Jayden Daniels hasn't faced the Eagles since Philadelphia ended Washington's breakthrough 2024 season in the NFC Championship Game. A lot has happened since.
Daniels battled injuries throughout 2025 and ultimately missed the final four games, but he's healthy entering Year 3and now operates an offense coordinated by David Blough. The Commanders want Daniels under center more frequently, incorporating additional play action and balance into an attack that had previously leaned heavily on the shotgun.
The weapons aren't bad, either. Terry McLaurin remains the centerpiece, while Stefon Diggs and tight end Chig Okonkwo give Daniels additional options in the passing game. The concern is what's happening in front of him. Washington no longer has Laremy
Tunsil protecting Daniels' blind side, forcing changes along an offensive line that could have its hands full with Jalen Carter and Philadelphia's defensive front.
The Eagles' ability to generate pressure without losing rush-lane discipline against one of the NFL's most dangerous scrambling quarterbacks could define the afternoon. Philadelphia has undergone some changes of its own. A.J. Brown is now in New England, leaving DeVonta Smith as Jalen Hurts' top receiver, while first-time offensive coordinator Sean Mannion takes over a unit that finished just 24th in yards last season. Saquon Barkley is also trying to rebound after dropping from 2,005 rushing yards in 2024 to 1,140 last season. Three of the four coordinators in this matchup are new to their current roles.
Good luck knowing exactly what either offense will look like. There is some familiarity, though. Washington is 44-44-2 all-time in Philadelphia and is looking to win consecutive road games against the Eagles for the first time since 2015-16.
Eagles vs Commanders odds, moneyline, over/under
Opening lines:
- Spread: Eagles -5.5
- Moneyline: Eagles -235; Commanders +205
- Total: 44.5
Get the edge with our exclusive NFL betting picks
Commanders at Eagles score predictions
Adam Kaufman: Eagles 20, Commanders 13
Jalen Hurts is 32-7 as a home favorite in his career, including a 12-1 mark within the NFC East. Even with the Eagles potentially taking a step back offensively following the trade of A.J. Brown, that's enough for me here given the obvious question marks surrounding Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. Daniels couldn't stay healthy last season and, when he did play, rarely resembled what we saw during his standout rookie campaign in 2024. Making matters worse, Laremy Tunsil isn't available to keep him upright against a stout Eagles front. Losing Brown may hurt, but Hurts still has weapons in DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert. Philadelphia can lean on Barkley and a formidable offensive line while Hurts picks his spots through the air. Washington may eventually find its footing with a healthy Daniels. Philadelphia at home isn't where I'd expect it to happen.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Eagles 26, Commanders 19
How Sean Mannion's offense fares out of the gate figures to be one of the early NFL season's most intriguing mysteries. Pushing Jalen Hurts out of his comfort zone seems bound to produce some rough patches, so expect some early turbulence for the Eagles. Yet Philadelphia doesn't need to be in top form to take advantage of a Commanders defense that ceded the third-most rushing yards of any team last year. Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels probably will find it hard to crack Vic Fangio's group, which could cause massive disruption up front against a line that could be a liability without Laremy Tunsil.
Nate Davis: Eagles 27, Commanders 17
I'll take the NFC East team breaking in a new offensive coordinator who was a career backup quarterback in the league five minutes ago. Oh, right, not sufficient analysis to make a pick in this case. Honestly, this could be a rather ragged affair aesthetically. But the key difference would seem to be a quality Philly defense facing a Washington offense that looked overwhelmed in August. Much as Commanders fans might not want to see Jayden Daniels bolting from the pocket, he might not have many better options.
Richard Morin: Eagles 27, Commanders 21
The Eagles are better than the Commanders. The Eagles are at home. The Commanders are on the road. We really don't need to get too much deeper than that. I'd be wary of inflated spreads here because it is an intra-division matchup and Week 1 means both teams will come in fully loaded with confidence. That layer adds a certain tinge of unpredictability for Sunday, but I feel pretty confident laying at least two field goals in favor of Philadelphia.
Where to watch Commanders at Eagles
- Matchup: Eagles vs. Commanders
- Date: Sept. 13
- Time: 4:25 p.m.
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- TV: Fox
NFL Week 1 Sunday picks and predictions
- Buccaneers at Bengals
- Saints at Lions
- Jets at Titans
- Ravens at Colts
- Falcons at Steelers
- Bears at Panthers
- Browns at Jaguars
- Bills at Texans
- Dolphins at Raiders
- Packers at Vikings
- Commanders at Eagles
- Cardinals at Chargers
- Cowboys at Giants
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Commanders at Eagles: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 1 game
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