Now that we know the entirety of the 2025 NFL regular season schedule, we can start breaking down the games and each team’s chances of success this season. We already know the Commanders’ schedule is more difficult than it was last year when they played a fourth-place schedule. As the NFC runner-up, their schedule changes as well.

We also have to remember that it’s Jayden Daniels’ second season, and many expect a ‘sophomore slump’ from the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. It happens with many players every year, but not necessarily every player. And Daniels is aware that this is the perception and will work hard not to let that happen. Still, it’s in the back of everyone’s heads, which is probably why Bleacher Report predicts that the Commanders will only win 10 games in 2025.

2024 record: 12-5

The Washington Commanders made the biggest leap between 2023 and 2024, considering their playoff run to the NFC Championship Game. Quarterback Jayden Daniels won the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year award in a season of spectacular plays and late-game heroics.

With a stronger supporting cast, Daniels will continue to ascend as one of the league’s top young quarterbacks.

Washington strengthened its pass protection, acquiring five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Houston Texans and taking offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round of the draft, though the latter has to transition from the left to the right side of the line.

Deebo Samuel will be the Commanders’ X-factor this season. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury can get creative with Samuel’s versatile skill set, lining him up out wide and in the backfield.

While the Commanders offense looks better than last year’s group on paper, the club will struggle to match up against top offensive attacks with its lackluster pass-rushing unit.

Washington lost its 2024 sack leader, Dante Fowler Jr., in free agency. The Commanders will need more than Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Deatrich Wise to collapse the pocket on the edges. Frankie Luvu and Daron Payne must be active near the line of scrimmage on passing downs.

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.

2025 projection: 10-7

Advertisement

First, playing the Eagles twice isn’t new. That’s something the Commanders have done forever and shouldn’t be a huge factor here despite being the Super Bowl champs. They face Denver and Detroit at home while the games against Green Bay, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Minnesota are away games. The toughest of those games will be Green Bay, Kansas City, and Minnesota.

All are tough places to play, but they face the Packers in Week 2 when snowfall is unlikely and temperatures should be relatively friendly. Kansas City in October has similar weather to D.C., so that won’t be a factor there, but facing Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead is always a challenge. The game at Minnesota in December doesn’t have weather implications, as the Vikings play in a dome.

A 10-win season isn’t bad and is still playoff-worthy. But the Commanders don’t just want to make the playoffs; they want to lead the division. It won’t be easy with the Eagles in the mix, but that’s their goal. It would be surprising if they didn’t win more than 10 games, but in looking at their schedule, 10 is the minimum number of games they should win anyway.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Bleacher Report predicts 10-win season for Commanders