The Washington Commanders face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field to open their 2026 NFL season. It’s a rematch from Week 18 of the 2025 season, when Washington defeated Philadelphia 24-17.
Of course, these teams looked much different on that day just over eight months ago. The starting quarterbacks were Josh Johnson (Washington) and Tanner McKee (Philadelphia. Johnson was the Commanders’ No. 3 quarterback and was in the starting lineup with Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota both injured. McKee started for the Eagles, as head coach Nick Sirianni chose to rest Jalen Hurts and the rest of his starters for the playoffs.
The Commanders have enjoyed more success in Philadelphia over the past few years than the rest
of the NFC East. Can that success continue on Sunday?
It’s time for our Week 1 picks.
Bryan Manning
It’s been a wild month for the Commanders. When Washington signed Stefon Diggs, everyone was excited. Daniels now had a wide receiver duo in Terry McLaurin and Diggs, a huge improvement over his first two seasons. However, the narrative slowly shifted when left tackle Laremy Tunsil was lost for the season — or most of the season — with a torn triceps. In a joint practice with the Ravens last month, the offensive line struggled. A message posted on X called the offensive line “inoperable.” National analysts who don’t watch Washington on a day-to-day basis jumped aboard the negativity. Since then, most analysts have the Commanders behind the Giants in the NFC East.
Everything requires context. Washington was without three starting offensive linemen that day: Tunsil, center Nick Allegretti and right guard Sam Cosmi. I don’t believe for a minute that the Commanders will be as terrible as the national narrative suggests. In fact, barring health, of course, I expect Washington to compete for a playoff spot. What happens in Week 1?
I believe this game comes down to the wire. Washington’s offensive line will be much better than what many think. It will require some cohesion, with Allegretti missing all of training camp, and Philly’s defensive line is a tough matchup. Daniels will pass for a couple of touchdowns, but Washington doesn’t get enough from its running game. Daronte Jones’ defense has a terrific debut, but comes up just short.
Eagles 20, Commanders 16
Ivan Lambert
For the last two weeks, every prognostication has predicted the Commanders to be anywhere from the 20th to 31st team this season. 31st team in the NFL this season? The Commanders, of course, realize everyone is writing them off for 2026. They know they have a lot to prove.
The Commanders are going into a tough environment today, and though they may not win, they are going to show they will not be a walkover in 2026. Unfortunately, it's not enough to come away with the upset in Week 1.
Eagles 24, Commanders 20
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders vs. Eagles: We make our picks and predictions for Week 1
