The Eagles open the season with a divisional matchup against the Washington Commanders, and the early edge points straight through the middle of the line of scrimmage. Philadelphia’s interior offensive line is better than Washington’s interior defensive line, and that mismatch could shape the game from the start.
Washington’s run defense was a problem all last season. The Commanders finished 30th against the run at 141.8 yards allowed per game, gave up 4.8 yards per carry, and surrendered 18 rushing touchdowns. They also didn’t make any major defensive tackle additions to fix that issue.
Instead, they’re leaning on Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw at defensive tackle, and neither profile suggests a quick turnaround against the run. Kinlaw has posted a run defense grade of 50 or lower in each of the last six seasons on Pro Football Focus.
Payne hasn’t finished above 58 in run defense over the past five seasons. Those two are expected to handle most of the snaps inside for Washington.
That’s exactly the kind of setup the Eagles can punish. Philadelphia wants to run the ball, and with A.J.
Brown no longer in town, the offense should lean even harder on Saquon Barkley. Up front, Tyler Steen, Cam Jurgens, and Landon Dickerson bring real force in the run game.
All three finished last season with a run-blocking grade of 65 or better on PFF.
Barkley has also had Washington’s number. In four straight games against the Commanders, he has topped 118 rushing yards, and Philadelphia won three of those four meetings.
The Commanders did draft linebacker Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick, but asking a rookie to make an immediate difference in his first game is a big ask. Nothing in Washington’s offseason suggests the run defense is suddenly ready to hold up.
For the Eagles, the path is obvious: keep pounding the ball, control the clock, stay on schedule, and let that ground game create easier looks for Jalen Hurts and the passing attack. That approach fits this matchup perfectly, and it’s the one Philadelphia should be ready to ride in Week 1.
Washington hasn’t shown it can slow Barkley, and there’s no reason to expect that to change here. The Commanders’ offense will look different under Sean Mannion in 2026, but to open the season, the Eagles have every reason to attack on the ground and make their strength Washington’s problem.
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