The Commanders open their 2026 season against the Eagles this weekend, and it’s the kind of Week 1 matchup that can tell you a lot fast. Washington split the season series with Philadelphia last year, but the Eagles have taken three of the last four meetings in Philadelphia, and they’re widely expected to be a serious NFC contender again.
For the Commanders, this is more than just an early division game. It’s a test of how far they’ve come, and whether the upgrade they believe they made last season can show up against a heavyweight.
A big part of that starts with Jayden Daniels staying upright. Daniels is trying to bounce back from an injury-marred 2025 season, and Washington can’t afford a repeat of that kind of disruption.
Philadelphia racked up 42 sacks last year and brings real pressure with Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith Jr., and Jalen Carter. The Commanders also have to navigate life without Laremy Tunsil, which gives the Eagles a clear area to attack.
If Washington can move the ball quickly and keep Daniels in clean pockets, the offense has a chance to function. If not, the game could tilt fast.
The run game matters just as much. Washington was not good enough on the ground in 2025, even if Daniels’ absence explains some of that.
To be more balanced in 2026, the Commanders have to find a way to make their rushing attack matter. That’s especially relevant against an Eagles defense that allowed 124 rushing yards per game last season.
The backfield usage will be worth watching, too. Bill Croskey-Merritt showed flashes as a rookie, while Rachaad White arrived with a track record of being a capable starter.
Whoever gets the larger share of touches, Washington needs the Eagles to feel it.
On the other side, the Commanders should want Jalen Hurts throwing more than Philadelphia prefers. Without A.J.
Brown, the Eagles’ offense could lean even harder into the run, and that changes the math for Washington. If Hurts is forced to work through the air and DeVonta Smith becomes the primary target, the Commanders may like those odds better.
Philadelphia is at its best when it can control the clock and grind the game down with Hurts and Saquon Barkley. Taking away Hurts’ running lanes and making him throw is the cleaner path for Washington.
And then there’s the turnover battle, which might be the simplest key of all. Daniels has thrown just 12 interceptions in 24 career regular-season games, so when he’s healthy and the offense is rolling, giveaways haven’t been a major issue.
But last season, with injuries piling up, Washington finished with the second-worst turnover differential in the league. That’s not a recipe for winning, especially against a team like Philadelphia that usually makes opponents pay for mistakes while avoiding them itself.
In Other News...
Commanders Injury Report Brings Relief Before Week 1 But One Detail Matters
The first official injury report of the season gave the Commanders a noticeably healthier look than they had two weeks ago, a welcome development as Week 1 approaches. Odafe Oweh, Bill Croskey-Merritt and KLavon Chaisson were back in limited practice, while Nick Allegretti, Jordan Magee, Marcus Mariota, Charles Omenihu and Ben Sinnott were listed as full participants, a sign that the roster is moving in the right direction after an early stretch of health concerns.
Dan Quinn still had one important caveat, though, and it speaks to how early this part of the calendar remains. Everyone was out there in some form, but not everyone is working at the same intensity or for the same length of time, which means the report offers encouragement without fully answering how ready the group is for opening week. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Left Tackle Problem They Can't Ignore
The Commanders moved quickly to release D.J. Humphries shortly before their season opener, but the timing of the decision only sharpened an already uncomfortable problem up front. With Laremy Tunsil dealing with a torn triceps injury, Washington is expected to turn to third-round pick Brandon Coleman at left tackle, a spot that suddenly looks a lot less secure than it did when camp opened.
What makes the situation even more urgent is the lack of a clear answer behind Coleman. Washington has not made a corresponding roster move to replace Humphries, leaving the depth chart thin at one of the most important positions on the field. For a team trying to get through the early part of the season without its top option at left tackle, the margin for error is looking awfully small. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Still Have One Painfully Obvious Gap Heading Into Eagles Opener
The Commanders head into their 2026 opener in Philadelphia with a backfield that looks built more for sharing work than for carrying a game on its own. Washington is expected to lean on a running-back-by-committee approach, with Wild Bill, Rachaad White and rookie Kaytron Allen all in the mix as the team tries to find a rhythm before facing the defending Eagles on the road.
Even with that group in place, the position still stands out as the most obvious place for an upgrade if Washington wants more punch offensively. Saquon Barkley looms over that conversation as the kind of back who could instantly change what this offense looks like, which only sharpens the contrast between what the Commanders have now and what they may still be missing. [Read more 🡒]