The Philadelphia Eagles are favored to beat the Washington Commanders in Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, but fans shouldn't expect it to be easy at all.
Last year, the Eagles were mixed against the NFC East, going 3-3 and splitting the series with all three teams. Every division game is hard, but the Commanders have been very competitive against the Eagles since Washington drafted quarterback Jayden Daniels in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Still, the Eagles are expected to pick up the win against the Commanders no matter how hard it is. They did receive a warning before the game, though, which could make things more interesting.
Commanders expert shares his blunt thoughts on upcoming Eagles Week 1 game
Riggo's Rag site expert Dean Jones spoke with Inside the Iggles to share his thoughts on the regular season opener. Jones warned that this Commanders team might be different, but they are full of surprises.
"After an offseason of immense changes, there are several unknowns around the Commanders heading into the season. But they also have the element of surprise working in their favor in Week 1.
They have a new-look roster. They have two new coordinators on offense and defense. They also have quarterback Jayden Daniels healthy and a potentially prolific receiver tandem of Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin.
The defense should be much improved, led by big-money signing Odafe Oweh and rookie linebacker Sonny Styles. It won't be easy for Dan Quinn's squad, especially early in the season, but the Eagles would be wise not to expect a walkover."
Washington finished third in the NFC East last year with a 5-12 overall record. A major reason for the struggles was Daniels missing most of the season due to multiple major injuries.
Despite losing key pieces like Von Miller, the Commanders retooled the roster and look better on paper. All of it falls on whether Daniels stays healthy and plays as he did in his rookie season.
Philly's offense should be in a good position going into the game. Concerns remain about how Jalen Hurts will adjust to almost all new receivers and to working with offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. However, with the offensive line and Saquon Barkley, the offense still has plenty of weapons.
The Eagles have one of the best defenses in the NFL and have no gaps in their unit. This is a chance for guys like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean to prove why they are the best at their positions.
Read more: Eagles' risk with QB situation might actually pay off after Sam Darnold injury
No division game is ever easy, but the Eagles still have all the talent to win this game. They had better not overlook the Commanders, though, because that could be why they lose.
Add us as a preferred source on Google