Predicting the Commanders' next five games after 1-1 start in 2025

The Washington Commanders' momentum came screeching to an abrupt halt in Week 2. As if their heavy loss to the Green Bay Packers wasn't enough, head coach Dan Quinn is also navigating some serious injury concerns to further cloud the team's outlook moving forward.

It's been a sluggish start. Several established stars aren't performing up to expectations. Things just aren't clicking on either side of the football. There is also a danger of the Commanders being understrength heading into some tricky upcoming matchups.

Sounding the alarm is extremely premature. The Commanders have plenty of talent, and their experienced coaches should be capable of getting everyone on the same page quickly. Fans are rightfully despondent after such a disappointing defeat with the national spotlight glaring, but it's easy to forget how far this once-downtrodden club has come in such a short space of time.

A big response is needed. With this in mind, we predicted how things might go over Washington's next five games after its 1-1 opening to the 2025 campaign.

Predicting the Commanders' next five games after 1-1 start in 2025

Commanders vs. Raiders — Week 3

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

The Washington Commanders come off their mini-bye week with a home clash against the Las Vegas Raiders. This looks like a winnable contest for Dan Quinn's squad. However, some key individual battles must be won to improve their hopes.

Las Vegas has some exceptional performers who could exploit Washington's weak links. Looking at how the Green Bay Packers' tight ends carved up the Commanders' defense on Thursday Night Football, prolific first-rounder Brock Bowers instantly becomes the primary danger.

Bowers came into the league with generational traits, and he's done nothing to alter this perception so far. If the Commanders can't figure out a way to limit his influence, especially in red-zone situations, it could be another long afternoon at the office.

There's also the presence of All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby to factor into the equation. Washington's tackle tandem of Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly Jr. did not fare well at Lambeau Field. That won't go unnoticed by the Raiders, who will likely target the rookie as a potential weak link to exploit.

• Prediction: Win (2-1)

Much will depend on the injury concerns with John Bates, Noah Brown, and potentially even Jayden Daniels, but the Commanders' added urgency to right their primetime wrong might be enough to steer them through.

Commanders at Falcons — Week 4

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

They say styles make fights. The Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons put together a barnstorming contest last season, which could mean more fireworks are on the way when they clash once again in Week 4.

Michael Penix Jr. and Jayden Daniels went toe-to-toe throughout a pulsating encounter. The former LSU standout got the football first in overtime, and it was no surprise to see him come through in the clutch. But make no mistake, the Falcons will take great heart from that as they look to turn the tables on home soil.

The Falcons have some outstanding weapons that demand respect. Anything less comes with severe consequences attached.

Washington's run defense has improved slightly this season, but containing Bijan Robonson might be its toughest test so far. He's a dynamic dual-threat capable of exploiting the smallest seams for big gains. Drake London represents a tough challenge for Marshon Lattimore if his performance in Green Bay was any indication, and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. will fancy his chances of a profitable afternoon.

• Prediction: Loss (2-2)

Couple this with being on the road, and it's got the makings of a tougher test than fans think. Dan Quinn will be eager to get one over on the club that fired him as head coach. That could be enough motivation to inspire the Commanders, but there's just no telling for sure right now.

Commanders at Chargers — Week 5

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

Dan Quinn and Jim Harbaugh are two old-school coaches with sound values. They preach the importance of brotherhood. They have stood the test of time and enjoyed a great deal of success along the way. And now, they will do battle for the first time since the national championship winner at Michigan came back to the NFL.

Another long trip awaits Washington when it descends on SoFi Stadium in Week 5. The Commanders need to be ready for trench warfare and physicality from the first whistle. If they aren't, then the Los Angeles Chargers are more than capable of exposing them.

The Chargers are quietly fancied to make serious noise this season. Their statement to beat the Kansas City Chiefs to begin the campaign put the entire league on notice. Everyone is bought into Harbaugh's strategy, and the roster looks well-balanced despite losing stud left tackle Rashawn Slater to a season-ending injury.

• Prediction: Loss (2-3)

It'll be a stern test of Washington's credentials with no margin for error whatsoever. This looks tougher now than it did before the season. The Commanders aren't without a chance, but everything has to go right.

And in all honesty, even that might not be enough.

Commanders vs. Bears — Week 6

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

If the Washington Commanders are 2-3 by this point, which cannot be completely dismissed, then their Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears becomes a must-win. And the NFC North club will have revenge on their mind after last season's Hail Mary miracle.

It was a moment no Washington fan will ever forget. For the Bears, it sent them on a catastrophic run that saw coaches fired, players released, and a new era dawn under new head man Ben Johnson.

Johnson has given quarterback Caleb Williams a rude awakening since joining the franchise, with mixed results. It's a work in progress right now. The Bears flashed moments of excellence versus the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, even if it didn't result in any wins to show for their efforts.

The Commanders will be eager to show Chicago that their last-gasp triumph last year was no fluke. There will be enormous pressure to produce the goods with the entire NFL world watching on. Anything less could see things completely unravel for a team that harbored lofty ambitions before the campaign.

• Prediction: Win (3-3)

Washington's back will be against the wall in this scenario. Looking at the way Quinn and his players responded in the face of adversity last season, they can do the same again here.

Commanders at Cowboys — Week 7

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

The Commanders got tormented by Micah Parsons on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. But the silver lining is they won't have to face the All-Pro edge rusher twice a season in the NFC East anymore.

Jerry Jones traded Parsons after his contract standoff with the Dallas Cowboys got extremely personal. The owner/general manager said that paying five good players is better than giving money to one elite-level performer. It's an eyebrow-raising theory, and it's not reaping immediate rewards based on their performances over the opening fortnight.

Washington gets the chance to pile more misery on the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Week 7. Dan Quinn got a lot of joy versus his old club at the same venue last season, but it's also worth remembering that quarterback Dak Prescott missed the game through injury.

Keeping the Cowboys' offense quiet is key. They're more reliant on this unit than ever after trading Parsons. If their threats can be nullified, the Commanders have more than enough to come away victorious.

• Prediction: Win (4-3)

Being 4-3 at this stage of the season might not be what the Commanders expected after their fairytale run to the NFC Championship game in 2024. But it keeps them in the fight heading into the business end of proceedings.