Things are not going well for the Washington Commanders. Despite an impressive first half against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, the team collapsed and lost. Head coach Dan Quinn's squad is now 3-5 with their playoff hopes evaporating quickly.
Injuries have decimated this roster. The Commanders aren't using it as an excuse, but it's hard to look at the constant stream of health problems as anything but. The NFC is also hugely competitive this year, so it's going to take a monumental effort from Quinn and his playing personnel to turn the tide.
Washington's schedule the rest of the way is demanding. They needed to start well this season, which would have provided a solid platform for when things get tougher. That hasn't happened, and a campaign of which much was expected is in danger of falling by the wayside.
Anyone expecting general manager Adam Peters to make moves before the trade deadline will likely be disappointed. The Commanders look like sellers, not buyers, right now. But this team, and their resolute head coach, won't be giving up without a fight.
With this in mind, we took a look at how the Commanders might fare over the next five games as their 2025 season teeters on the brink.
Predicting the Commanders' next five games as season teeters on collapse
Commanders vs. Seahawks - Week 9
- Date: Sunday, November 2
- Time: 8.20 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- Channel: NBC
Another prime time clash awaits the Washington Commanders in Week 9. It's been weeks since this franchise had any genuine routine, and that will continue for the rest of November. More importantly, this represents another difficult proposition against a team quietly making its way into playoff contention.
The Seattle Seahawks are a dangerous operation. Their big-money move to acquire quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency has paid off so far. He's riding on the crest of a wave after a turbulent start to his career, finally showing why he was such a highly touted prospect coming out of USC. And in wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the NFC West club has one of the league's most prolific options in the passing game.
Couple this with an imposing defense led by head coach Mike Macdonald, and it's not hard to see why this could be another defeat for the Commanders. However, they have nothing to lose, and if they can match their first-half efforts against the Chiefs for the entirety of the game, they are not without a chance.
- Prediction: Commanders win (4-5)
This prediction is based on Jayden Daniels and Laremy Tunsil getting back into the lineup. If the dynamic signal-caller and franchise left tackle are forced to miss the game, it will probably go the other way.
Commanders vs. Lions - Week 10
- Date: Sunday, November 9
- Time: 4.25 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- Channel: FOX
The Washington Commanders shocked the NFL world by beating the Detroit Lions in the playoff divisional round last season. Jayden Daniels was sensational, taking advantage of a defense ravaged by injuries to propel his squad to the NFC Championship game against all odds.
That seems like a long way off this time around. The Lions know that too, and they will have revenge on their mind during their trip to Northwest Stadium in Week 10.
Head coach Dan Campbell knows how to motivate his players. There will be an eagerness to right a significant wrong — to put the Commanders back in their place and cement claims for NFC supremacy this time around. If Washington isn't ready for the inevitable storm, it will pay a heavy price.
Detroit's offense is high-powered and explosive, capable of putting up points in a hurry. Their rush attack is dynamic behind a prolific offensive line. This allows their defense to be aggressive, with stud defensive end Aidan Hutchinson causing endless problems with his relentless pass-catching credentials.
- Prediction: Commanders loss (4-6)
There is too much working against the Commanders in this one. These two clubs are heading in different directions, even though they were expected to be competing for the same goal in 2025.
Commanders at Dolphins - Week 11
- Date: Sunday, November 16
- Time: 9.30 a.m. ET
- Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
- Channel: NFL Network
One more game awaits the Commanders before their long-awaited bye week. And it's a journey into the unknown.
Washington was chosen for the first international game to be played in Spain. It's a great honor and a sign of how far this franchise has come in such a short timeframe. The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a historic venue — the home of soccer kingpins C.F. Real Madrid — so the Commanders will want to put on a show against the Miami Dolphins.
The AFC East franchise has gone through severe turmoil this season. Questions were being asked about the futures of head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. However, the impressive victory over the Atlanta Falcons showed that this team is still fighting hard despite their lowly record.
Looking at the Commanders' schedule over the second half of 2025, this appears to be one of the more winnable games. It's also a chance for the players to spend more time together and embrace a new culture. That might be the spark needed to reignite this squad before the team embarks on its extended rest period.
- Prediction: Commanders win (5-6)
A massive effort is needed, with bodies aching and morale dwindling. Still, the Commanders have more than enough to go into their bye week on a high.
Commanders vs. Broncos - Week 13
- Date: Sunday, November 30
- Time: 8.20 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- Channel: NBC
The Washington Commanders should be refreshed and refocused after their bye week. Injuries should have healed, and the players should be ready to finish the campaign on a positive note. And they are also back on the prime time stage to showcase this to full effect.
Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos visit Northwest Stadium for Sunday Night Football. They currently sit atop the AFC West at 6-2, so the challenge awaiting the Commanders will be steep. Nothing but the correct game plan and supreme conviction will do against a team that can stifle the opposition if given the chance.
This might see a battle between two first-round quarterbacks from the 2024 NFL Draft — Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix. But if the Commanders want to get anything out of this game, they must find a way to limit Denver's ability to generate pressure almost at will.
The Broncos currently lead the league with 4.5 sacks per game on average. Daniels' mobility will help, but their revamped offensive line must meet fire with fire, giving their signal-caller a chance to make plays. That might be a lot easier if All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II is still missing by this point.
- Prediction: Commanders win (6-6)
This might be a prediction of blind optimism. But the bye week rejuvenation and being on home soil could be enough for the Commanders to pull off an upset.
Commanders at Vikings - Week 14
- Date: Sunday, December 7
- Time: 1.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium
- Channel: FOX
Another battle of first-round quarterbacks from the 2024 NFL Draft occurs in Week 14 when the Commanders travel north to take on the Minnesota Vikings. This also sees Washington face off against one of their old franchise cornerstones for the first time since his high-profile departure this offseason.
Jonathan Allen was a first-round selection who became a Pro Bowl-caliber performer in Washington. The defensive tackle emerged as a supreme locker room leader — an alpha in every sense of the term. However, the perennial losing took its toll, and his early exit seemed like a foregone conclusion from a long way out.
The Commanders released Allen when no willing trade suitor came forward. He was snapped up quickly by the Vikings, who went into the campaign with high expectations that haven't been met after winning 14 games last season.
Sound familiar?
Even though the Vikings haven't met their billing, they cannot be taken lightly. Their offense has some elite weapons if J.J. McCarthy can find his feet. Their blitz-happy defense can wreak havoc on the front seven, although they can be exposed on the backend if the offensive line meets their end of the bargain.
- Prediction: Commanders win (7-6)
If the Commanders could win and find themselves at 7-6 in this scenario, that would be beyond the wildest dreams of fans right now. It seems unlikely, but don't count Washington out just yet.