The Philadelphia Eagles open the 2026 NFL season with a Week 1 meeting against the Washington Commanders, and it already feels like the kind of NFC East game that can tilt early momentum one way or the other.
Philadelphia won the division for a second straight season in 2025, but it didn’t exactly dominate the neighborhood, finishing 3-3 against division opponents. That leaves plenty of room for this opener to shape the conversation fast.
A few bold calls stand out as potential swing points for the Eagles in this one.
For starters, the Eagles’ front could have a huge day against Jayden Daniels. Washington is missing multiple starters on the offensive line, and that opens the door for Philadelphia’s pass rush to attack.
Jalyx Hunt, Jalen Carter, Moro Ojomo, and Jordan Davis are all names to watch if the Eagles are going to pile up pressure. Even if Jonathan Greenard is out because of his pectoral injury, the expectation here is that Daniels gets hit often and the Eagles finish with at least five sacks.
The ground game may not be nearly as smooth for Philadelphia. Saquon Barkley could be bottled up well under 50 rushing yards if Washington chooses to load the box and force the Eagles to win through the air. That would push more responsibility onto Jalen Hurts and the passing game right away.
Daniels, though, may create problems of his own with his legs. A prediction here has him rushing for more than 75 yards and scoring at least once, with his mobility becoming a real factor as he tries to escape pressure. The Eagles struggled against mobile quarterbacks last season, and that could be an issue again if Daniels is able to turn broken plays into big gains.
One receiver prediction to keep in mind: Dontayvion Wicks. With DeVonta Smith expected to draw plenty of attention, Wicks could have room to work against what is described as a weak Commanders secondary. The projection is that he leads the Eagles in receiving with more than 100 yards and possibly adds a touchdown, using his size and catch radius to create separation and hit on a few explosive plays.
And then there’s Hurts. Another bold call has him throwing for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns as he tries to make an early statement after an offseason filled with questions about his place among NFL quarterbacks. If the Eagles need a response game from their quarterback, this would be the kind of line that settles the argument quickly.
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Jalen Carter is one of the names drawing the loudest reaction, with the projection placing him among the leagues elite if his ascent continues. Riq Woolen also comes up as a player to watch for turnovers, and the broader outlook is just as ambitious, with the team expected to stay near the top of the NFC East conversation again. [Read more 🡒]