Washington Commanders Still Within Reach in NFC East Race

The Washington Commanders have turned the page from a humbling tie against the New York Giants in week five with a chance at what may now serve as the most daunting matchup through the first half of the 2026 regular season: a primetime road game against the San Francisco 49ers.

While Washington will look to dethrone of the NFL's three remaining unbeaten teams, head coach Dan Quinn will look to pick up the franchise's first win against one of the NFC's best since 2020 after the Niners took the last two meetings. Yet Washington also enters week six with a chance to play spoiler -- and drastically alter the outlook of the season.

How could that be if the Commanders are staring at a 1-3-1 record? Look no further than the struggles throughout the rest of the division.

That includes the Philadelphia Eagles, who are battling several injuries ahead of week six to notable players. Both running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver DeVonta Smith were inactive in the last second loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week five, though the Eagles will likely have to adjust to another notable absence after news of quarterback Jalen Hurts suffering a blood clot broke on Thursday. Whether Hurts will be ready for the week eight rematch between the Eagles and Commanders in Washington is a question mark, painting the game's level of difficulty in a different light with Tanner McKee now expected to step in at quarterback.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, are one week removed from a humbling loss at home against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield while they now look to avoid falling to 2-4 when they face the Green Bay Packers -- without Micah Parsons -- on Sunday night in week six.

The New York Giants, meanwhile, will look to stay hot when they host the New Orleans Saints with a chance to extend its early lead in the NFC East. Still, the Giants face a daunting road ahead with matchups against the Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions joining three divisional games still on the 2026 schedule.

Still, with just one game separating the Commanders from both the Eagles and Cowboys, the Commanders have an opportunity to redefine the season outlook in a prove-it game.

That now puts pressure on the response for a team that has taken accountability for how week five unraveled.

“I want to a make sure that’s a scar that has to be permanent and making sure this is a situation, a scenario that would never present itself again," head coach Dan Quinn said earlier in the week.

Washington enters the meeting with a handful of concerning matchups, especially in the secondary with a chance for cornerback Trey Amos and safety Nick Cross to minimize concerns following an expected full week of practice. Yet with the bye week looming, the time for results is now as Quinn and the Commanders look for a season defining performance. With a chance to make another push to disrupt the race for the NFC East crown as Washington remains within reach, whether Quinn and the coaching staff can guide the team there is the question for Monday night to answer.