Just when it looked like the Washington Commanders would be sailing to 4-2 with a primetime win over the Chicago Bears, head coach Dan Quinn's squad snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
Jayden Daniels' botched hand-off to running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt under challenging conditions from the pistol formation eventually became their undoing. The Commanders are now firmly at a crossroads, and it's going to be a significant test of their resolve in the coming weeks to get this season back on track.
There looks like something off about this team right now. Things are not clicking as they did in 2024. Of course, the injuries haven't helped, but everything looks much harder.
It was all doom and gloom after Washington's loss on Monday Night Football, but they are still in the fight. Quinn's men are only one game behind the Philadelphia Eagles for the division lead, and the reigning Super Bowl champions aren't exactly firing on all cylinders either. Even so, the margin for error is quickly fading.
With this in mind, we took a look at how the Commanders could fare over their next five games after a 3-3 opening to the campaign.
Predicting the Commanders' next five games after their 3-3 start to 2025
Commanders at Cowboys - Week 7
Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: 4.25 p.m. ET
Venue: AT&T Stadium
Channel: FOX
There is no time for the Washington Commanders to wallow in self-pity. It's a short week, and their most hated rival awaits when Dan Quinn takes his players for a crunch clash with the Dallas Cowboys.
This is now a must-win matchup for both clubs. The Commanders cannot afford any more slip-ups, least of all against the Cowboys. The stakes are high, and Washington needs to buckle up accordingly.
All is not well in Dallas, either. They are missing some key personnel, and their defense has been nothing short of an abomination through the opening six games. A disastrous loss to the Carolina Panthers once again showcased just what this franchise is right now.
The Cowboys' offense can put up points in a hurry. Their defensive unit can't stop anybody, especially against the run. They are conceding a league-worst 411.7 yards per game on average, with 142.2 of those coming on the ground.
Prediction: Commanders win (4-3)
This is something the Commanders must take advantage of with Jayden Daniels, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Jeremy McNichols. If they can get the ground attack going and everything comes together defensively, Washington can win this one.