Schedule Serves Up Commanders Chance For 'No-Surprise Hot Start'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 16, 2025 10:39 PM ET

The Washington Commanders will enter the 2025 season with big expectations given how the 2024 season went for the franchise.

With Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn, the Commanders are again expected to be one of the teams to beat in the NFC, but some think a sophomore slump might be coming Jayden's way.

After all, we all know that nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, but the schedule makers might have given the Commanders and Jayden a slight advantage to begin the year.

Washington's first month is rather friendly.

"Don't be surprised if the Commanders get off to a hot start and that's because they have a very friendly early-season schedule," CBS Sports writes. "In three of their first four games, they'll get to face a group of quarterbacks who might struggle early in the season. In Week 1, the Giants will likely be rolling out Russell Wilson, who would be in his first career start with the team.

"In Week 3, the Raiders will be starting Geno Smith, who would be making just his third career start with Las Vegas. In Week 4, the Falcons will have Michael Penix, who only has three career starts heading into the 2025 season. The Commanders are in a prime position to win a few games during the first month of the season."

Now we know that just because the schedule seems easy, it doesn't mean it will be, and you can bet your house that Quinn won't be having such talk infiltrate his locker room either.

After such a successful 2024 season, the chance to get 2025 off to a fast start is one the Commanders can't waste. The New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons will give the Commanders a good test, but there is every chance the franchise emerges from that above .500.

Do that, and the Commanders have their teeth into the season, ready to attack the next phase.

It is easier to bank your wins early rather than trying to play catch-up later in the year, and Washington has a glorious chance to get out of the starting gate quickly.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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