to save the best for last and unfortunately for the Commanders, that means they get to face the reigning Super Bowl champs twice over the final 15 days of the season," Breech writes. "The Commanders will face Philadelphia in Week 16 before turning around and facing the Eagles again in Week 18."

In truth, it could go one of two ways. Being late in the year, Washington will be hitting its stride and could emerge from the trio of games on the winning side and catapult them into the postseason.

Or they could limp into the playoffs because the Eagles and Cowboys, many think, at that stage, could be right in the mix for playoff football and maybe a high seeding too.

So the playoffs come early for the Commanders, and we imagine when the schedule dropped, head coach Dan Quinn must have been licking his lips at his team having the chance to test themselves before the playoffs.

It could be great, or it could be a nightmare, and it won't be until Washington has navigated it that we will get to see which one it is.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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