Starting off with a divisional clash on the road to begin the campaign is not ideal for the Washington Commanders, especially when it's the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. However, head coach Dan Quinn's squad is all out of excuses.
As is typical in NFC East rivalry games, individual battles will make a big difference.
The Eagles are favored to triumph, which is understandable. They made the playoffs last year while the Commanders mustered just five wins. But anyone who thinks this result is a foregone conclusion should think twice.
Washington has turned the page. General manager Adam Peters made significant improvements across the board, and the new coordinators have made a solid impression over the summer.
The Eagles may be strong in key areas, but they still have questions to answer in 2026.
Once again, quarterback Jalen Hurts has a new offensive coordinator. A.J. Brown is gone, and it may take time for everything to mesh. The Commanders have similar worries, but they have no pressure on their shoulders, which could give them the freedom to make things extremely uncomfortable.
There is a flipside to this coin. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players who may be outmatched versus Philadelphia in Week 1.
Washington Commanders players who could be caught in concerning mismatches against the Eagles
Chris Paul - Commanders OL
It's been an interesting summer for offensive lineman Chris Paul. The Commanders managed to get him back on a one-year deal when his free-agent market wasn't as hot as expected. But the coaching staff immediately put him in competition with Brandon Coleman for the starting left guard job.
According to reports, Coleman was getting the upper hand. But the devastating injury to five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil changed everything.
Coleman went to the blindside, leaving Paul free to secure the left guard spot once again. The Commanders didn't have much choice, but the former Tulsa star has to improve to justify another financial commitment in Washington or elsewhere next year.
First up, it's Jalen Carter. The new $152 million man is one of the league's most prolific interior forces. The 2023 first-round pick has a rare ability to flip any game on its head, and he plays the game with a ruthless aggression that's difficult to counteract.
Paul has had trouble with Carter in the past. The Eagles have targeted him rather than try their luck with right guard Sam Cosmi, and they've had success. Expect the same to happen again, which is a challenge the fifth-year pro must be ready for.
Otherwise, things could get ugly fast.
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