The Washington Commanders lost their season opener to the Philadelphia Eagles, and everyone is trying to find the positives…except for most power rankers. The Commanders were 5.5-point road underdogs, but lost by 24-22 after failing to convert on a game-tying two-point conversion. The defense was improved from last season, and it should have been with new starters in over half the positions. Jayden Daniels and the offense need work, but did enough in the 4th quarter to keep the game closer than Philly
wanted.
Week 1 is a weird one with less preseason games leading to rusty players and a lot of mental mistakes. The national media was very down on Washington heading into the season, and that hasn’t changed much after a tough division loss. The ceiling and the floor both raised after a “good” loss, but their average ranking rose less than a spot. The Commanders head to Dallas on Sunday for a division game against the Cowboys who were dominated by the New York Giants in primetime.
Washington ranks as high as #18 with high praise for this year’s free agency and draft classes. The other side of the spectrum has them ranked as low as #31, and some dark times in Washington.
- Winning the Super Bowl odds: +7,000
- To Make the Playoffs: Make +265, Miss -330
- Jayden Daniels MVP Odds: +3,000
- Jayden Daniels Comeback Player of the Year Odds: +1,000
- Washington Commanders Win Total O/U: Over 7.5(+105), Under 7.5(-125)
High: 16
Low: 27
Average: 23.1
#16
Pro Football Network (Infante)
The Washington Commanders deserve credit for how they fought back against the Eagles, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter and getting into position to tie the game up after a touchdown late in regulation. However, a failed two-point conversion saw the Commanders fall 24-22, kicking off their new season with a divisional loss.
Jayden Daniels only averaged 4.8 yards per attempt, and before the fourth quarter, he was largely ineffective for Washington’s offense. The Commanders got good pass-rushing production out of their new-look front seven, but their run defense was a major weakness; they allowed 5.4 yards per carry in the ground game against the Eagles’ dynamic backfield duo of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley.
#18
NFL Trade Rumors (Woodie)
All in all, it was an encouraging start for the Commanders. They didn’t get the win, but I thought Washington’s defense acquitted itself well. Even if there are lingering questions about the offensive line, we know what this offense can do. It’s the defense that was a bigger concern. While it was far from perfect, Washington’s defense kept them in the game at times. We’ll see if they can keep that up. Last week: 21
Essentially Sports (Hubbard)
The Washington Commanders are in for a dogfight in Philadelphia. Even with the loss, it’s still an encouraging loss for Washington. The offense will settle in under David Blough throughout the week, but the defense was more impressive. The unit held the Eagles to 318 total yards and limited Saquon Barkley to 83 rushing yards. Last week: 19
#20
Team Rankings
Last week: 21
#21
USA Today (Davis)
Despite all the summer handwringing about the offensive line, QB Jayden Daniels was only sacked once and hit twice Sunday. Clean up their mental errors, and the Commanders likely escape Philly with a W. Last week: 25
#22
Yahoo Sports (Schwab)
Everything was labored with Jayden Daniels and the Commanders’ offense. The line didn’t protect well but Daniels often held the ball too long, perhaps because his receivers weren’t getting open. He averaged 3.41 seconds per throw, the slowest among all QBs through Sunday’s games, per Next Gen Stats. (H/T to reporter Tashan Reed for pointing that out.) The Eagles have a good defense and that led to some of the issues. But the opener wasn’t a good omen, especially for new coordinator David Blough. At least he has Daniels in his corner. The QB defended the shovel pass play that the Eagles stuffed on a 2-point conversion attempt, preventing a tie in the final minute of regulation. “It was the right call,” Daniels told reporters postgame. “Anything Blough calls, man. I’m with him. Regardless, however everybody else might want to view it, man, I’m with Blough 100%.” Last week: 22
AZ Central (Cluff)
Jayden Daniels went 18-for-34 for 164 yards and two touchdowns in his return for the Commanders and also had Washington in position for a nice comeback late in the game. Last week: 20
Stadium Rant (North)
The Commanders would’ve liked to see a little more from the offense against Philadelphia. They struggled to consistently move the ball in the first half and couldn’t capitalize on a tired Eagles defense in the fourth quarter.
#23
ESPN
Non-QB newcomer debut: LB Sonny Styles
Styles finished with one sack, in which he trucked running back Saquon Barkley en route to Jalen Hurts, as well as two tackles for a loss and a QB hit. Styles got caught out of position on a 43-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Goedert — but that was because Styles and two teammates pointed at Goedert at the snap, expecting a false start call. Styles also took over playcalling duties when Frankie Luvu injured his groin. The No. 7 pick wasn’t perfect, but it was a good debut. Last week: 20
Sharp Football Analysis (Summerlin)
Despite a mixed offensive performance, the Commanders were just a failed two-point try away from tying the game with the Eagles and potentially forcing overtime. That’s promising, but the offense will need to be more consistent, and the defense will need to give up fewer big plays moving forward. Last week: 23
Fansided (La Canfora)
They showed up and they played hard. But Jayden Daniels did not look comfortable in that offense at all until they had to get desperate late. Might need more option looks and designed runs. I think it’s going to be a long season, but they gave the Eagles a game. Last week: 26
Deadspin (Weiler)
OL struggles made life hard for Jayden Daniels, who still nearly led a comeback.
