The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off their 2026 NFL season today at Lincoln Financial Field against the Washington Commanders, and despite being 5.5-point favorites and looking like the superior team on paper, it’s already a grinding battle. The Commanders drew first blood with a 55-yard field goal, leaving the Birds’ new-look offense, led by Sean Mannion, still searching for its rhythm.
Early Struggles for the New-Look Offense
Jalen Hurts, aiming to keep his perfect Week 1 record alive dating back to 2021, found the first Eagles drive sputtering out after just 13 yards on six plays. After winning the coin toss and deferring, the defense watched Washington march down the field, picking up a first down on the ground right away. Jayden Daniels connected with Stefon Diggs for a crucial first down, even with Cooper DeJean getting beat. A brave flea flicker attempt by the Commanders was snuffed out by Moro Ojomo’s quick pressure, forcing Daniels to throw it away. But then, facing third and ten *again*, the Commanders pulled off a 55-yard field goal, putting the Eagles down 3-0 way too early.
When the Eagles finally got the ball at their own 35, the new offense looked a bit out of sync. A play-action pass from under center to Saquon Barkley fell incomplete. Barkley picked up some ground, but it quickly led to a third down. Hurts showed his veteran poise, stepping up against a blitz, with a nice pickup by Barkley, and scrambling for a first down. Makai Lemon snagged his first career reception, which was awesome to see, but then on 3rd-and-8, Hurts hit Dontayvion Wicks short of the sticks. Our old friend, Rasul Douglas, was right there to knock the ball out for an incompletion. Six plays, 13 yards, and Braden Mann had to bail them out with a perfectly placed coffin corner punt down to the Commanders’ 6-yard line.
Fangio’s Defense Stepping Up Early
While the offense tried to find its footing, Vic Fangio’s defense is already showing flashes of living up to those “best units in the NFL” expectations. Marcus Epps flew into the backfield to sniff out a Washington run for a tackle for loss, immediately after Mann’s punt pinned them deep. And even when Daniels tried to go deep after a Stefon Diggs drop, Riq Woolen was right there with tight coverage, forcing an overthrow and another Commanders punt. The defense is putting in work, giving the offense chances.
The Eagles got the ball back at their own 39, but a Cam Jurgens holding call and a backwards pass screen to Makai Lemon that got blown up means it’s still an uphill climb. This Week 1 opener is far from over, but the early trends are clear: the defense is battling, and Jalen Hurts’ new offense has a lot to figure out. Let’s see if they can punch back and flip this script before the half!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
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