The Washington Commanders will kick off the 2026 regular season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 13
Washington Commanders (0-0) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (0-0)
When: Sunday, Sept. 13, 4:25 PM
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa.
TV: FOX -- Kevin Burkhardt (pxp), Tom Brady (analyst), Erin Andrews + Tom Rinaldi (sideline)
The Washington Commanders are officially set to kick off the 2026 regular season in a divisional game against the Philadelphia Eagles. After closing out the 2025 season with a win in Philadelphia, the Commanders now have the chance to win consecutive road games against the Eagles for the first time since 2015-16. Yet with a chance to set the tone for the rest of the season in a pivotal early season matchup, we break down the four storylines to watch.
Can the Offensive Line Protect Jayden Daniels without Tunsil?
Perhaps the biggest training camp injury across the league, and undoubtedly for Washington, was Laremy Tunsil’s torn triceps that will likely keep him out for the bulk if not all of 2026. There were major questions surrounding the Commanders’ offensive line before Tunsil went down; now they intensify with him gone. Former 2024 third-round pick Brandon Coleman will try to fill in the giant-sized hole that comes in his absence.
Center Nick Allegretti is another question mark going into the game, as he’s coming off a strained calf muscle that kept him out for most of Training Camp. A guard for most of his career, he was moved to center during the offseason and has the responsibility of being the leader of the offensive line. Right guard Sam Cosmi is hoping to put his injury-filled 2025 behind him, missing the first six games to the PUP list and the last two due to a concussion. With all these questions and the Eagles’ ferocious defensive front, the Commanders’ offensive line will be tested early on. Protecting Daniels and giving him time to find his receivers is a top priority for the team in its week one matchup.
How the Revamped Pass Catchers Fare in Week One
Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs are penciled in as the top two targets for Daniels, with tight end Chig Okonkwo as his safety net. After those three, it’s a guessing game of where the hierarchy is in the receiver room. Rookie Antonio Williams and Luke McCaffrey are the most likely candidates for the number three receiver. Former Tennessee first-rounder Treylon Burks might have had the best catch by a Washington last year, but it was one of only ten in eight games played in 2025. Dyami Brown returned to Washington after a year in Jacksonville, and Jaylin Lane is looking for a bigger role in season two of the NFL. If anything were to happen to McLaurin or Diggs, could one of those guys step up and take their spot? How the passing offense looks in week one could give fans insight into what to expect as the season goes.
Can the Commanders Secondary Hold Up?
Trey Amos will miss at least the first four weeks of the season after being placed on IR. With the Commanders already down a starting corner, it places more concern on an already questionable secondary. Veterans Fabian Moreau and Rasul Douglas take over Amos’ spot, with third-year man Mike Sainristil arguably Washington’s top corner. The slot is manned by free agent signing Amik Robertson. Another free-agent signing, Nick Cross, holds the strong safety spot, with Jeremy Reaves and Quan Martin likely at free. Despite the Eagles trading AJ Brown to New England, they still have last year’s leading receiver, DeVonta Smith, and used a first-round pick on Makai Lemon. Add in tight end Dallas Goedert, and the Washington secondary will have their first challenge of the new season. Will they be able to prevent big plays from the Eagles receivers?
LB Sonny Styles Makes NFL Debut
Styles was drafted seventh overall as the leader in the middle of the Commanders’ defense. The former Ohio State Buckeye had a very successful college career that included a National Championship in 2024, and an All-American selection last year. Fans got a taste of what is to come in the preseason, but now the real games begin, and the expectations for Styles are very high. If his play comes close to his last season at Ohio State, he’ll be in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The transition from college to the pros is tough, though, and there’s no telling whether or not a rookie can make the adjustments needed. How will he respond playing in his first NFL game in Philadelphia, where the fans will make themselves heard?
