It’s been 245 days since the Philadelphia Eagles last played a meaningful football game. After a drama-riddled 2025 season, Philly is set to open the 2026 season at home as they host the Washington Commanders in an NFC East rival match. With a new overhauled offensive staff, new offensive weapons, and some defensive additions. Can the Eagles make a big statement to start the season?

To help pass the time until the Eagles kick off at 4:25 p.m., our staff put together their predictions for how today’s matchup will unfold.

Bryan Cameron

I think if we’re being honest, it feels like the Commanders haven’t been the same since losing 55-23 to the Eagles in the NFC Championship game. Jayden Daniels has been riddled with injuries, while the rest of the team’s performance has been a bit inconsistent. I believe Daniels will be a huge difference-maker today, but it will take time for him to regain his confidence.

The Eagles, on the other hand, are determined and motivated by how last season ended and by proving they are better off without AJ Brown. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley look rejuvenated while the defense may have added a much-needed piece in Riq Woolen this offseason. Plus, the Eagles may be in for a huge breakout season from Jalyx Hunt, which I think we’ll see glimpses of in Week 1.

I think the Eagles’ offense will start fast but slow down a bit after their first couple of drives. Saquon will show that his wheels are not aging and we’ll see a unique connection between Dontayvion Wicks and Jalen Hurts. I have the Birds jumping out to a big lead with the Commanders closing in within the final minutes. I believe the Eagles will win and start the season at 1-0.

Player of the game: Jalyx Hunt

Final Score: Eagles win 28-24

David Neisz

I think the Philadelphia offense comes out aggressive, and the Fangio-led defense makes Daniels work for everything. The Eagles pull away in the second half by taking advantage of a Commanders defense beaten down by the run all evening and an offensive line with too many injuries and question marks to hold up over 4 quarters.

Player of the Game: Saquon Barkley

The Eagles will be motivated to showcase their new outside-zone run scheme, and Barkley has historically done extremely well against the Commanders’ defense. If they win in the trenches, they win the game. It is also time for everyone to remember how good 2KSA still is.

Final Score: Eagles win 31-20

Cory Nidoh

I think this game will be close late into the fourth quarter before Philadelphia’s defense forces a turnover that Jalen Hurts and the offense capitalize on scoring a touchdown to pull away for the victory and improve to 6-0 in season openers under Nick Sirianni.

DeVonta Smith will have at least six catches for 80 yards and a touchdown as he puts together a strong showing as the team’s new WR1. I think he has a favorable matchup against this Washington secondary that will be without its top cornerback in Trey Amos. Mike Sainristil and newcomer Amik Robertson are the top two corners on the depth chart and both struggled at times last season.

Defensively, the Eagles will need to make sure they contain the edge against Jayden Daniels who, when healthy, is one of the most electric dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL. It should be an intriguing chess match with the Commanders having both a new OC and DC while the Eagles have Sean Mannion calling plays for the first time. Expect some wrinkles from both teams offensively and a Commanders defense that will look to confuse Hurts and the offense with a lot of disguising and different-looking coverage and blitz packages.

Player of the Game: DeVonta Smith

Final Score: Eagles win 28-17

Chris Babos

These franchises are at opposite ends of the consistency spectrum: Nick Sirianni has punched a playoff ticket in each of his five seasons as Eagles head coach, while Washington has been an afterthought outside of one electric run to the 2024 NFC Championship Game, a contest that Philadelphia handily won 55-23. 

Philly returns the majority of its impressive offense, including a motivated Saquon Barkley ready to carve up defenses like a Thanksgiving turkey. The Commanders finished 29th in the NFL in stopping the run last season, and the Commanders’ biggest free agent addition (Odafe Oweh) is a pass rusher. Therefore, it is a bit tough to believe Washington will be able to stop one of the best running backs in the business. 

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is still super talented, but he has to battle a defense entering its third season of the Vic Fangio era. Unlike the Eagles offense, which has a rotating new coordinator now entering its fifth year, the Birds’ defensive unit has been a force since the veteran defensive coordinator joined Sirianni’s staff in 2024. Philadelphia now has a specially trained, human-seeking crew of Midnight Green ninjas ready to remind Washington who the real Beasts of the NFC East are. 

Hyperbole aside, the Eagles hand the Commanders a sizable loss, 27-10, to kickstart the 2026 campaign. Barkley takes home Player of the Game honors after reaching triple digits in rushing and celebrating two touchdowns against his longtime division rival. Philly’s defense has at least one takeaway, so let’s be bold and call our shot – Cooper DeJean for a Pick 6, yeah?    
Final score: Eagles 27,  Commanders 10

Player of the Game: Cooper DeJean

Liam Jenkins

This is a great spot for the Eagles. Opening the season at home against a Commanders team stuck in limbo between contending and needing to move some big aging pieces to spark a minor rebuild, the Eagles come into 2026 restocked and ready to get back to the Super Bowl. 

It should be a very winnable affair, but there will be some X-Factors to be wary of. Aside from JD, Chig Okonkwo has to be circled in red for Vic Fangio. The big pass-catching TE could suck up a lot of volume if the run-game is shut down and the receivers locked up. 

But overall, the Eagles have advantages across the board and I can see this being a comfortable win, with DeVonta Smith stealing the show during his true WR1 debut in the post-AJ Brown era.

Final score: Eagles 34, Commanders 17
Player of the game: DeVonta Smith

MORE: Can the Eagles contain Jayden Daniels?