Commanders game-by-game predictions as Dan Quinn hunts another dream season

The Washington Commanders now know how their 2025 campaign will be structured. Their opponents have been set for some time, but the NFL's official schedule release brought excitement and anticipation in equal measure.

A real opportunity awaits Dan Quinn's squad this time around. Their memorable run to the NFC Championship game in 2024, coupled with some exceptional additions throughout the offseason, leaves reasons for encouragement. Their Super Bowl is open for the first time in decades, which brings a different (but nicer) pressure on everyone involved.

It came as no surprise to see the Commanders' schedule differ slightly next season. More prime time games, different time slots to maximize exposure, a groundbreaking international contest, and even taking the festive limelight typified the incredible strides made in a short timeframe. Expectations are high, but there's nothing to suggest this squad cannot meet them if early momentum is generated.

Fans can now begin to plan trips, decide which games they'll attend, and look forward to football finally returning. There isn't much downtime during the NFL offseason these days, but the Commanders will always take things one step at a time with a common purpose and collective vision.

It'll be fascinating to see how things unfold. With this in mind, here are some early game-by-game predictions after the Commanders' schedule became official.

Commanders' game-by-game predictions for the 2025 season

Commanders vs. NY Giants — Week 1

• Date: Sunday, September 7
• Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
• Channel: FOX
• Venue: Northwest Stadium

Fans were agitated when the Washington Commanders got overlooked for the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. That distinction went to the overhyped Dallas Cowboys, who've done almost nothing deserving of the honor aside from hog the headlines as the league's nauseating media darling.

As for the Commanders? They'll begin with a home clash versus the New York Giants. It's a divisional matchup and an early chance to lay down a marker within the NFC East. Taking the G-Men lightly would be foolish, but this looks like a pretty winnable game if Washington hits the ground running.

The Giants head into the season with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen on the hot seat. They are moving forward with Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback, but trading back into the first round for Jaxson Dart also gives them a long-term option. Washington also has a new defensive threat to deal with after edge rusher Abdul Carter was taken No. 3 overall in the draft.

• Prediction: Win (1-0)

Northwest Stadium will be rocking for Washington's regular season curtain raiser. It would be a bitter disappointment if this didn't inspire them to a Week 1 success.

Commanders at Packers — Week 2

• Date: Thursday, September 11
• Time: 8.15 p.m. ET
• Channel: Amazon Prime
• Venue: Lambeau Field

Rising to the limelight was always going to have a ripple effect for the Washington Commanders this season. They went from obscurity to success in the blink of an eye. They also became the league's prime time darling to see if Dan Quinn's squad has enough to carry the brand on their shoulders.

Fans won't have to wait before Washington's first encounter with the national spotlight glaring. The Commanders will travel to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football in Week 2, which is a stern test of their credentials at one of the league's most iconic venues.

The Packers are a dynamic young team with a bright future. They finished third in the NFC North last season but won 11 games. Jordan Love looks like a franchise-caliber quarterback, and they have several others with immense potential, all growing together.

• Prediction: Loss (1-1)

This is a tall order so early in the season. It'll be interesting to see how the Commanders stack up.

Commanders vs. Raiders — Week 3

• Date: Sunday, September 21
• Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
• Channel: FOX
• Venue: Northwest Stadium

The Commanders' run defense didn't exactly shine against the league's best last season. They should be a little better following some useful additions throughout the offseason, but by how much remains a hot topic of debate among the fan base. 

Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s run schematics will be tested to their limit by the Las Vegas Raiders. They drafted Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, who comes with a lofty reputation after one of the finest campaigns in college football history last time around. 

Jeanty is a difficult proposition to stop once momentum is generated. His footwork, explosiveness, and contact balance already look NFL-ready. The margins get finer in the pros, but it's a steep task for the Commanders nonetheless. 

• Prediction: Win (2-1)

This also represents a revenge game for Jeremy Chinn, who wasn't given a new deal by the Commanders despite shining in 2024. Counteracting this challenge will be difficult, but Washington has enough to get the job done.

Commanders at Falcons — Week 4

• Date: Sunday, September 28
• Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
• Channel: CBS
• Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium

One of the most entertaining games Washington participated in last season was its overtime thriller against the Atlanta Falcons. They came away victoriously to cement their postseason spot, but they'll have to do it on the road this time around. 

