Your enemy. Do you know them? Well, you will. It’s Know Your Enemy time for the 2025 NFL season. Training camp starts in a few weeks and the Lions are ready to 3peat winning the North. The NFC North squares off against the entire NFC East and AFC North this season, which is probably considerably tougher than 2024 AFC South and NFC West. Let’s start with the Washington Commanders so I can talk about the Lions getting sweet sweet revenge on November 9.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders had a resurgence with new coach Dan Quinn last year. Washington went 12-5 in 2024 with 7-2 home record and 5-3 road record and made it to the NFC Championship game (losing to Eagles) with a fluke win over the super injured but tru SB Champ Lions (15-2, NFC North champ) in the divisional round.
Offense
OC Kliff Kingsbury returns with Washington scoring 28.5 PPG (5th) enjoying sensational rookie QB Jayden Daniels (69% 3,568 yards 25 TDs 9 ints and 100.1 QB rating and (891yards 6 YPC and 6 TDs).
Washington returns Brian Robinson (4.3 YPC 799 yards as their top back) and Austin Ekeler (4.8 YPC). Their running game gets boost with the trade for Laremy Tunsil at LT and drafting Josh Conerly in Round 1 to battle Andrew Wylie at RT. Tyler Biadasz is a solid center, Brandon Coleman enters year 2 as the LG and Sam Cosmi is a good RG. Washington improved their offensive line and should have a strong run game plus Daniels causing havoc.
Weapons the Commanders have Terry McClaulin (1,096 yards and 13 TDs) as their top guy (but in a contract dispute). Washington traded for Deebo Samuel to upgrade over the departed Dyami Brown. Noah Brown returns as the 3rd WR (451 yards and 1 TD) and Zach Ertz at TE (654 yards and 7 TDs). Luke McCaffery enters year 2 as depth/returner along with rookie 4th round pick Jaylin Lane. Michael Gallup added as WR vet depth. Washington has plenty of weapons for Daniels and Kingsbury.
Washington will have a top 5 offense again.
Defense
Washington was average on defense allowing 23 PPG under DC Joe Whitt. Darron Payne returns at DT and Javon Kinlaw/Eddie Golman were added but a downgrade to Jonathan Allen (Vikings). JerZhan Newton is good second round depth at DT. Dorance Armstrong, Clein Ferrell, newly added Deatrich Wise (from Patriots) and Jacob Martin (from Bears) is an underwhelming EDGE group.
Washington has two great LBs in Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. They make a ton of plays.
Jonathan Jones was added at CB from New England along with Marshon Lattimore who was a mid-season trade last season. Strong veteran starters. Mike Sainistril had a great rookie season at slot corner and will build off that. Quan Martin is a 2023 2nd round pick that needs to step up and former Lion Will Harris was added. Safety looks weak after Camren Curl left in free agency.
Washington looks average again on defense and maybe a little worse.
Schedule
Washington visits Green Bay in Week 2 on Thursday Night Football and Minnesota Week 14. Washington hosts Chicago on MNF in Week 6 and Detroit in Week 10 with LKP in attendance. This will be a tough game for the entire North given the Commanders’ offense/upgrades but they are beatable in a shootout. Lions will surely beat them as revenge.