The Philadelphia Eagles are set to take on the Washington Commanders in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
It's an early NFC East battle between two teams looking to get off to a fast start. The Eagles were not great in the division, going 3-3 in 2025 despite winning the division title for the second straight season.
There are five bold predictions that could define whether the Eagles win their regular season opener or could cost them the game. Here's a look at some bold predictions to keep in mind.
What are the bold predictions for the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 against the Washington Commanders?
1. Eagles' defense gets at least five sacks on Jayden Daniels
The Commanders are out multiple starters on the offensive line, which the Eagles need to exploit. Watch for guys like Jalyx Hunt, Jalen Carter, Moro Ojomo, and Jordan Davis to use and dominate on the line. Even if Jonathan Greenard ends up out for the game with his pectoral injury, the Eagles are going to harass Daniels all day long.
2. Saquon Barkley gets shut down for under 50 rushing yards against Commanders
Washington is going to force the Eagles to hurt them through the air, so don't be surprised if they load up the box with more guys. Barkley might end up getting off to a slow start to the season, and Philly could end up having to learn on Jalen Hurts to throw the football. We'll talk more in a bit about whether that's a good idea for the Commanders.
3. Jayden Daniels rushes for over 75 yards and at least one touchdown
Daniels could be on the opposite side of Barkley and have a strong day on the ground. This is mostly because he will be running for his life throughout the game, but he is healthier than last year and can use his legs to help the Commanders offense roll. The Eagles' defense struggled against mobile quarterbacks last year, and the same could happen again.
4. Dontayvion Wicks ends up being Eagles' leading receiver with over 100 yards
DeVonta Smith is going to command a lot of attention, which should open the door for Wicks to have a strong debut with the Eagles. Watch for him to at least get over 100 receiving yards and maybe sneak in a touchdown in the process. His height and catch radius should help separate him from the Commanders' weak secondary and produce some big plays.
Read more: 5 Eagles firmly on the hot seat entering pivotal 2026 season
5. Jalen Hurts passes for over 300 yards and two touchdown passes
Hurts is looking to make a statement in Week 1 after a whole offseason of questions about whether he is a good quarterback. Well, a 300+ yard game would be a good start, and throwing at least two touchdowns would also be good. Everyone always wants to doubt Hurts' ability to be a quarterback in the NFL, but he always knows when to answer the call of his doubters in a big way.
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