The NFL's 2026 schedule includes nine international games, with the Washington Commanders facing the Indianapolis Colts in London. The Commanders, who finished 5-12 last season, have a challenging schedule ahead as they aim for improvement.
Key points
NFL revealed 2026 schedule with nine international games
Washington Commanders face Indianapolis Colts in London
Commanders finished 5-12 last season
Strength of schedule may change due to travel and road games
Team aims to improve after a disappointing season
Mentioned in this story
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Washington CommandersIndianapolis ColtsNFL
7 takeaways from Commanders' 2026 NFL schedule
The NFL revealed the 2026 schedule on Thursday night, featuring a record nine international games. The Washington Commanders are one of the teams with an international game. In fact, Washington is considered the home team for a Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
When you consider the strength of schedule, using winning percentages from 2025, the Commanders were in the middle of the pack. However, when you factor in travel, back-to-back road games and other things, those strength of schedule numbers can change.
Washington finished 5-12 last season, one year after going 12-5 and reaching the NFC Championship Game. If the Commanders hope to turn things around, they'll need to get off to a strong start. It won't be easy.
Here are seven takeaways from the Commanders' 2026 schedule.
The Eagles won the Super Bowl two years ago and the Seahawks won it last season. Dallas has one of the best offenses in the NFL and has reloaded on defense this offseason. The Colts were one of the AFC's best teams through the first half of last season before Daniel Jones was injured. The Giants will be much tougher moving forward with John Harbaugh roaming the sidelines. Finally, a trip across the country to San Francisco, to face another playoff squad.
Good luck getting off to a fast start, which leads us to our next takeaway.
No bye after London trip
The NFL no longer promises a bye week after international travel. With an increasing number of international games, it's becoming harder to do. There's a good chance that the Commanders didn't want a Week 5 bye anyway. Still, Washington must come home, get back later than on a normal road trip, adjust to U.S. time, and prepare for a third divisional game in five weeks. Then, on top of that, travel across the country for a Week 6 game at San Francisco.
Then, the Commanders finally get some rest. Washington has received a late bye in recent years. Considering the timing of all the early travel, perhaps Week 7 is best in 2026. It will be a difficult road for head coach Dan Quinn and his staff through the first two months.
Early NFC East matchups
We've seen some odd scheduling in recent years. Last year, Washington played Philadelphia in two of the last three weeks of the regular season. The Commanders closed last season with four straight NFC East games. Even crazier, Washington played only two NFC East games through the first 14 weeks. This year, things are much more balanced, including two divisional games to open the season, both on the road, and another in Week 5 at home. Washington will be finished with Philadelphia by Week 8. It is good to see the Commanders will close the season against the Cowboys; that one just feels right.
Overall, the divisional matchups were spaced out a little better, even if it's tougher to begin the year.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 04: Chris Rodriguez Jr. #36 of the Washington Commanders scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Dec 25, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) carries the ball defended by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) in the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Nov 2, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball as Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) chases in the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders WWE Title Belts at the NFL Shop
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 14: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Washington Commanders attempts a pass against Abdul Carter #51 of the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 14, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) makes a catch defended by Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) in the second quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Nov 13, 2025; Madrid, Spain; A large Washington Commanders helmet at the Palacio de Cibellas. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates with Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) after connecting on a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Commanders vs. Rams, Matthew Stafford
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) breaks a tackle attempt by New York Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo (21) before scoring a touchdown, Sunday, December 14, 2025.
Aug 18, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) greets Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) after their game at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders offensive tackle Brandon Coleman (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrate after connecting on a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Nov 20, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) attempts a pass during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass during the second quarter against the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) makes a catch against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Sep 11, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is sacked by Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders looks to pass during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 04: Chris Rodriguez Jr. #36 of the Washington Commanders scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 04: Chris Rodriguez Jr. #36 of the Washington Commanders scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Dec 25, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) carries the ball defended by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) in the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Nov 2, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball as Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) chases in the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders WWE Title Belts at the NFL Shop
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 14: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Washington Commanders attempts a pass against Abdul Carter #51 of the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 14, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) makes a catch defended by Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) in the second quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Nov 13, 2025; Madrid, Spain; A large Washington Commanders helmet at the Palacio de Cibellas. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates with Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) after connecting on a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Commanders vs. Rams, Matthew Stafford
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) breaks a tackle attempt by New York Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo (21) before scoring a touchdown, Sunday, December 14, 2025.
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Aug 18, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) greets Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) after their game at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders offensive tackle Brandon Coleman (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrate after connecting on a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Nov 20, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) attempts a pass during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass during the second quarter against the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) makes a catch against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
Sep 11, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is sacked by Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
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Photos: 2026 Washington Commanders schedule
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders looks to pass during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
4 prime-time games
The Commanders played in five prime-time games last season and eight standalone games in total. This year, Washington will play in four prime-time games and one additional standalone game. Of course, the last three games still have times to be determined.
This makes sense. After going 5-12, Washington should receive fewer prime-time games. But four seems like a lot for a team coming off a five-win season. Either the NFL believes the Commanders will bounce back, or quarterback Jayden Daniels remains one of the NFL's best draws, even after coming off a frustrating, injury-plagued season.
Here are the four prime-time games:
Week 6: Monday, Oct. 19, at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
Week 10: Thursday, Nov. 12, at New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime
Week 11: Monday, Nov. 23, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
Monday night rematch vs. Bengals
Everyone remembers that Commanders/Bengals game from 2024. It was in Week 3, and Daniels' third career NFL game. He put on a show. So did Joe Burrow. When you consider that these are two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks from LSU, that makes it more compelling. Additionally, they are two of the NFL's best. That game was considered Daniels' coming-out party, as he led Washington to a surprising 38-33 win. His touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with two minutes remaining was one of the NFL's best throws in 2024.
A great decision by the NFL here.
No Christmas or Thanksgiving Day games
The NFL added a new game this week, well, because of course they did. Now, there will be a game on Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day. And good news for the Commanders, they will not play on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday that week. Even better, after playing on Christmas Day against the Cowboys last year, Washington does not play on either Christmas Eve or Christmas.
The Commanders caught a lucky break here.
Dan Quinn better use the preseason
There were whispers last summer that head coach Dan Quinn was too easy on the Commanders. It was almost like he believed Washington had arrived after a surprising 12-5 season in 2024. It was a relatively easy training camp, and Quinn always gave his veterans extra rest. On that last part, that's something Quinn has always done. It's smart, and it's one of the many reasons players like playing for him. He takes care of them.
And then came the preseason. The Commanders barely played their starters in the preseason and looked bad early in the season. They never had a chance to get hot because the injuries piled up. No one can tell a coach how to run a training camp. Given the tough stretch of games to open the season, Quinn should use the preseason to get his team some work so they don't treat Weeks 1 and 2 like the preseason. If Washington gets off to a tough start this year, things could go off the rails early.
Players need work in the preseason, including Jayden Daniels.
