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

Just when it looked like the Washington Commanders would be sailing to 4-2 with a primetime win over the Chicago Bears, head coach Dan Quinn's squad snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Jayden Daniels' botched hand-off to running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt under challenging conditions from the pistol formation eventually became their undoing. The Commanders are now firmly at a crossroads, and it's going to be a significant test of their resolve in the coming weeks to get this season back on track.

There looks like something off about this team right now. Things are not clicking as they did in 2024. Of course, the injuries haven't helped, but everything looks much harder.

It was all doom and gloom after Washington's loss on Monday Night Football, but they are still in the fight. Quinn's men are only one game behind the Philadelphia Eagles for the division lead, and the reigning Super Bowl champions aren't exactly firing on all cylinders either. Even so, the margin for error is quickly fading.

With this in mind, we took a look at how the Commanders could fare over their next five games after a 3-3 opening to the campaign.

Predicting the Commanders' next five games after their 3-3 start to 2025

Commanders at Cowboys - Week 7

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

There is no time for the Washington Commanders to wallow in self-pity. It's a short week, and their most hated rival awaits when Dan Quinn takes his players for a crunch clash with the Dallas Cowboys.

This is now a must-win matchup for both clubs. The Commanders cannot afford any more slip-ups, least of all against the Cowboys. The stakes are high, and Washington needs to buckle up accordingly.

All is not well in Dallas, either. They are missing some key personnel, and their defense has been nothing short of an abomination through the opening six games. A disastrous loss to the Carolina Panthers once again showcased just what this franchise is right now.

The Cowboys' offense can put up points in a hurry. Their defensive unit can't stop anybody, especially against the run. They are conceding a league-worst 411.7 yards per game on average, with 142.2 of those coming on the ground.

• Prediction: Commanders win (4-3)

This is something the Commanders must take advantage of with Jayden Daniels, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Jeremy McNichols. If they can get the ground attack going and everything comes together defensively, Washington can win this one.

Commanders at Chiefs - Week 8

• Date: Monday, October 27
• Time: 8.15 p.m. ET
• Venue: Geha Field at Arrowhead Stadium
• Channel: ESPN

A second Monday Night Football game in three weeks sees the Washington Commanders make the trip to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. After an indifferent start, everything now seems to be clicking for the AFC West club.

Everyone was quick to write the Chiefs off earlier in the campaign. Things still aren't perfect for Andy Reid's squad, but a convincing victory over the Detroit Lions last time out represented a positive step forward.

The Chiefs know how to handle the regular season. It's a gradual build to ensure they are ready to fly when the playoffs arrive, and this strategy has been a recipe for success. And with quarterback Patrick Mahomes under center, they'll almost always come through in the clutch.

Couple this with wide receiver Rashee Rice returning from his six-game suspension this weekend, and the Chiefs will be a formidable obstacle to overcome. Washington must match fire with fire, which involves being physical at the line of scrimmage and winning the third-down battle on both sides of the football.

• Prediction: Commanders loss (4-4)

In previous pieces, I have consistently projected this as a massive statement win for the Commanders, with the primetime spotlight shining brightly. I don't have the same confidence now, given the current trajectory of the two clubs.

Commanders vs. Seahawks - Week 9

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

A schedule loaded with no genuine routine for the Commanders continues with a home clash against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. Being back on home turf will help, but this is going to be a tricky challenge that could legitimately go either way.

The Seahawks are sitting at 4-2 through six weeks. Perhaps most concerning from the Commanders' standpoint centers on Seattle's 3-0 record on the road so far. That means they are always prepared and mentally ready for the challenge.

Head coach Dan Quinn is an experienced figure. He'll know the key to this game will be making quarterback Sam Darnold uncomfortable. When the former USC standout is flustered, he makes mistakes. Still, the Seahawks are doing a tremendous job of putting him in the best possible position to thrive after his big-money move from the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.

Seattle also boasts a top-15 defense, which is no surprise when one considers that Mike Macdonald is their head coach. The margin for error will be razor-thin, and the same mistakes that blighted their defeat to the Chicago Bears cannot rear their head once again.

• Prediction: Commanders win (5-4)

This will be tense, physical, and highly competitive. However, it would be reassuring if the Commanders were able to secure a victory.

Commanders vs. Lions - Week 10

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

The Washington Commanders welcome the Detroit Lions to Northwest Stadium in Week 10. This will inevitably invoke memories of the divisional round playoff clash between the two clubs last season.

Not many gave the Commanders a chance of coming away from Ford Field with a win, even though the Lions' defense was decimated by injuries. Washington overwhelmed the opposition, earning a phenomenal triumph to break Detroit hearts on its way to the NFC Championship game.

That scar runs deep, and Lions' head coach Dan Campbell will let everyone know about it during his planning for the clash.

The Lions will have revenge on their mind. They are going through some growing pains with Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn long gone, but they are still 4-2 with a legitimate opportunity to go deep into the postseason once again.

Washington cannot get complacent here. They were unable to prevent the Chicago Bears from gaining redemption for the Hail Mary miracle, with sloppy mistakes proving to be their undoing. If they do the same against the Lions, it will raise more questions than answers.

• Prediction: Commanders loss (5-5)

A lot can happen between now and then, but it's hard to look at Washington's run defense last time out and think they are capable of containing Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

Commanders at Dolphins - Week 11

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

The bye week is finally in sight for the Commanders. Before then, it's a long trek to Spain for an international series fixture against the Miami Dolphins.

This is the first NFL game played in Spain, which will take place at the magnificent Santiago Bernabéu Stadium — home of soccer juggernauts C.F. Real Madrid. But for head coach Dan Quinn, this is a business trip and nothing more.

It's a fantastic chance for the Commanders to enter their bye week on a high. The Dolphins are currently at the height of their dysfunction, and it's uncertain whether Mike McDaniel will still be their head coach by this point. Tua Tagovailoa threw his coach and teammates under the bus after his latest three-interception outing, and patience is wearing incredibly thin.

No game can be taken lightly in the NFL. The Commanders have lost contests they should have won this season. But on the face of things, there aren't many better opponents Quinn could have picked if given the chance.

• Prediction: Commanders win (6-5)

Bodies will be aching. The mental strain of the campaign will have taken its toll, necessitating a massive effort. However, the sense of occasion in unfamiliar surroundings could be enough for a much-needed win to raise confidence before their well-deserved rest period.