The Washington Commanders took the NFL by storm last season with Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn leading the franchise to a 12-5 record and an NFC Championship appearance in Year 1.
After a four-win season in 2023, that was quite the jump from a franchise often seen as the laughingstock of the NFL. But now, the Commanders, as they enter 2025, won't be able to strike from the shadows, the rest of the league knows they're coming.
With Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil signed in free agency, the Commanders again, on paper, look to have improved to take advantage of Jayden's rookie contract.
But as we know, success in the NFL isn't an exact science, and just because a team is good one year, it doesn't mean it will be the next.
For ESPN, while the Commanders' over/under win total is set at 10.5, writer Mike Clay thinks 8.5 is where the franchise will land.
So there is merit to thinking the Commanders won't win 12 games again, and we have seen Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud take a little step back in Year 2, although he still made the playoffs.
But is 8.5 a little low? That idea is surely upsetting to DC fans. One could envision Washington winning nine games in 2025, but the schedule is tough.
The Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys (twice), the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and the Detroit Lions are all on the schedule.
Daniels' rookie season was a sight to behold, but now the franchise can't sneak up on anyone - they know Washington is coming.
Is a regression coming to the nation's capital?