The Commanders travel to take on the Falcons, who are becoming a trendy pick to reach the playoffs in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. looked the part during his brief involvement as a rookie. Atlanta's defense got an injection of energy with Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Their secondary remains vulnerable despite the presence of A.J. Terrell and Jessie Bates III, which is something Jayden Daniels can exploit when opportunities arise. 

• Prediction: Win (3-1)

This will be a tough test for the Commanders. But they've already proved capable of finding the fine margins needed to come out on the other end smiling.

Commanders at LA Chargers — Week 5

• Date: Sunday, October 5
• Time: 4.25 p.m. ET
• Channel: FOX
• Venue: SoFi Stadium

If you're looking for a physical, hard-nosed challenge for the Commanders, then look no further than their trip to the Los Angeles Chargers. Jim Harbaugh's completely changed the culture within the AFC West club. He's installed a philosophy that got everyone to buy in, which is something Washington also benefited from thanks to Dan Quinn's remarkable turnaround. 

The Chargers have Justin Herbert, but they are heavily reliant on the run. Najee Harris and rookie Omarion Hampton will shoulder the load, with Ladd McConkey, Tre Harris, Mike Williams, and Quentin Johnston set to form a potentially productive wide receiver quartet. 

Their offensive line is solid, and Los Angeles' defense should have enough to be competitive. At the same time, there isn't much to fear for Jayden Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury if the game plan keeps Khalil Mack and Derwin James in check. 

• Prediction: Win (4-1)

Daniels got the better of Herbert in college. He can do the same in the pros.

Commanders vs. Bears — Week 6

• Date: Monday, October 13
• Time: 8.15 p.m. ET
• Channel: ESPN
• Venue: Northwest Stadium

The Hail Mary miracle completely shifted the course for the Commanders and the Chicago Bears last season. It propelled Dan Quinn's squad to a completely different stratosphere while the NFC North club free-fell into obscurity, firing head coach Matt Eberflus along the way. 

Would things have been different if the Bears had defended Jayden Daniels' prayer that was caught by Noah Brown? It's hard to say, but Chicago will be intent on righting this wrong when the two teams square off again at Northwest Stadium. 

There's a different look about the Bears. New head coach Ben Johnson comes with lofty ambitions. Chicago fortified the offensive line to help Caleb Williams. It's a well-balanced roster that should be more competitive. They'll also have all the motivation in the world to get one over on Washington after what happened last season. 

• Prediction: Loss (4-2)

I've got a bad feeling about this one. The Commanders won't win every home game, and this could be one where they slip up.

Commanders at Cowboys — Week 7

• Date: Sunday, October 19
• Time: 4.25 p.m. ET
• Channel: FOX
• Venue: AT&T Stadium

The Commanders turned the tide in their heated, bitter rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys last season. It's been a long time since they've had the upper hand, so keeping their foot on the gas is critical. 

Dan Quinn knows the quality Dallas possesses across the roster. They massively underachieved in 2024, which is typical of how things have unfolded for the Cowboys over the last two decades, but underestimating them is not an option. There is too much pride at stake for that. 

Washington gets a chance to strike another blow on the Cowboys by beating them on the road. AT&T Stadium hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Commanders over the years, but their win at the same venue in Week 18 ended the slide. Quinn will be hoping this inspires his squad to a period of dominance versus their long-term adversaries. 

• Prediction: Win (5-2)

Getting off to a strong start is crucial. If they can build an early lead, that might cause enough frustration from the Cowboys' perspective to guarantee things play out positively.

Commanders at Chiefs — Week 8

• Date: Monday, October 27
• Time: 8.15 p.m. ET
• Channel: ABC
• Venue: Arrowhead Stadium

The Kansas City Chiefs are entering a crossroads campaign of sorts. They've reached dynastic levels in recent years and made the Super Bowl again in 2024. However, Andy Reid's men were never at their best, and eventually got exposed with a heavy loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

They are running it back in the hope some magic remains. The Chiefs always have a chance with Patrick Mahomes leading the charge. Travis Kelce is giving it another go-around with retirement looming. Chris Jones is the defensive linchpin, and phenomenal coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is one of the most revered strategists around. 

Couple this with the intimidating atmosphere Arrowhead Stadium provides, and it's not hard to see why this is a stiff challenge for the Commanders. This team came through almost every test with flying colors last season. They'll be hoping for the same again.

• Prediction: Loss (5-3)

This might be a step too far. But it might also be the perfect platform to put the NFL on notice.

Commanders vs. Seahawks — Week 9

• Date: Sunday, November 2
• Time: 8.20 p.m. ET
• Channel: NBC
• Venue: Northwest Stadium

The Seattle Seahawks are a tough evaluation heading into the season. They have enough to be competitive, but trading away wide receiver D.K. Metcalf and quarterback Geno Smith were questionable choices that could come back to haunt them. 

Their fate rests almost squarely on the shoulders of Sam Darnold. The well-traveled signal-caller signed a big-money deal in free agency after the best season of his pro career with the Minnesota Vikings. Seattle is betting on the player's upward trend continuing alongside the likes of Cooper Kupp and Jaxson Smith-Njigba. 

The Commanders won't take them lightly. They have a home-field advantage in this one, and momentum should be high. Establishing the run will be key, which is easier said than done with Leonard Williams, Johnathan Hankins, and DeMarcus Lawrence standing in their way.

• Prediction: Win (6-3)

This might be closer than people think, but the Commanders have more than enough defensively to force Darnold into some customary mistakes.

Commanders vs. Lions — Week 10

• Date: Sunday, November 9
• Time: 4.25 p.m. ET
• Channel: FOX
• Venue: Northwest Stadium

The Commanders' crowning glory last season was their divisional round playoff win over the Detroit Lions. Knocking off the No. 1 seed was no mean feat, but there were mitigating circumstances attached. 

The Lions' defense was decimated by injuries. Guys were being signed off the street and thrown into immediate starting responsibilities. It was enough to get them through the regular season, but this glaring flaw quickly became exposed when Jayden Daniels came calling. 

Detroit will be looking to avenge this loss when the two sides meet in 2025. How the Lions will look after losing their two coordinators — Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson — to head coaching jobs is anyone's guess. But their talent across the roster warrants serious respect. 

• Prediction: Loss (6-4)

If edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson is back to his best and the offense keeps rolling without Johnson calling the shots, it'll take a monumental effort from the Commanders to get another win in the column. That's not to say it isn't possible, though.

Commanders at Dolphins — Week 11

• Date: Sunday, November 16
• Time: 9.30 a.m ET
• Channel: NFL Network
• Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Madrid)

The Commanders receiving the honor of competing in the first international game in Spain signifies the changing tide across the franchise. But for head coach Dan Quinn and his players, winning is all that matters.

Getting a road game at a neutral venue is marginally better than heading down to the Florida sunshine. The Miami Dolphins will be a tough nut to crack, but the Commanders have more than enough to put on a show before their long-awaited bye week rest.

The Dolphins are going through some changes. They remain committed to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but it's a precarious situation. Washington has nothing to fear, and the league believes it can put on a show to enhance its global brand.

• Prediction: Win (7-4)

If the Commanders' revamped secondary meets their end of the bargain, this could be a comfortable afternoon at the office.

Commanders vs. Broncos — Week 13

• Date: Sunday, November 30
• Time: 8.20 p.m. ET
• Channel: NBC
• Venue: Northwest Stadium

Jayden Daniels took the league by storm in Year 1. But there was one player who came closer than anyone to throwing doubt on his NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year crown. 

Bo Nix adjusted extremely well to a professional environment. The Denver Broncos found their guy, and head coach Sean Payton believes this is the start of a prosperous new era for the organization. 

This will be the first time Daniels and Nix will square off in the pros. Both are very different quarterbacks, but both have long-term promise. However, the biggest conundrum facing Washington is how best to counteract Denver's elite defense led by All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II. 

• Prediction: Win (8-4)

It's a riddle that very few effectively resolved last season. Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury need to be at the top of their respective games to get the better of this particular challenge. Anything less than supreme execution won't be tolerated, especially coming off their bye week.

Commanders at Vikings — Week 14

• Date: Sunday, December 7
• Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
• Channel: FOX
• Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium

The Minnesota Vikings were a nice surprise last season. Kevin O'Connell worked miracles with quarterback Sam Darnold. Brian Flores transformed the defense into a game-wrecking force that created havoc at will. This was despite suffering some grave injuries as the campaign progressed. 

