Nobody expected an easy ride for the Washington Commanders to begin the 2026 season. Head coach Dan Quinn's squad is trying to navigate a brutal gauntlet before their Week 7 bye, but after a disappointing defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, they'll need big characters in another divisional road clash against the Dallas Cowboys.
And the pressure is on some more than others.
It was a largely encouraging performance in Philadelphia, especially in the fourth quarter. Had the Commanders started a little better or avoided some sloppy individual errors, the result would have been different. They can't do anything about that now, but those who didn't give a great account of themselves to start the campaign must show the right resolve.
The Commanders are in no position to wait around. They have far too much riding on this season, and it won't take long for the fans to get restless if the losing continues.
That might seem odd just one game in. At the same time, being beaten by both the Eagles and Cowboys in consecutive weeks represents the worst-case scenario in no uncertain terms.
Hopefully, it won't come to that, and it's also worth remembering that the Cowboys are vulnerable after a Sunday Night Football loss to the New York Giants to kick off proceedings.
Another fascinating encounter between two bitter rivals awaits. And for these five Commanders players, their margin for error has already vanished entering Week 2.
Washington Commanders players whose margin for error has already vanished entering Week 2
Chris Paul - Commanders OL
The Commanders gave Chris Paul a new one-year deal this offseason. Some respected insiders tipped him to have a hot market in free agency, but it wasn't to be. Instead, the interior offensive lineman got the chance to bet on himself and prove his 2025 improvements weren't just a one-off.
Washington made him earn it. Paul was thrown into a competition for his starting left guard job with Brandon Coleman. Reports suggested he may have been losing it, but a devastating injury to left tackle Laremy Tunsil completely changed the landscape.
Coleman moved to blindside, giving Paul a free run to start at left guard for the second straight campaign. Whether this was by default or not is moot; he had to make the most of it.
Things did not go well for Paul in Philadelphia. Facing Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter is not easy, but even with double-team help more often than not, his pass protection didn't match the polished work he put together last year.
Paul put out enough good tape last year to suggest he can respond positively to this opening-day blip. But if the same happens against Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark this weekend, doubts about his long-term future in Washington will only increase.
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