The season’s just starting and the Washington Commanders have a massive NFC East clash right out of the gate. There’s no easing into a crucial 2026 campaign, with a road game in Philadelphia to start us off.
This longstanding rivalry is a passionate one, with little love for those on the other side. This Week 1 matchup is intriguing for all the mystery surrounding two teams that know each other well.
Three of the four play callers are brand new, without a history in the job to draw from. Commanders
offensive coordinator David Blough was promoted from within. Washington defensive coordinator Daronte Jones was hired away from Minnesota.
Philadelphia brought new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion in from Green Bay. Incumbent Eagles DC Vic Fangio is about as creative as they come.
So it’s fair to expect plenty of unscouted looks and surprise decisions as the three new guys start showing us what they’re all about.
That brings us to the first question in a new Hogs Haven feature. It’s a reverse Q & A, if you will, where I bring up the topics and you address them in the comments. This story series will publish on a Thursday morning and I’ll update it that same evening by featuring some of the answers from the comments in the original story.
So, with all that in mind, a few questions for you:
Question 1: Which new coordinator will have the biggest impact on this game? There are some good options, especially on the Commanders side.
Question 2: What kind of impact do you expect Commanders rookie linebacker Sonny Styles to have on this game? What role will he have in his first (real) NFL game?
Question 3: Which Washington position group (no quarterbacks, please) will have the biggest impact on Sunday, and why?
Question 4: We’ve heard nothing but good things about Jayden Daniels coming out of camp. What are your expectations for Washington’s quarterback heading into Week 1?
Question 5: Which Philadelphia Eagles player or matchup poses the biggest threat to a Commanders victory?
Pick a topic (or better yet, all five) and provide your answer in the comments below. We’ll feature one or two of the top responses in the main story on Thursday evening:
