Commanders face double-edged sword as national exposure ramps up

The Washington Commanders' phenomenal turnaround under the new regime in 2024 was always going to have a ripple effect.

This sleeping giant went from an also-ran to a legitimate contender in the blink of an eye with head coach Dan Quinn leading the charge. That was never going to go unnoticed by the schedule-makers.

There was a striking element attached to the Commanders' official schedule release on Wednesday. The days of Washington having most of its games on Sundays at 1 p.m. Eastern Time are long gone, replaced by prime time slots and stand-alone games as the league looks to take full advantage of the positive momentum surrounding the club.

Commanders facing an new and unusual reality in 2025

It'll take some adjustment from the Commanders' perspective. All this adulation and positive headlines are still hard to believe for those who've experienced almost nothing but misery throughout their fandom. But if the staff and players don't handle it effectively, it represents a double-edged sword in no uncertain terms.

Washington is currently slated for eight games in the national spotlight. Five are on prime time, with the international contest in Spain and the Saturday afternoon clash with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16 also on the agenda. If the stakes are high in their final two games — vs. the Dallas Cowboys and at Philadelphia — they could also be flexed into a more prominent position.

• Week 2: at Packers (TNF)
• Week 6: vs. Bears (MNF)
• Week 8: at Chiefs (MNF)
• Week 9: vs. Seahawks (SNF)
• Week 11: at Dolphins (Madrid)
• Week 13: vs. Broncos (SNF)
• Week 16: vs. Eagles (Saturday)
• Week 17: vs. Cowboys (Christmas)

This is another sign of how differently Washington's football franchise is being perceived. It's also proof that the target on their back will be substantially bigger next time around.

It's a nice problem to have, but it must be successfully navigated. The Commanders have loftier expectations on their shoulders in 2025. They won't be a surprise that teams don't see coming, either. Adam Peters has worked tirelessly to improve the options across the board, but getting off to a positive start is crucial.

That should provide the momentum needed to thrive once again. Looking at the way this revamped roster handled every high-pressure situation on the biggest stages last season, that should be enough to keep complications to a minimum. Quinn will demand nothing less.

And if the Commanders enjoy similar good fortune in 2025, this will become their new normal.

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