The Washington Commanders will have high expectations to meet in 2025, following a season in which they shocked the NFL world by going 12-5 and reaching the final four.
Washington should have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. Adam Peters made significant roster adjustments over the summer to capitalize on what is suddenly a wide-open window. Most notably, the Commanders traded for wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to make life easier for second-year star quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The only problem for Washington is that the defending Super Bowl champions reside in their division. That will make winning the NFC East challenging, let alone getting to the biggest stage.
Mike Florio tips Commanders to dethrone Eagles atop NFC East in 2025
No team has won the NFC East in back-to-back years since the Philadelphia Eagles did so four consecutive times between 2001 and 2004. That streak is bound to end eventually, and the consensus suggests Nick Sirianni's men will be top of the pile once again in 2025.
Out of the 29 analysts who voted on division winners for a recent feature on NFL.com, no fewer than 28 thought the Eagles would triumph. But the Commanders did get one vote of confidence from an unlikely source.
Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk is a long-time critic of Washington's franchise, so this comes as somewhat of a surprise. In all likelihood, he just wanted to stand out from the crowd by placing the Commanders as his division victors.
Of those who didn't pick Washington to win the division, 13 additional analysts have the team making the playoffs. That still amounts to less than half of the panel, but collectively, the Commanders were voted as the third wild-card team behind the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
If this exercise shows anything, it's that the NFC figures to be extremely competitive this season.
All seven of last year's playoff teams look to contend once again. The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys might bounce back after injury-riddled 2024 campaigns. The Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals are among the squads that could potentially shake up the wild-card race.
Nothing ever comes easy in the NFL. The Commanders will have to keep that in mind as they look to prove last year was no fluke.
Of course, this applies doubly for the Eagles, who'll have the biggest target on their backs of anyone. That's why Washington shouldn't be counted out of upsetting the defending champs for a division crown.
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