As the NFL’s 2025-2026 season inches closer, there’s already one glaring challenge staring the Washington Commanders square in the face: fatigue.
While every team must weather the grind of a 17-game schedule, some rosters are burdened with more taxing conditions than others, and the Commanders are among those getting the short end of the stick.
According to Sportsbook Review’s NFL Fatigue Index, a detailed evaluation of each team’s rest schedule, travel burden and internal body-clock disruption, the Commanders rank as the 5th most fatigued team in the league heading into the new season, according to the index, released July 6.
With a fatigue score of 89.25, Washington is bracing for one of the most physically and mentally demanding slates in the NFL.
SportsBook Review
From excessive travel miles to ill-timed short-rest matchups, the Commanders are fighting more than just their weekly opponents. They’re going to be battling the calendar and the clock all season long.
Short Rest, Long Problems
One of the most troubling aspects of the Commanders’ 2025 schedule is the five games on short rest, a number tied for the most in the entire NFL. That statistic alone puts players at a higher risk for fatigue-related injuries, sluggish performances, and diminished recovery time between games.
Even worse, four of those five games come with a clear rest disadvantage, meaning the Commanders will take the field with fewer days of preparation and recovery than their opponents. One key example is a crucial Week 16 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, in which Washington will be on a short week while Philly comes in better rested. That late-season stretch could play a pivotal role in playoff seeding or elimination.
On top of that, the Commanders face a brutal -13 net rest differential, one of the worst in the league. That number captures how often a team has less rest than their opponents throughout the season. With nearly two full weeks of rest disadvantage spread across their schedule, Washington’s margin for error will be razor-thin, especially in the tightly packed NFC East.
Olympic sports psychologist Dr. Jason Scott Hamilton warns about the compounding effect of fatigue, especially in the NFL’s high-stakes, high-impact environment.
“A fatigued brain is more prone to mental fumbles,” Hamilton said, according to Sportsbook Review’s C. Jackson Howart. “Franchises must treat invisible fatigue as aggressively as visible injury, or they risk burnout, poor performance, and long-term damage.”
This could mean heightened risk not only to the Commanders’ record but to the health and longevity of their top players, including quarterback Jayden Daniels, fresh off a stellar rookie campaign.
Madrid Mayhem & the Unfriendly Bye
Washington’s schedule is not just compressed, it’s disorienting. One of the major curveballs comes in the form of an international trip to Madrid on November 16, when they’ll play the Miami Dolphins in one of the NFL’s new global series games. While the trip offers brand exposure and a unique experience for players and fans, it comes at a significant physical cost.
Immediately following that overseas clash, the Commanders won’t get a break. Their bye week doesn’t arrive until Week 12, making it one of the latest in the NFL. That means players will have to push through 11 straight weeks of action, including cross-country flights and body-clock shock, before they can finally catch their breath.
For context, teams that travel overseas are typically granted earlier byes to allow for jetlag recovery and injury rehab. Washington didn’t get that luxury.
Combine the travel fatigue from their 10,744 total miles on the road which is the 10th most in the league, with the late bye, and it’s easy to see why experts flagged the Commanders’ schedule as one of the most grueling of 2025.
Here’s how Washington stacks up against the NFL’s 10 most fatigued teams, according to the Fatigue Index:
The top 10 most fatigued teams are:
Rank Team Travel Miles Fatigue Score
1. Los Angeles Rams 17,652 105.09
2. Los Angeles Chargers 18,563 102.56
3. Seattle Seahawks 16,133 97.72
4. Las Vegas Raiders 11,458 89.85
5. Washington Commanders 10,744 89.25
6. Atlanta Falcons 12,063 88.78
7. San Francisco 49ers 14,143 88.69
8. Jacksonville Jaguars 14,512 86.37
9. Minnesota Vikings 9,977 84.71
10. Miami Dolphins 12,217 82.50
While West Coast teams like the Rams, Chargers, and Seahawks naturally deal with more travel, Washington’s position in the top five is due primarily to rest disadvantages and schedule compression, not geography. That’s what makes their challenge uniquely difficult.
For the Commanders to make a deep playoff push in 2025, they’ll need to lean on depth, discipline, and durability. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters have built a roster with promising young talent and veteran leadership, but this season will test the team’s endurance like never before.
The phrase “every week matters” has never been truer. With the odds stacked against them from a fatigue standpoint, Washington can’t afford mental lapses or slow starts. Every rep, every snap, and every hour of recovery will count.
The Commanders may be running on empty at times, but if they can navigate this schedule, it could harden them into one of the league’s most battle-tested playoff contenders.
