The Washington Commanders couldn't have asked for a tougher start to the 2026 campaign. Head coach Dan Quinn's team hit the road for a divisional clash against the Philadelphia Eagles, which promises to be a stern test of their credentials.
Lincoln Financial Field is notoriously unwelcoming for opposing players and fans. The Eagles are the two-time defending NFC East champions, and they will want to begin their season by getting one over on one of their most hated rivals.
But according to one Eagles expert, this might be a good time for the Commanders to catch Philadelphia.
Eagles expert outlines the potential weakness Commanders could exploit in Week 1
Anthony Miller of Inside the Iggles acknowledged that expectations are sketchy around Philadelphia's ceiling this season. Their defense remains among the league's best, but the offense is much more uncertain.
Miller questioned how the dynamic between offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and quarterback Jalen Hurts would shake out as the signal-caller moves into yet another scheme change. However, he also thought leaning on the defense should be enough to give the Commanders real problems in Week 1.
"After an offseason of so much change on the offensive side of the ball, the expectations of the Eagles are all over the place from winning the Super Bowl to not even making the playoffs.
"Their defense is elite with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean ready to have standout seasons again. The biggest question is how Jalen Hurts will work with new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion in Year 1 of a much different scheme.
"The Commanders might have some advantages with their defense against the Eagles' offense, but Philly's is elite enough to still become a massive headache for Jayden Daniels and company."
A lot of unknowns surround this game. And there's no telling how these key elements will unfold until the contest begins.
The Eagles are making changes on one side of the ball. The Commanders are making changes on both sides of the ball.
Commanders still have a tough test in Philadelphia despite Eagles' sketchy projections
Everything seems to be going as planned, with Daronte Jones and David Blough leaving a positive mark throughout the summer. But neither has called plays in the NFL before, so it's a journey into the unknown.
It might be easier for Jones' defense than Blough's offense, in all honesty. This matters more if Hurts has growing pains in Mannion's system. Fortunately for the Eagles, they have longtime Washington tormentor Saquon Barkley to shoulder the load.
Barkley has torched the Commanders throughout his career, and the running back no doubt wants similar success. Washington's aggressive new defense must meet fire with fire, which means clogging space on the interior while also keeping the edge contained at all times.
If the Commanders can do that, they will take the game out of Barkley's hands and put it into Hurts'. And that is where Washington can attain success.
Anything can happen on opening day. Teams are still working things out, and given that established stars play very little in the preseason, the standard is typically lower. That is something the Commanders can use to their advantage, but it'll still be a tall order.
If the Commanders can pull off an upset, it'll give everyone a massive boost at the perfect time. And if Miller's assessment proves accurate, attacking Hurts in a new scheme might be the key.
It could just as easily go the other way, but don't count the Commanders out yet.
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