The Washington Commanders fell in their season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the 24-22 score doesn’t really tell the whole story. The Commanders struggled mightily in the first half. Their timing was off on both sides of the ball, and it was unclear whether they could recover. The second half was a different story, though, as the Commanders seemed to find their rhythm. It wasn’t enough to win, but it was enough to show things are coming together.
This week, the Commanders are on the road again when they face the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys just lost to the New York Giants, so they’ll be out for blood, but the Commanders should feel good about how they ended Week 1 and will want to build on that.
As we enter Week
2, here’s where the Commanders rank across multiple power rankings.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 21 (25)
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.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: 22 (22)
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%."
Diante Lee, The Ringer: (28)
W
Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports: 26 (26)
Super Bowl odds: +6500
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.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 26 (26)
They showed well in hanging around against the Eagles on the road with a chance to tie it late. It had to be good to see Jayden Daniels healthy again.
Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated: 24 (27)
Last week’s result: lost to Eagles, 24–22This week: at Cowboys
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.
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, The Athletic: 25 (23)
Sunday: Lost to Eagles 24-22
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.
Up next: at Cowboys, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
theScore: 24 (23)
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.
Bleacher Report: 27 (25)
Week 1 Result: Lost at Philadelphia 24-22
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.
Walter Football: 25 (24)
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.
NFL Nation, ESPN: 23 (20)
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.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: NFL power rankings 2026: How do the Commanders fare entering Week 2?
