The Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles will square off in an NFC East clash to start each of their respective seasons. Neither organization lived up to its standard last year, and each will be too eager to embrace a clean slate after some offseason changes.
Looking at the odds, the Eagles enter as six-point favorites with -250 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Commanders are +205 to pull off the upset, with the game total set at 44.5 points.
Commanders vs. Eagles prediction, preview
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders took a massive leap forward in 2024, going 12-5 and winning a pair of playoff games before this Eagles team eliminated them. This was largely on the back of Jayden Daniels’ emergence, as the second overall pick earned Rookie of the Year honors with a stellar season. But Washington took a major step back last season, finishing with a 5-12 overall record as Daniels battled injuries and was limited to just seven games. The Commanders’ franchise QB is healthy and eager to make a statement this season, but will have a steep matchup right out of the gate. Dan Quinn remains in place as head coach, entering his third season at the helm.
Around Daniels, Washington brought in Stefon Diggs to be paired with Terry McLaurin as the primary wide receivers. Chig Okonkwo will serve as the starting tight end alongside them. Jacory Croskey-Merritt remains the top running back on the depth chart. Still, Rachaad White was brought in during free agency, and sixth-round pick Kaytron Allen had some impressive flashes in preseason. The Commanders finished last season ranking 22nd in both points and yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, Washington had more notable turnovers across the roster. Last year’s unit ranked 27th in points allowed and dead last in opponents’ yards conceded. K’Lavon Chaisson, Sonny Styles, and Odafe Oweh are expected to be major upgrades at the linebacker position. Meanwhile, Rasul Douglas and Nick Cross will be looked at as upgrades in the secondary.
Philadelphia Eagles
After winning the Super Bowl in 2024, the Eagles took a step back last season, finishing 11-6 in the regular season and losing to the 49ers in their opening playoff matchup. Injuries to the offensive line prevented the team from leaning on its smash-mouth style, and the biggest change was at offensive coordinator. Sean Mannion will take control of coordinator and play-calling duties, marking the fifth new OC in the past five years. Nick Sirianni is entering his sixth season as head coach, and plenty of the Super Bowl core remains intact.
Despite the Super Bowl MVP and career 57-25 record to his name, this is a big season for Jalen Hurts. He will be looking to carve up a vulnerable Commanders defense, but will be doing so without A.J. Brown for the first time. The unhappy star wide receiver was traded away in the offseason after four consecutive seasons with 1,000+ yards. DeVonta Smith will see his role expand, Makai Lemon was selected with the 20th overall pick, and Dontayvion Wicks was brought in during free agency. Saquon Barkley and the entire starting offensive line return, following an offseason in which they had a chance to get fully healthy.
Philadelphia’s defense may very well end up being their calling card this season. They finished last year ranking fifth in opponent points allowed, with Nakobe Dean being the biggest offseason loss. Riq Woolen was brought in to further solidify the secondary, and plenty of the young talent is just now hitting their prime. The Eagles’ biggest offseason addition was Jonathan Greenard, but he will miss at least the first week due to a pectoral strain.
Commanders vs. Eagles pick, best bet
Divisional rivalries always muddy the game’s outlook a bit. But this Eagles team has defended home field well, including a combined 26-8 record over the past four years. They’ve also won 11 of their past 12 home games against NFC East opponents and scored the first touchdown in 19 of their last 21 Sunday games.
In contrast, the leap the Commanders are attempting to make again this season feels a bit bigger than most are acknowledging. Washington exploded onto the scene with 12 wins and two playoff victories two seasons ago, but had won eight or fewer games in eight consecutive seasons before this. Daniels is a difference-maker since he arrived at the organization. But plenty of young quarterbacks have flashed in their first trip through the league and then struggled after. The injuries he has added since then only complicate things further.
Washington has lost seven straight Week 1 road games against divisional opponents. They have also lost the first quarter in their last six road openers. The Eagles won 29-18 in the first meeting between these two teams last year, and lost 24-17 in the Week 18 finale, when most of the starters were sidelined.
This Eagles team has a floor that has earned a high level of trust and sometimes doesn’t get enough acknowledgment. Philadelphia has won nine or more games every season of the Sirianni era and 11+ games since Hurts took over as the starter. There will be some growing pains out of the gate as the offense adjusts and figures out life without Brown. But with an elite defense, Hurts’ ability to limit mistakes, and Barkley remaining on the shortlist of most talented offensive players in the sport, trust the Eagles in this matchup. Expect the Commanders to keep it close early, but Philadelphia’s defense will be the difference as the Eagles break the game open in the second half.
Best Bet: Philadelphia Eagles -6 (-108)
Projected score: Eagles 27, Commanders 16