#24
Sports Illustrated (Orr)
It’s not a consolation prize, but to be one boneheaded Stefon Diggs decision away from taking your division rivals to extra innings is no small task, especially with a totally revamped defense and new coordinators on both sides. Still, Jayden Daniels looked pedestrian and the Commanders had a lower offensive success rate in the first weekend than the Titans. Last week: 18
Sporting News (Iyer)
Jayden Daniels was struggling for much of the day in Philadelphia but got revved up late by trusting the running game and new weapons Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams. That late rally that fell short will give Commanders hope that Daniels is getting back on track. Dan Quinn, however, should keep feeling the heat after a frustrating two-point loss. Last week: 21
The Score
Bad vibes will ruin the team. The Commanders don’t look anything like the electric team that reached the NFC title game during Jayden Daniels’ rookie season. The third-year passer was mocked in the offseason for his odd dispute with LSU over the No. 5 jersey. Dan Quinn is a popular pick for the first coach to be fired this season. And Stefon Diggs committed a costly penalty in his team debut. On and off the field, the energy around the 2026 Commanders doesn’t feel right. Last week: 23
#25
NFL.com (Shook)
I heard the complaints from you, Commanders fans, about where I had placed Washington in my rankings last week and your team had your back on Sunday. Dan Quinn’s squad came up short but battled for four quarters with the reigning NFC East champion Eagles. The Commanders were a two-point conversion away from potentially forcing overtime in a game many expected them to lose by double-digits. I give credit where it’s due, and while the passing attack was far from consistent, Washington showed much more fight than I expected. Last week: 31
The Athletic (Graff/Kendall)
What we learned: Offensive issues raise questions
Touchdowns on Washington’s final two drives offered some hope, but the Commanders still managed just 4.4 yards per play in the debut of new offensive coordinator David Blough. Stefon Diggs drew a penalty that wiped away their hope of a game-tying 2-point conversion attempt, but at least Jayden Daniels stayed healthy. Last week: 23
Clutch Sports (Johrendt)
It was a good sight to see Jayden Daniels back on the field for the Commanders, but a Week 1 loss to the Eagles kicked off the 2026 NFL season on the wrong foot. Daniels connected with Stefon Diggs and rookie Antonio Williams for scores, while Jacory Croskey-Merritt took the majority of touches in the backfield, rushing for 63 yards and a score.
No turnovers for Daniels is a good sign, but only throwing for 164 yards and having a completion percentage under 60 percent shows a few areas of improvement for both Daniels and the WAS offense. Last week: 25
Walter Football
The Redskins were a dumpster fire in training camp and the preseason. However, they held their own in Philadelphia and were a two-point conversion away from going to overtime. Despite the loss, that result should be seen as a positive going forward. Last week: 24
Windy City Gridiron (Leming)
Initial Week 1 Thought: It felt like the Commanders were never truly in their two-point loss to the Eagles, but more importantly, how sustainable is David Blough’s offense if it takes three quarters for Jayden Daniels to surpass 100 yards? The defense looked much improved, but the offense raises serious questions, especially about how quickly they abandoned the under-center approach. Last week: 23
#26
Fox Sports (Vacchiano)
Jayden Daniels didn’t look like his old, dynamic self, but the Commanders still nearly upset the Eagles. Not sure whether that says more about Washington or Philadelphia. Last week: 26
Kalshi
Last week: 24
#27
Bleacher Report
Sunday’s road loss to the rival Eagles may well haunt the Commanders for some time—because of how Washington lost. The Commanders showed resilience in coming back on the road from a 14-3 deficit. They were admittedly outgained in the game, but only by about 20 yards. Washington had twice as many first downs as the Eagles.
Twice in the fourth quarter, the Commanders were a two-point conversion away from tying the score. But a celebration penalty by Stefon Diggs made the first impossible, and the second came up just short. It’s not the end of the world—Washington hasn’t won in Philadelphia since 2022. But two years ago, when the Commanders made it to the NFC Championship Game, this was the type of game the team found a way to win.
And with a tough schedule over the next month-plus, they needed to find a way in Week 1.Everyone is eager to see Jayden Daniels return to the form he showcased as Offensive Rookie of the Year two seasons ago. However, I’m not convinced that having the quarterback healthy and playing at a high level will be enough to return Washington to contention.
This is a team that had serious flaws in 2025 that extended beyond its injury issues. Its offense was short on playmakers, and its defense was the worst in the league in terms of yards allowed.
The Commanders will have to prove they’re better, not just healthier, on both sides of the ball to rise in our power rankings. Last week: 25
New York Post (Dunleavy)
Where should the Commanders be ranked? Let us know in the comments.