Whether the Vikings reach similar feats this season is almost entirely dependent on J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota placed its faith in the first-round pick after he missed his entire rookie campaign through injury. Darnold signed for the Seattle Seahawks, so it's another journey into the unknown for O'Connell. 

This could work in Washington's favor. Putting McCarthy under pressure early and often could force the inexperienced signal-caller into mistakes. However, blitzing too much is risky, especially considering the presence of Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison in the passing game. 

• Prediction: Win (9-4)

This is another one that could legitimately go either way. But if it comes down to McCarthy or Jayden Daniels in the clutch, not even Jonathan Allen's intent for revenge should prevent a Commanders' win.

Commanders at NY Giants — Week 15

• Date: Sunday, December 14
• Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
• Channel: FOX
• Venue: MetLife Stadium

A stretch of three divisional games in four weeks to conclude the 2025 campaign begins with a trip to the New York Giants. Things get much tougher from here on out, so the Commanders cannot afford any slip-ups at MetLife Stadium.

Just how the Giants will look at this juncture is a big factor. Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are under tremendous pressure to turn things around. If owner John Mara isn't satisfied with on-field developments, he could very well pull the plug on both before the campaign concludes.

This would also bring Jaxson Dart to the fore. The first-round rookie quarterback is expected to see the field late in 2025 if the Giants struggle. Russell Wilson will be striving to ensure this scenario doesn't come to fruition, but he's on the decline.

• Prediction: Win (10-4)

The Commanders should win in this one. Something that would provide them with an extra sense of comfort heading into a brutal end to 2025.

Commanders vs. Eagles — Week 16

• Date: Saturday, December 20
• Time: TBD
• Channel: FOX
• Venue: Northwest Stadium

The Commanders and Eagles will be closely linked throughout the upcoming campaign. They competed for the NFC Championship last time around and reside within the same division. Dan Quinn's squad will also have revenge on their mind after losing to Philadelphia earlier in the campaign if these predictions prove accurate.

Washington split the series with Philadelphia last season. They struck a blow in this storied rivalry after years of playing second fiddle with a dramatic win at Northwest Stadium. This was the only game that the Eagles lost after starting 2-2.

It won't be easy, not by any stretch of the imagination. There could also be some high stakes attached with playoff places and a divisional championship potentially on the line this late into the campaign.

• Prediction: Win (11-4)

This one could go either way, but the Commanders' triumph over the Eagles on home soil last season should provide the confidence needed to do the same again.

Commanders vs. Cowboys — Week 17

Date: Thursday, December 25
Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
Channel: Netflix
Venue: Northwest Stadium

This is always one of the more eagerly anticipated occasions for Commanders fans. For all the success and adulation around the new regime, beating the Dallas Cowboys is always high on the agenda. And this time, it’ll be on Christmas Day.

The Commanders split the series with Dallas last season. They were light years ahead of them overall, going deep into the postseason as Jerry Jones' squad once again flattered to deceive. Dan Quinn will be hoping the same trend continues this season to reaffirm the changing tide in this bitter rivalry. 

Dallas should be better with a healthy Dak Prescott. However, they have questions around the offensive line. The Commanders also match up well in key areas, which provides confidence that Washington can keep its long-standing adversary at arm's length.

• Prediction: Win (12-4)

If the Commanders can nullify the threats posed by edge rusher Micah Parsons and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, they'll be in good shape.

Commanders at Eagles — Week 18

• Date: TBD
• Time: TBD
• Channel: TBD
• Venue: Lincoln Financial Field

The Commanders conclude their 2025 regular-season engagements with a pivotal divisional clash against the Eagles. This will be the second time in three weeks that last year's NFC Championship game participants will square off. And the stakes might be high depending on what goes on beforehand.

Washington is looking to dethrone the Eagles. They were the league's best team last season, but the Commanders ran them closer than most. Their games were all won or lost in the trenches, which is something that didn't go unnoticed by general manager Adam Peters this offseason.

Peters invested heavily in the offensive and defensive lines to counteract Philadelphia's biggest strengths. Whether it has the desired effect hasn't been determined, but it won't hurt the team's chances, that's for sure.

• Prediction: Loss (12-5)

You can guarantee this game is going to be on prime time if there is a division title or playoff ramifications at stake. These NFC heavyweights might have nothing to play for with spots or statuses already confirmed. That shifts the dynamic slightly, but the Commanders have their backs against the wall.

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