Commanders Must Start 2025 Hot To Make Super Bowl Run
The Washington Commanders may have had the NFL's easiest schedule during the 2024 season. And they may have relied on some miracle wins along the way to help them reach the conference championship game.
But that was then. This is now.
Advertisement
Despite finishing second in the NFC East, and an upcoming second-place schedule in 2025, the Commanders have the eighth-hardest upcoming schedule in the league.
While official games and times will be announced later tonight, the Commanders should find solace in the fact that they won't have to face tougher opponents compared to the likes of their NFC East counterparts in the Philadelphia Eagles.
That doesn't absolve them, though.
Washington still has several different matchups on their upcoming plate this season including matchups against the AFC West, and AFC North. These contests won't be easy for Washington.
Advertisement
The organization also has matchups against fellow second-place teams like the Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, and Atlanta Falcons. They might not be world-beaters, but those organizations are more than capable of pulling out wins against a good Commanders team.
That's why Washington - harboring Super Bowl dreams - needs to start out fast in 2025.
Washington was 7-2 at the start of the season last year. There were plenty of one-score wins including two against the New York Giants and Chicago Bears. If the Commanders want to be seen as true title contenders, they'll need to be even better than last season at the start.
Their schedule still may not be as tough as other opponents in their own division, but Washington still has a difficult slate upcoming.
And they'll need to be ready for it as early as possible.
Related: Commanders Unique Deebo Role Gets Cryptic Prediction from Quinn
Related: Commanders' Dan Quinn Gushes Over 'Remarkable' Jayden Daniels
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Dallas Cowboys have yet to play their first game of the Brian Schottenheimer era, but the new energetic head coach already is already making a bold prediction for the coaching staff heading into next offseason.
The Dallas Cowboys have yet to play their first game of the Brian Schottenheimer era, but the new energetic head coach already is already making a bold prediction for the coaching staff heading into next offseason. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys underwent major coaching staff changes at the start of the offseason. Most notably the team has a new leader in the head coaching seat with former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer earning the promotion. Advertisement While Schottenheimer was a remnant from the previous staff led by Mike McCarthy, he has reconfigured the circle around him to his liking, bringing on names including Klayton Adams as the offensive coordinator and Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator. Those are just two of the changes but they are certainly the most notable for a team experiencing a major vibe shift before touching the field in 2025. Much of that has to do with Schottenheimer whose competitive fire has turned into some impassioned declarations. The Cowboys wrapped up mandatory minicamp Thursday and the head coach had a bold prediction for next offseason. Schottenheimer believes the Cowboys will be so successful that it will create problems for the front office to maintain pieces of this new-look staff. 'We're gonna win. And when we win, our coaching staff is going to get raided. People are going to come after our coaches, because we're gonna win.' Advertisement It's a long ways away to inspect anyone's job status or interest from another team. Ideally, that is a world the Cowboys would want to live in. Dallas watched as two NFC powers in the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions had key pieces of their respective staffs gutted during the league's coaching carousel. While unfortunate for them, Detroit's losses came after posting the best record in the NFC last season and Philadelphia's stemmed from a remarkable Super Bowl run. The Cowboys had similar experiences just a few seasons ago when teams tried to pry Dan Quinn away from his position for years. However, Dallas had nothing to show for when the time ultimately came to say goodbye. Schottenheimer, of course, holds the task of changing that dynamic. If the Cowboys are losing pieces of this staff next year, the goal is for those departures to come in mid-to-late February. Advertisement But the Cowboys and Schottenheimer have their work cut out to be that standard. Related: Cowboys Reveal One Key Attribute of 'Dynamic' Running Backs Related: Cowboys George Pickens Speaks On 'Better' Dak Prescott Connection This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tom Coughlin: NFL acknowledges Jaguars' Myles Jack wasn't down in AFC Championship game
