The Washington Commanders have officially seen the road ahead for the 2026 NFL season. And it is anything but easy with a schedule like this.
This season, the Washington team made well-thought-out investments after making some big changes during the offseason.
Their general manager, Adam Peters, and head coach, Dan Quinn, have been pushing to get the team ready for the next step.
Now, people are excited to see how their young franchise quarterback, Jayden Daniels, will do. The team has a new lineup, and they’re going to play some tough games, including a few on national TV for everyone to see.
The NFL has given them a pretty tough schedule to start the season, but it’ll be interesting to see how they do.
Full Schedule
Week Opponent Time/Network
- Week 1 at Philadelphia Eagles FOX 4:25pm
- Week 2 at Dallas Cowboys FOX 4:25pm
- Week 3 vs Seattle Seahawks FOX 1:00pm
- Week 4 vs. the Indianapolis Colts (London), NFL Network 9:30am
- Week 5 vs New York Giants FOX 1:00pm
- Week 6 at San Francisco 49ers, Monday Night Football, 8:15pm
- Week 7 BYE Week
- Week 8 vs Philadelphia Eagles Sunday Night Football 8:20pm
- Week 9 vs Los Angeles Rams FOX 1:00pm
- Week 10 at New York Giants, Thursday Night Football, 8:15pm
- Week 11 vs Cincinnati Bengals, Monday Night Football, 8:15pm
- Week 12 at Arizona Cardinals FOX 4:25 pm
- Week 13 at Tennessee Titans FOX 1:00pm
- Week 14 vs Houston Texans FOX 1:00pm
- Week 15 vs Atlanta Falcons FOX 1:00pm
- Week 16 at Minnesota Vikings TBD
- Week 17 at Jacksonville Jaguars TBD
- Week 18 vs Dallas Cowboys TBD
Washington Gets No Favors Early with Schedule
The Commanders open the season with back-to-back road games against division rivals in Philadelphia and Dallas before hosting the defending champion Seattle Seahawks in Week 3.
Next up is a trip to London to face the Indianapolis Colts, and then they’ve got a big Monday Night Football game against the NFC-contending San Francisco 49ers.
No Doubt the Commanders have a tough road ahead.
This team will be playing seven teams that made the playoffs last season in the first half of their schedule.
After a tumultuous 5-12 season that left the fanbase confused after daunting expectations, Dan Quinn and Washington need to hit the ground running, especially with two first-time coordinators on the offense and defense heading into 2026.
One thing that stands out is how the schedule plays out – they’ll have finished the majority of their divisional matchups by Week 10.
If the Commanders can manage to win one of those two games, they’ll still be right in the mix for the NFC East title and playoff contention heading into the second half of the season.
Primetime Games Show League Respect
Despite missing the playoffs last season, the NFL clearly views Washington as one of the league’s more marketable young teams.
That Week 11 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals could become one of the best quarterback showcases of the season between Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow.
The Sunday night game against the Eagles will add intrigue to see where Washington is among their division foes.
London Game Creates Opportunity and Challenge
Washington’s Week 4 matchup against the Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium gives the franchise another international spotlight game as the NFL continues expanding globally.
Last season, the Commanders faced the Miami Dolphins in the first NFL Game in Madrid, Spain.
The challenge is obvious, though.
That international week will provide another challenge again. Not only are they losing a game at home, but they also have to travel a long way to play overseas. After leaving Europe, they will gear up to face a John Harbaugh-coached New York Giants squad.
The start of the schedule is extremely daunting, but things get much easier in the second half.
Washington will finish the year with games against the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and Jacksonville Jaguars, before wrapping up the season at home against the Dallas Cowboys, which could have major playoff implications if they survive.
If the Commanders can survive the early gauntlet around .500, they could realistically position themselves for a playoff push in December.
The Week 16 road trip against the Minnesota Vikings may end up being one of the most important swing games on the entire schedule. Commanders got shut out by the Vikings, 31-0.
Final Thoughts
This could be a proving-ground season for Washington.
This makes the NFL seem to think the Commanders are still a big deal again, but now it’s up to them to show they deserve a spot in the loaded NFC playoffs with the NFC West and North.
With all the early games against teams in their division, a game in another country, and four chances to play in front of a big audience at night, Jayden Daniels and the revamped Commanders team will have plenty of chances to make some noise.
They just have to take advantage of them and prove they belong.
One thing is certain: All eyes will once again be on the 2026 Washington Commanders season.
