Hogs Haven
The 5 o’clock club is published from time to time during the season, and aims to provide a forum for reader-driven discussion at a time of day when there isn’t much NFL news being published. Feel free to introduce topics that interest you in the comments below.
2026 opponent preview series: Wk 1 Eagles | Wk 2 Cowboys | Wk 3 Seahawks | Wk 4 Colts | Wk 5 Giants | Wk 6 49ers
In 2026, the Commanders will, like every other team in the NFL, play 17 games against 14 opponents. With the amount of roster change that NFL teams undergo annually along with the unusually large number of head coach and coordinator changes in 2026, it seems useful to spend some time to review each of Washington’s regular season opponents.
By the time the Commanders reach Week 9, fans should have a strong sense of what this 2026 team is all about. In the first 7 games of the season, the Commanders will play 6 teams (they play Philly twice) with a combined 2025 season record of 56-45-1 (55%). More importantly, I think, 5 games will come against teams ranked in the top-11 of ESPN’s 2026 Power Index.
Week 9 versus the Rams at Landover could be the toughest game of the season. Not only were the Rams 12-5 a season ago, but they are also ranked No. 1 in the ESPN Power Index for the upcoming season and are currently the consensus #1 favorite to win the Super Bowl with betting odds hovering around +550. Following a blockbuster trade for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, they are the only team in the NFL with single-digit odds on major sportsbooks.
The result of this game should help clarify just how far the Commanders have come as legitimate contenders.
Date: November 8, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Northwest Stadium in Landover Maryland
The Rams are led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has had a career renaissance in Los Angeles. With the championship window possibly closing as Stafford reaches his 18th season at age 38, the front office acquired edge rusher Myles Garrett through a trade and signed cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to bolster the defense.
With respect to the coaching staff, Sean McVay promoted Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator to maintain playbook continuity after Mike LaFleur’s departure to the Cardinals. The team also hired former Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury as assistant head coach, and Bubba Ventrone from Cleveland to lead the special teams unit.
All in all, analysts see this as a winning combination. The Commanders will need to be at their best against a Rams team that will come to Landover in Week 9 fresh off of...
