The Washington Commanders are back on the field on Sunday Night Football this week when they host the reeling Philadelphia Eagles. And to say it's a game they can't afford to lose is an understatement.
The Commanders are well-rested after their bye. The Eagles are on a short week. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is done for the year, and running back Saquon Barkley won't be fully healthy if he plays.
Washington is favored by six points at home, despite being 1-4-1.
Commanders must bring their best against a hungry divisional opponent looking to get right
But let's not take any victory laps just yet. The game still has to be played, and it won't be easy.
Just because the Eagles are down, it doesn't mean they're out. They're still the defending NFC East champions and a season and a half removed from a Super Bowl. They still have a strong defense and offensive line, and if their weapons are healthy, they're dangerous.
Wide receiver DeVonta Smith and Barkley are both questionable, with the latter returning to practice on Friday. If they are out, it might be a heavy dose of Jaydon Blue in the backfield, with Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, and tight end Dallas Goedert as top targets in the passing game.
It won't be a cakewalk for the Commanders, who themselves are without top receiver Terry McLaurin and top running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. And if they can't get the job done, they'll have a serious problem.
The Commanders' biggest hope for the rest of 2026 is a favorable schedule and a weak division. But they need to turn those projected wins on paper into substance on the field.
Commanderes have no excuses not to beat the Eagles in Week 8
Washington is currently sitting in last place in the NFC East. A little bit of momentum can go a long way, but it needs to start somewhere.
And if not now, then when?
The Commanders have enough talent to compete, but they've found ways to lose games.
They should have beaten the New York Giants. They should have beaten the Indianapolis Colts. Last time they were on the field, the San Francisco 49ers gave them a billion opportunities to come back from a 20-point deficit, and they couldn't capitalize.
Back in Week 1 in Philadelphia, the Commanders were an ill-fated two-point conversion away from sending the game to overtime. That was against a healthy Eagles squad on the road, so in theory, Washington should have the advantage this time.
But for head coach Dan Quinn and his team, "should" isn't enough. The only acceptable outcome is "will."
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