The Washington Commanders will open the 2026 NFL season against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. Historically, the Commanders have faced the Eagles in season openers four times, winning only once in 2020.
Key points
Commanders open 2026 season against Eagles in Philadelphia
Four previous season openers between Commanders and Eagles
Eagles won three of the four season openers
Commanders' only win was in the 2020 season opener
This will be the fifth time they face off to start a season
Washington CommandersPhiladelphia EaglesNFL
What happened last time the Commanders opened season vs. Eagles?
The Washington Commanders will open the 2026 season in Philadelphia against the Eagles. When was the last time the Commanders opened up in Philly against their NFC East rival, the Eagles? More on that later.
The Commanders have opened against the Eagles a few times in this century (2000-2025, 26 seasons). The 2026 season opener will be the fifth time the two NFC East rivals have faced off to launch a new NFL season. In those four previous season openers, the Eagles have won three of the contests, while Washington has won only once, at the start of the 2020 season.
Here is a quick review of the four Washington season openers against the Philadelphia Eagles this century:
2020 Philadelphia at Washington (Washington wins 27-17)
It was Ron Rivera's first game as Washington's new head coach/head of football operations. The Eagles raced out to a 17-0 second-quarter lead. However, Washington returned the favor, completely outplaying the Eagles the rest of the way, scoring 27 unanswered points. Running back Peyton Barber scored two touchdowns for the then-Football Team.
2019 Washington at Philadelphia (Philadelphia wins 32-27)
It was Jay Gruden's sixth and final season as Redskins head coach. This game was the unveiling of rookie receiver Terry McLaurin. McLaurin's rookie NFL debut was a smash hit as he collected five receptions for 125 receiving yards, including a 69-yard touchdown from QB Case Keenum. The Redskins jumped on the Eagles, leading 17-0 in the second quarter. However, the Eagles beat down the Redskins with a 32-3 run for a 32-20 lead.
Q&A
When did the Commanders last open the season against the Eagles?
The last time the Commanders opened the season against the Eagles was at the start of the 2020 season.
How many times have the Commanders opened the season against the Eagles?
The Commanders have opened the season against the Eagles four times in the 21st century.
What is the win-loss record for the Commanders against the Eagles in season openers?
In season openers against the Eagles, the Commanders have a record of 1 win and 3 losses.
Where will the Commanders play their 2026 season opener?
The Commanders will play their 2026 season opener in Philadelphia against the Eagles.
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2017 Philadelphia at Washington (Philadelphia wins 30-17)
This was the Eagles team that was loaded, going 13-3, winning the NFC East and then the Super Bowl as well over the Patriots. In the opener, the Eagles scored twice to lead 13-0, but the Redskins battled, taking the lead 14-13. The Eagles leading 22-17 later, Redskins QB Kirk Cousins was sacked, fumbled and Fletcher Cox returned it 20 yards for a touchdown and the final 30-17 score.
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)
2013 Philadelphia at Washington (Philadelphia wins 33-27)
Following his 2012 knee injury and subsequent knee surgery in early 2013, Robert Griffin III promoted his return with the slogan, "All in for Week 1." However, the Eagles scored 33 consecutive points, while the Washington offense did little. Don't pay attention to the final score. Trailing 33-7, the Redskins scored the final three scores to give the impression of a closer game, but it was not.
