Failed Two Point Attempt Seals Commanders Road Loss vs. Eagles

The Washington Commanders fell short on the road in the final minute after falling, 24-22, against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2026 regular season opener.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels finished 18-of-34 passing with 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns, though the offense largely looked out of sync in its first game under coordinator David Blough after amassing 295 yards of total offense and converting five of the 15 third down attempts.

It started well as the undrafted rookie free agent Drew Stevens opened his NFL career with a 55 yard field goal on his first attempt of the day, giving Washington an early lead after taking the eight-play opening series 27 yards.

Philadelphia's first drive then stalled after cornerback Rasul Douglas delivered a hit on WR Dontayvion Wicks to break up the intended pass, a notable play in an encouraging first quarter for the defense. That was until two minutes left prior to the second quarter when QB Jalen Hurts connected with Wicks on a 64-yard reception that had cornerback Mike Sainristil lost midplay, setting the Eagles up inside the ten yard line before tight end Dallas Goedert reeled in a 17 yard receiving touchdown -- on third and goal -- to cap off the scoring drive.

Two drives later, a 42 yard rush from running back Saquon Barkley set the Eagles up inside the redzone once again that ended in Wicks' first touchdown of the day and second notable catch over Sainristil, putting Washington in a 14-3 hole with just over six minutes left in the first half.

Yet the final possession of the first half delivered the most encouraging performance from the offense after a 12 play, 67 yard drive ended with running back Bill Croskey-Merritt punching in Washington's first touchdown of the season. A blocked extra point kept Washington behind, 14-9, ahead of halftime, yet it also came with two plays over ten yards in both the pass and run game as quarterback Jayden Daniels began to find some sort of rhythm.

Linebacker Sonny Styles blew through Barkley in the first defensive series of the second half to register his first career sack as the two teams traded punts on the first three series before a seven play drive for Washington's offense ended in a missed 54-yard field goal by Stevens.

Philadelphia took advantage of the field position battle after capping off the third quarter with a 35 yard field goal, which may have been a win for the Commanders' defense after Rasul Douglas gave up a 31 yard completion to WR Devonta Smith on third down that set up the Eagles in the redzone.

And it mattered more after Washington answered with their most impressive drive of the half, capped off by a ten yard touchdown for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, his first in a Commanders' uniform. Yet the veteran was also flagged for hugging the goal post in his celebration, drawing a flag which forced head coach Dan Quinn to kick the extra point with Washington still trailing, 17-16, with just under ten minutes remaining.

Philadelphia delivered the dagger to Washington's defense on the next series after Hurts picked up 22 yards on 3rd-and-18, which foreshadowed Philadelphia's next third down after Hurts connected with Goedert for a 43 yard touchdown on 3rd-and-six.

The Commanders' final drive gave them a chance after consecutive intermediate completions to Williams then Diggs set the offense up with a scoring chance before Terry McLaurin recorded his first reception and Kayton Allen punched in consecutive four yard runs. McLaurin's second catch of the day not only secured his 500th career reception, but also a fourth down conversion that set the offense up inside the five ahead of the two minute warning.

Rookie Antonio Williams would be the hero after coming down with his first career touchdown in the NFL on an impressive catch that needed replay confirmation, but it went for nothing. Nick Allegretti whiffed on his assignment with the designed pitch to tight end John Bates blown up from the start in the failed two point attempt.

Washington will now look to rebound next week when they travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys with kickoff set for 4:25 PM on FOX.