The Washington Commanders have one of the NFL’s more difficult schedules, at least in the first half of the season. Washington is the only NFL team to open the season with two road games against divisional foes.
The Commanders open the 2026 season in Philadelphia, where they’ll face the two-time defending NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles. In Week 2, Washington heads south for a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
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In Week 3, the Commanders are finally at home, but the opponent is the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
If this were one year ago, a Washington-Philadelphia Week 1 matchup would’ve been, perhaps, the most-anticipated game of opening weekend, considering the longtime NFC East rivals met three times, including in the NFC Championship. However, after going 5-12 last season, there isn’t the same level of excitement.
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 04: Chris Rodriguez Jr. #36 of the Washington Commanders scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 04: Chris Rodriguez Jr. #36 of the Washington Commanders scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Dec 25, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) carries the ball defended by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) in the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
(Amber Searls, Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
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Nov 2, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball as Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) chases in the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders WWE Title Belts at the NFL Shop
(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 14: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Washington Commanders attempts a pass against Abdul Carter #51 of the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 14, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) makes a catch defended by Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) in the second quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)
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Nov 13, 2025; Madrid, Spain; A large Washington Commanders helmet at the Palacio de Cibellas. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
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Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates with Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) after connecting on a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Commanders vs. Rams, Matthew Stafford
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
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Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) breaks a tackle attempt by New York Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo (21) before scoring a touchdown, Sunday, December 14, 2025.
(Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com, Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Aug 18, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) greets Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) after their game at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
(Amber Searls, Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
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Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders offensive tackle Brandon Coleman (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
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Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrate after connecting on a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
(Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
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Nov 20, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) attempts a pass during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
(Troy Taormina, Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass during the second quarter against the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) makes a catch against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
(Brad Rempel, Brad Rempel-Imagn Images)
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Sep 11, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is sacked by Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
(Brad Mills, Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 19: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders looks to pass during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)
CBS Sports recently ranked all 16 Week 1 games. The Commanders and the Eagles made the top 10, coming in at No. 9, one spot ahead of the other NFC East showdown: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants.
It is hard to know what to make of the Washington Commanders heading into 2026. Conventional wisdom suggests that a healthy Jayden Daniels should be enough to turn this squad back into a playoff team รก la 2024, but a lot went wrong last season that not even a full-strength Daniels would have been able to mask. Going on the road and starting the year with a divisional win could be the start of a rebound campaign, but the Philadelphia Eagles will be the favorite with or without A.J. Brown. The rest of their offense is plenty strong enough to overcome the looming trade of its star receiver, outscore the Commanders and take a first step toward repeating as NFC East champions.
The Commanders are a team of mystery heading into 2026. Washington has a first-time offensive coordinator (David Blough) and a first-time defensive coordinator (Daronte Jones). The Commanders have also turned over a significant portion of the roster. And while other NFL teams may have an idea of the schemes Washington will run, playing a divisional rival in Week 1 could be advantageous for the Commanders.
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This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Is Week 1 game vs. Eagles one of best openers?