Hogs Haven
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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.
Dan Quinn and his Commanders will open the season with a familiar opponent in a challenging setting as the burgundy & gold hit the road to take on the Eagles in Philly in Week 1.
Date: September 13, 2026, 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
(The two teams play again at Northwest Stadium in Landover in Week 8)
When the 2026 NFL season kicks off, this Week 1 divisional game in Philadelphia will provide a major test for two teams entering the year with completely different mindsets. For Washington, it is about bouncing back from a rough 2025 where poor defensive play and offensive regression forced them into another early draft pick. Philadelphia, on the other hand, had a highly successful regular season where they won the NFC East and locked up a playoff spot. While their 2025 season ended with a frustrating first-round exit in the postseason, the Eagles enter the ’26 season as the defending NFC East champs, looking to defend that title and actually win a playoff game this time around.
While Washington spent the offseason making massive roster moves to help third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Eagles are in a fighting retreat against years of over-leveraging the salary cap, losing key players in free agency but working hard to replenish the roster through the draft as they struggle to remain at the top of the NFC East.
The Commanders bolstered their offense by adding dynamic skill players like running backs Rachaad White & Kaytron Allen, wide receiver Antonio Williams, and tight end Chig Okonkwo. They also completely overhauled their defensive unit, aggressively using free agency to add players at every level of the defense and drafting linebacker Sonny Styles with the 7th overall pick to anchor a scheme run by new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Meanwhile, the Eagles are entering another transition period of their own under Nick Sirianni, breaking in a brand new offensive scheme after parting ways with their previous offensive coordinator.
This game features a battle between two coaching staffs under pressure to...
