The Washington Commanders opened the 2026 NFL season with a spirited comeback bid Sunday evening, but ultimately fell short, dropping a 24-22 game on the road to NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Despite the loss, Washington’s season opener marked a collection of firsts and milestones that offered plenty of positive signs heading into the rest of the season.
“It’s a long season, and you know, it’s ebbs and flows of the season,” said Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. “I’m not gonna say [the team] will win a Super Bowl this year. But you know, Seattle last year started 0-1, and you see what they did.”
Rookie kicker Drew Stevens provided Washington’s first points of the season, drilling a 55-yard field goal in the first quarter to put the Commanders on the board.
Running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt recorded his first rushing touchdown of the season, marking the ninth of his career. Linebacker Frankie Luvu also opened his season with a milestone of his own, recording his first sack of 2026 and the 32nd of his career.
Rookie linebacker Sonny Styles made his presence felt on defense as well, recording the first sack of his NFL career. Styles also delivered a powerful play against Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, bringing him down for a loss of yardage and showing the physicality that could become a defining part of his game.
Trailing 24-16 with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Commanders staged a furious rally behind Daniels. Washington moved the ball downfield with urgency, as Daniels made several key plays to keep the comeback attempt alive.
Daniels converted a crucial fourth-and-two with a six-yard completion to Terry McLaurin, before connecting with rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams for a one-yard touchdown with under two minutes remaining. The score not only marked Williams’ first career touchdown, it pulled Washington within two points, with an opportunity to tie the game.
Williams finished the night as the team’s leading receiver, hauling in all four of his targets for 64 yards while making an immediate impact in his NFL debut.
“[Williams] made a hell of a grab,” said Daniels. “He made some big plays this game and [I’m] super happy for him, the work that he put in, and to see in the biggest moments guys can make plays like that…[I’m] super excited to continue to build with him for the future. Two-point play, man, we just didn’t execute. It was the right call. Anything [Offensive Coordinator David Blough] calls, I’m going right with him.”
With a chance to even the score, Washington attempted a two-point conversion as Daniels made a pass to tight end John Bates. But it was Philadelphia’s defense that stopped Bates at the line of scrimmage, preserving the Eagles’ 24-22 advantage and ending the Commanders’ comeback hopes.
In the end, Washington showed considerable fight when it mattered most. With the game seemingly slipping away late in the fourth quarter, the Commanders put themselves in position to steal the victory before Philadelphia’s defense made the final stop.
“The division and a loss like that stinks,” said head coach Dan Quinn. “With the team, I would say I really loved our fight. I liked that competitive nature… The miscues I thought hurt us in this game, and when those are the margins right there, division games or otherwise, those are the lessons I want to make sure that we apply moving forward into week two.”
Washington left Philadelphia 0-1 to start the season, but also with a collection of encouraging individual performances and milestones to build upon as the season continues.
The Commanders will remain on the road next week for another NFC East matchup in week two, traveling to face the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 4:25 p.m.
“It’s all about catching a rhythm and continuing to build,” Daniels said. “And you’ve got to take the lessons that you learned from different losses.”
