The NFL schedule makers don’t hand out primetime games and marquee matchups on accident—and in 2025, they made it clear: the Washington Commanders are no longer a team to overlook. I’m not surprised. Dan Quinn’s squad earned this spotlight.
In 2024, the Commanders took the league by storm. They didn’t just win games—they won respect. Powered by a relentless defense and the poised play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, Washington reestablished itself as a serious contender.
Now, the league is watching closely as Daniels enters his second year under center.
That’s exactly why the 2025 schedule is so loaded. The Commanders rank 8th in CBS’s strength of schedule rankings. They’ve been handed five night games and eight standalone televised matchups. That’s a big ask for a second-year quarterback, but if anyone can handle the pressure, it’s Daniels.
He’s composed, electric, and most importantly, surrounded by veteran leadership—none more important than wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who continues to be the heartbeat of this offense.
Washington opens the season at home against the New York Giants in a divisional showdown. It’s a chance to make an immediate statement. After that, they hit a tough early stretch: Green Bay, Las Vegas, and Atlanta, all before the schedule tightens.
The Washington Commanders will rely heavily on Jayden Daniels during their 2025 gaunlet
From Weeks 5 to 11, the Commanders face a murderer’s row of opponents: the Bears, Cowboys, Chiefs, Lions, and Dolphins. That stretch will test their depth, discipline, and most of all, their ability to adapt.
This includes Christmas Day duel against the Dallas.
Fortunately, Dan Quinn is a coach who knows how to prepare his players mentally and physically for a grind like this.
Their well-earned Week 12 bye will come as a welcome breather. But there’s no coasting to the finish line. Washington will close the season with four consecutive divisional games—an emotional and physical gauntlet that will likely determine playoff positioning.
I believe in what this team is building. The pressure is real, and the task ahead is daunting, but the Commanders are willing to grind for every win.
Jayden Daniels’s development is the key. If he can take that next step, this team has the talent and the schedule spotlight to prove they belong among the NFL’s elite.