We all knew that Jacksonville Jaguars' linebacker Myles Jack wasn't down on the fumble that he forced and then recovered in the fourth quarter of the 2017 AFC Championship game against New England. Well, the NFL has apparently acknowledged that as well, although that obviously doesn't change the outcome of the game. Advertisement Let's rewind. The Jaguars were up 20-10 early in the fourth quarter of that game. The Patriots were just shy of midfield, and in an effort to drum up some offense, they dialed up a double-pass to Dion Lewis, who was picking up some chunk yardage on the play. But from behind came Jack, who forced the fumble, recovered it, and began running towards the Jaguars' end zone with a very clear path to six points. However, the refs blew the play dead, saying that Jack was down upon recovering the fumble. The Patriots' defense would go on to get a stop, rally from their 10-point deficit, and ultimately win the game, securing another Super Bowl berth. Now, back to today, Tom Coughlin was making a recent appearance on 1010XL with Dan Hicken and said that the NFL acknowledged that they got the call wrong. Advertisement "How you keep quiet over that one?" said Coughlin. "And I got the compulsory letter which said, we're so sorry. My response to the league was, 'do you realize what that would have meant to this town, this city, if that had been properly officiated?' Because the ball is in the end zone, right? There's nobody there left, and they get the ball, Brady takes it down, and like he's done so many times." That loss was the beginning of the end for Sacksonville. The Jaguars would go 5-11 in 2018 as numerous key players from that defense ended up elsewhere over the next few years. This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL acknowledges Jaguars' Myles Jack wasn't down in AFC Championship game
Newsweek
44 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Zack Baun Ends Fan Panic With Perfect 12-Word Message
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. We've all watched the Philadelphia Eagles for a while now. We may not have watched the game as long as someone who remembers the AFL/NFL merger, but we've certainly seen enough to make educated guesses. We've seen trends, a ton of football, and so many offseasons. We've seen divisional realignment and the NFL going from six divisions to eight. Raise your hand if you remember when the Arizona Cardinals were in the NFC East. Some memories are tougher, such as Reggie White leaving the Eagles in free agency. As sad as that was, however, everyone learned something from it. Losing the Minister of Defense still hurts, but life went on. That being said, an offseason like the most recent, one where so many familiar faces were lost, can be overcome. If you need a shot of confidence, look no further than Zack Baun's direction. Zack Baun #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana Zack Baun #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, LouisianaEagles All-Pro Zack Baun Eases Fan and Media Panic With 12 words Coooer DeJean and Reed Blankenship have hit a home run with their Exciting Mics brand. Their podcast is new, but it's loads of fun. Recently, they have interviewed Saquon Barkley. On an even more recent episode, Zack Baun sat down for a conversation. Baun signed an extension after the Super Bowl. He also saw the mass exodus by so many Eagles defenders that we all witnessed during free agency. Fans and the media panicked, but the fan favorite hasn't lost any of his confidence. "I feel like we're miles ahead of where we were last year"... Zack Baun on the Eagles defense heading into the season: 'I feel like we're miles ahead of where we were last year' — Exciting Mics (@excitingmics) June 12, 2025 Those were Baun's words during his interview with Reed and Coop. It sounds simple enough to say, but this is Philly. People need action more than words. Howie Roseman and his staff attacked free agency and the draft, stacking the defense with hungry players looking to make an impact. Philadelphia lost Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Darius Slay. They lost Isaiah Rodgers, Oren Burks, and Avonte Maddox. This offseason, they traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson away. Eventually, they moved on from Bryce Huff, but they've stacked the cupboard with low-risk signings and several exciting draftees. Philly is good at this. Adoree Jackson and Azeez Ojulari find their way to Philly from a rival. Josh Uche is another of the free-agent signings. So is Patrick Johnson. During the NFL Draft, they added Jihaad Campbell, Smael Mondon, Ty Robinson, and Andrew Mukuba. Philly didn't sit idly with their losses. They held serve at several positions and, dare we say, they upgraded at some others. They're also infused with youth. Guys like Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Kelee Ringo await their opportunities. Their time is now, and the consensus is they are ready. Vic Fangio has tons of talent to work with. All of that has been said to say this. Take Baun's words for it. Philly will be just fine on defense in 2025. Believe it or not, they may be better than they were last season.
