The Philadelphia Eagles didn't deliver a flawless performance in their 2026 season opener, but Nick Sirianni's team looked prepared and made enough timely plays to secure a 24-22 victory over the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.
Jalen Hurts threw three touchdown passes, Dallas Goedert found the end zone twice, and the defense stopped Washington’s potential game-tying two-point conversion during the final minutes. Philadelphia also got key contributions from Dontayvion Wicks, Zack Baun, Jalen Carter, and Braden Mann.
The Eagles are 1-0, but the numbers show both how they won and what must improve before Week 2. Here are 10 statistics via Eagles Communications that tell the story of Philadelphia’s season-opening victory.
1. Nick Sirianni improved to 6-0 in season openers
The Eagles
have won their season opener in each of Sirianni’s six seasons as head coach. Philadelphia is the only NFL team to go undefeated during Week 1 since 2021.
According to Elias Sports, Sirianni became the fifth coach in league history to win each of his first six season openers. Philadelphia has also won six consecutive kickoff-weekend games for the first time in franchise history, excluding the 1943 Steagles era.
2. Jalen Hurts joined an exclusive group of quarterbacks
Hurts became the third quarterback since 1950 to win each of his first six season-opening starts, joining Roger Staubach and Johnny Unitas.
His six-game winning streak in openers is tied for the fourth-longest by a quarterback since the 1970 merger. Only Tom Brady, Dan Marino and Staubach produced longer streaks.
3. Hurts threw three touchdown passes without an interception
Hurts completed 14 of 25 passes for 203 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, finishing with a 122.2 passer rating. He added 48 rushing yards, including a critical 22-yard scramble on third-and-18 during the fourth quarter.
The three touchdown passes increased Hurts’ career total to 113, tying Carson Wentz for fourth place in Eagles history. Hurts overcame consistent pressure and an uneven second half to deliver when Philadelphia needed him most.
4. Dontayvion Wicks produced a career-long 64-yard reception
Wicks made an immediate impact during his Eagles debut. His 64-yard reception helped set up Philadelphia’s first touchdown and surpassed his previous career-long of 36 yards.
It was also Hurts’ longest completion since his 79-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith against Minnesota in October 2025. Wicks later caught a 12-yard touchdown, finishing with two receptions for 73 yards and a score.
5. Saquon Barkley recorded another run of at least 40 yards
Barkley rushed 15 times for 83 yards, with most of his production coming on a 42-yard burst that set up Wicks’ touchdown reception.
The explosive run gave Barkley an NFL-leading 14 carries of at least 40 yards since the beginning of the 2024 season, including the playoffs. Although Washington limited his consistency, Barkley again demonstrated that one crease can change a possession.
6. Dallas Goedert scored twice for the fourth time since 2025
Goedert caught four passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns. His 17-yard score gave Philadelphia its first lead before his 43-yard catch-and-run restored an eight-point advantage during the fourth quarter.
Goedert has four games with multiple receiving touchdowns since the start of the 2025 season. That is tied with Davante Adams and Amon-Ra St. Brown for the most in the NFL over that span. He has also scored seven touchdowns across his past six home games, including the playoffs.
7. Jalen Carter recorded his fourth blocked kick
Carter blocked Washington’s extra-point attempt late in the second quarter, allowing the Eagles to carry a 14-9 lead into halftime.
The defensive tackle has blocked four kicks since entering the NFL in 2023, including two field goals and two extra points. He is tied for second in the league over that period, trailing only Denico Autry. Carter’s block became especially important in a game decided by two points.
8. Zack Baun allowed minus-2 receiving yards
Baun was one of Philadelphia’s most productive defenders, finishing with 12 tackles, four run stops, two passes defended and one tackle for loss.
According to Next Gen Stats, Baun was targeted six times and allowed three receptions for minus-2 yards. He is one of only two defenders since 2025 to receive at least five targets in a game without surrendering positive yardage, joining Cleveland cornerback Denzel Ward.
9. Braden Mann placed four punts inside the 20-yard line
Philadelphia’s offense struggled to sustain possessions during portions of the second half, placing additional pressure on Mann and the punt coverage unit.
Mann responded by averaging 51.6 yards across seven punts. He delivered two punts of at least 60 yards and placed four inside Washington’s 20-yard line, matching the highest single-game total of his Eagles career.
10. Philadelphia won despite being outgained in first downs, 20-10
Washington doubled Philadelphia’s first-down total and controlled possession for 33 minutes, 20 seconds. The Eagles had the ball for only 26:40 and opened the second half with three consecutive three-and-outs.
Philadelphia still finished with a 318-295 advantage in total yards and converted six of 14 third downs, compared with Washington’s 5-of-15 performance. Explosive plays, three Hurts touchdown passes, Carter’s blocked extra point and the failed Washington two-point attempt ultimately outweighed the Commanders’ advantage in sustained possession.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 10 stats that defined the Eagles’ 24-22 win over the Commanders
