Predicting the Commanders' next five games after 3-2 start in 2025

Securing an emphatic victory over the Los Angeles Chargers was the confidence boost everyone associated with the Washington Commanders needed. It was a comprehensive success for head coach Dan Quinn's squad, which overcame a sluggish start to overwhelm the opposition en route to an eye-catching road triumph.

This was the first of a brutal stretch of fixtures for the Commanders, so getting off to a positive start was crucial. There is no routine in the coming weeks. It's the price of being in the limelight once again, but Quinn and his players are experienced enough to minimize complications.

On the plus side, three of the next five are on home soil. Superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels is back, and several other established veterans are also making encouraging progress from their respective injury problems. It's all hands on deck for the Commanders, but these are nice problems to have after languishing among the bottom feeders for decades.

This run could determine how far the Commanders could go in 2025. With that being said, we took a look at how Washington might fare over the next five games after a 3-2 start.

Predicting the Commanders' next four games after 3-2 start in 2025

Commanders vs. Bears - Week 6

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

The Washington Commanders are back on the primetime stage for Monday Night Football, and it brings the Chicago Bears back to the venue where their campaign completely unraveled last time out.

Chicago looked set for a morale-boosting win on the road. That was, until Daniels heaved a Hail Mary up in the air as time expired. It fell into the hands of wide receiver Noah Brown, and the rest is history.

The Bears will be eager to avenge this loss. They have a new head coach in Ben Johnson, who is looking to reset the culture. It's taking time, but this isn't going to be an easy out for the Commanders by any stretch of the imagination.

Leaning on their league-leading rushing attack will be key. The Bears are giving up 179.3 yards per game on the ground. They coughed up 240 rushing yards in their last outing. They've had an early bye week to make adjustments, so it'll be interesting to see if the necessary improvements have been made to counteract Washington's supreme threat in this area.

• Prediction: Win (4-2)

The atmosphere at Northwest Stadium will be buzzing. Chicago has won two straight, but the Commanders have more than enough to achieve success.

Commanders at Cowboys - Week 7

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

The Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys will resume their historic rivalry in Week 7. Dan Quinn split the series with his old employers last season, and this promises to be another hotly contested affair that might turn into a shootout quickly.

Dallas has lived up to expectations this season. Their offense is potent, even without wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. They are spearheaded by quarterback Dak Prescott, who is playing as well as anyone in the league right now. George Pickens is making things happen consistently, and running back Javonte Williams looks like the player who took college football by storm at North Carolina.

Their defense is a mess. They are soft against the run, and trading All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons negated any pass-rushing threat at their disposal. If the Cowboys are going to achieve anything this season, their offense must be Super Bowl-caliber to compensate for these failings.

The Commanders have made improvements defensively this season. They will need all that and more against the Cowboys, but a Jayden Daniels-led offense should be able to carve open Dallas' defense with minimal fuss.

• Prediction: Win (5-2)

Slim margins will likely decide this one. But the Commanders have a good chance to put the Cowboys in their place.

Commanders at Chiefs - Week 8

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

A second Monday Night Football game in three weeks for the Washington Commanders sees them travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. It won't be easy, but this is no longer the daunting challenge it once was, by any stretch.

The Chiefs are currently experiencing some difficulties. They were undone by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5, and with the Detroit Lions upcoming, Andy Reid's squad is in real danger of starting the campaign 2-4.

That's unheard of for a team led by Patrick Mahomes. The quarterback has won every game since being drafted. He's already a first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer, so the Commanders cannot take this test lightly.

Kansas City will have its prolific wide receiver, Rashee Rice, back by this point, which changes the dynamic. However, the Commanders should also have Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown, and Sam Cosmi available. That makes them stronger than they've been since the divisional round last season, where they toppled the Lions to send shockwaves through the league.

• Prediction: Win (6-2)

The Commanders secured a statement win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5. Don't be surprised if they have enough to lay down another marker versus the Chiefs.

Commanders vs. Seahawks - Week 9

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

From one primetime game to another. The Washington Commanders are back at Northwest Stadium for the visit of the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. And if Dan Quinn's men are 6-2 by this point, the place will be rocking.

The Seahawks often go under the radar, but they are a well-balanced squad capable of giving any team problems. Sam Darnold is playing well under center following his big-money move in free agency. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is rapidly becoming one of the league's most prolific wide receivers. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet are a powerful running back tandem, and Cooper Kupp is another threat that must be contained.

Washington's key is putting Darnold under pressure. He's come of age over the last couple of seasons, but errors will inevitably arrive when the signal-caller is put under duress consistently.

The Commanders' defense front has emerged as a surprising strength this season. Hopes are high that they can force a mistake or two from the USC product that the secondary can capitalize on.

• Prediction: Win (7-2)

Seattle's defense is decent, but Baker Mayfield picked them apart with alarming frequency in Week 5. Jayden Daniels thrives when the lights are brightest, so he could have similar success en route to another win for the Commanders.

Commanders vs. Lions - Week 10

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

The Detroit Lions won't be lacking in motivation when they visit Northwest Stadium in Week 10. Dan Campbell's squad will be looking to avenge their shocking playoff loss last season, when the Commanders waltzed into Ford Field and completely overwhelmed the NFC favorites to secure a stunning triumph.

Detroit was decimated by injuries then. They are healthy now, for the most part, so the task awaiting the Commanders cannot be overstated.

The Lions lost both coordinators to head coaching gigs this offseason. Some questioned whether this brain drain from a strategic standpoint would work against them, but their talent across the board is shining through. They are currently on a four-game winning run after an opening day loss, and Campbell's men look more than capable of making a strong Super Bowl push if the same trend continues.

Of all the challenging games upcoming for the Commanders, this one stands out above the rest. Anything less than supreme execution and maximum effort won't be tolerated. And if Washington can somehow pull off the win, it'll propel them into legitimate contention in the blink of an eye.

• Prediction: Loss (7-3)

The Commanders aren't without a chance; they proved that last season. At the same time, this might be a step too far.