Finally.
After a long offseason of speculating about what the 2026 Philadelphia Eagles will look like, we’ll get to see them in action for ourselves on Sunday.
The last time we saw the Birds play a meaningful football game, it wasn’t very fun to watch. The Eagles ran 38 plays for 114 yards and six points in the second half of their season-ending playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Sorry to remind you of as much. But that bad feeling is relevant because it’s going to feel so good by contrast if
this year’s offense can get back on track. Sean Mannion was hired for that very reason. Will he show promise in his regular season debut?
It sure would be nice if he did. And while it’s hard to expect this new offense to be a finished product from the jump, there do need to be some positive signs. Especially since the Eagles aren’t exactly facing the 1985 Chicago Bears here.
As highlighted in our preview coverage, the Washington Commanders’ defense is exploitable. Sure, new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones could have some tricks up his sleeve. But Mannion could as well. And, moreover, the Commanders don’t have the talent on paper to be shutting the Eagles down.
The guess here is that the Birds will be leaning into the running game early and often. Saquon Barkley typically torments the Commanders.
Even if the Eagles’ offense doesn’t get off a scintillating start, this game should be winnable for them. This defense, which has the potential to be one of the very best in the NFL, needs to keep Jayden Daniels in check. Philadelphia’s defensive front going up against this weakened Commanders offensive line is the key matchup.
If the Eagles can get back to their bread and butter of dominating in the trenches, Hurts and Nick Sirianni will remain undefeated in season openers dating back to 2021.
Suggested format:
Score prediction:
Bold prediction:
My predictions:
Score prediction: 24 to 13, Eagles win.
Bold prediction: Darius Cooper scores the first touchdown of the Eagles’ 2026 season.
Your predictions:
Leave your own score predictions in the comments.
