The Washington Commanders won't look exactly like the team the Philadelphia Eagles defeated in the NFC Championship Game, nor should they. One of the NFC East's most intriguing offenses has been reshaped by a new offensive coordinator in David Blough, an influx of draft picks, free-agent additions, and another offseason centered around franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Still, before the Eagles begin preparing for Washington's new-look attack, it's worth remembering the trends that defined the Commanders a season ago. Some exposed weaknesses Philadelphia can exploit. Others revealed strengths that still make Washington a dangerous divisional rival.
Jayden Daniels can't do everything himself
Few young quarterbacks possess more talent than Jayden Daniels. He showed flashes throughout
the 2025 season, throwing eight touchdowns against three interceptions while posting an 88.1 passer rating over seven games. The larger issue wasn't Daniels. It was the burden placed upon him.
Rather than continuing to surround their young quarterback with established offensive playmakers after an NFC Championship appearance, Washington frequently leaned on Daniels to elevate the offense himself. That's a difficult formula for any quarterback, let alone one still developing at the NFL level.
Philadelphia knows that containing Daniels remains the first step toward slowing Washington's offense.
The Commanders' offense struggled to find consistency
Outside of a productive rushing attack, Washington's offense rarely threatened opponents consistently. The Commanders averaged 20.9 points and 318.8 yards per game, ranking 22nd in both categories. They also converted just 37.57 percent of their third-down opportunities, often forcing their defense back onto the field.
There was one notable exception. Washington finished fourth in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging 134.7 yards per game, proving it could still control games on the ground when execution was sound.
Pressure off the edge became a recurring Commanders problem
Protecting Daniels has to become a priority. Rookie left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. endured an uneven first season, surrendering 9.5 sacks and 54 pressures. As a team, the Commanders allowed 37 sacks, a respectable middle-of-the-pack total that still featured too many drive-altering breakdowns from the offensive line.
The Eagles' talented pass rush will undoubtedly test whether Washington has solved those issues.
Red-zone success must become more consistent
On paper, the Commanders looked like one of football's better red-zone offenses. They converted 65.2 percent of their trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line into touchdowns, ranking fourth in the league. The season, however, told a more complicated story.
Washington excelled in scoring territory early in the year before that efficiency declined significantly as the season progressed. Finding greater consistency in the red zone will be one of David Blough's biggest challenges.
Washington's self-inflicted mistakes can't continue
Perhaps the Commanders' biggest opponent last season was themselves. Washington finished with a minus-13 turnover differential, repeatedly giving opponents extra possessions through giveaways and untimely mistakes. Drive-killing penalties—including false starts and holding calls—also placed the offense behind schedule far too often.
Talent can overcome many obstacles. Repeated self-inflicted mistakes usually aren't one of them.
New faces could change the Commanders' equation
The Commanders didn't stand still during the offseason. They added wide receiver Antonio Williams, running back Kaytron Allen and center Matt Gulbin through the draft while signing running backs Rachaad White and Jerome Ford along with tight end Chig Okonkwo in free agency.
Whether those additions are enough to unlock another level of the offense remains to be seen, but they give David Blough more versatility than the Commanders possessed a year ago.
The Eagles don't need to fear Washington's offense, but they certainly can't ignore it. Jayden Daniels remains one of the NFL's brightest young quarterbacks, the running game proved capable of carrying the offense at times and the Commanders have invested heavily in surrounding their franchise player with more help. The NFC East still runs through Philadelphia. Washington's offensive evolution is one reason the Eagles can't afford to become complacent.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Five Washington offensive weaknesses the Eagles can exploit
