Are the Commanders in danger of not being a playoff team in 2025?

Are the Washington Commanders in danger of not being a winning team in 2025?

Who would have thought that possible the week leading into the season opener? The Commanders were returning many starters on both sides of the ball from their 2024 season, in which they were 12-5, won two road playoff games, and earned a trip to the NFC Championship Game.

But here we are, only six weeks into 2025, and there is reason (real reason) to be concerned.

• The Commanders' schedule still includes four divisional games against the Cowboys and Eagles, and a road game at the Giants, who beat the Eagles last week.
• AFC opponents remaining are the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos.
• NFC Opponents are the Seahawks, Lions and Vikings

Now, consider the Commanders' defense. They can't get off the field enough. You say, "Oh, Seattle won't be that tough of a game, will it?" Are you kidding me? With the Commanders' defense? I mean, Sam Darnold is leading the entire NFL with a robust 9.6 yards per passing attempt. That is a rather hefty, potent passing attack awaiting. What evidence could you possibly point to in Washington's defense that encourages you for that game?

Okay, so you say I'm overreacting about future opponents, being overly pessimistic? Well, let's consider the past, actual history. This way, there is no subjectivity in personal opinion clouding one's judgment. Consider the Bears' rushing attack this season. In their previous two games, the Bears managed to generate only 87 and 69 rushing yards against the Cowboys and Raiders. Yet,on Monday, the Bears rolled to a season high of 145 yards rushing against the Commanders.

Did you see how well the Commanders made Bears RB D'Andre Swift look on Monday? Swift looked like a stud, an elite running back out there. Yet, what had Swift accomplished thus far this season? His rushing totals thus far this season have been: 53 yards vs the Vikings, 63 yards vs the Lions, 33 yards vs the Cowboys, 38 yards vs the Raiders. But on Monday, against the Commanders' defense, Swift, in only 14 carries, ran for 108 rushing yards, which means he averaged 7.7 yards per carry against Washington.

The Commanders are in trouble, and Dan Quinn and Adam Peters know it. The loss of big DE Deitrich Wise has turned out to be bigger than we earlier realized. The Commanders signed DE Preston Smith a few weeks ago, then, after Monday night's performance, determined they needed to sign another defensive end, so they inked Drake Jackson, who was not on an NFL roster.

At 3-3, the remaining schedule is formidable, and the evidence thus far from this team is not encouraging. You can bet Quinn and Peters know much more than we do, just how serious it is.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders in danger of not being a winning team in 2025