NFL expert sounds alarm on Commanders' brutal 2025 schedule

Expectations are surging around the Washington Commanders these days. It's a refreshing change of pace, but one NFL analyst believes a tougher schedule could see regression befall head coach Dan Quinn's squad in 2025.

The Commanders have some different challenges to navigate. Their schedule features eight standalone games, five of which are on prime time. One is on Christmas Day, with an international contest and a Saturday showcase also on deck for the new league darlings.

Couple this with four consecutive divisional games before their fate is decided, and it's not hard to see how the stakes have been raised. The Commanders have a high-quality roster after an aggressive offseason strategy from general manager Adam Peters. Hopefully, that should serve them well with a bigger target on their back.

Analyst expects Commanders to regress with tougher 2025 schedule

Moe Moton from The Bleacher Report thought the Commanders could still be in the postseason hunt, predicting a 10-7 record for Quinn in 2025. The analyst pointed to the number of playoff contenders on the schedule as a reason why things could be more difficult when push comes to shove.

With a stronger supporting cast, [Jayden] Daniels will continue to ascend as one of the league's top young quarterbacks. Keep in mind that the Commanders played a fourth-place team schedule last season. This year, Washington will face seven postseason teams from the previous term: the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles (twice). In 2025, the Commanders have a difficult pathway to the playoffs, but they will remain in the mix with another double-digit-win campaign.Moe Moton

The Commanders know the size of this challenge. Becoming a surprise package nobody saw coming is one thing. Achieving similar or greater feats with the spotlight glaring is something else entirely.

It'll be tough, there's no getting away from that. Starting on the front foot and getting a clear run of luck on the injury side of things are crucial. This should provide enough early momentum to maintain high standards and give the Commanders a fighting chance of making another deep postseason run.

It's a fine line. The Commanders have a nice blend of youth and experience across the board. There is a winning culture in the locker room, and last season's unforgettable run to the NFC Championship game is another tremendous platform from which to build.

There's something different about these Commanders. If they continue their rapid ascent and manage to come through in close games as they did last season, Quinn and his stars will be in good shape. But the margin for error remains razor-thin.

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