Commanders game-by-game predictions after 2026 NFL Schedule release

The Washington Commanders have reason to believe that Jayden Daniels' 2026 season will be much better. And they have some young guns who could make a quick difference. But will these things translate into wins? Here are the Commanders’ game-by-game predictions after the 2026 schedule release.It’s not going to be easy for the Commanders and head coach Dan Quinn because the NFC East should be vastly improved from 2025, according to commanderswire.com. Any of the four teams can make a case for title contention. And road games against the 49ers and Jaguars look particularly challenging.It's a critical year for Quinn, who led the Commanders to the NFC Championship game in 2024 before the team fell to 5-12 in 2025.So let’s see what the 2026 season looks like in mid-May for the Commanders. For each of these predictions, we’re assuming no season-altering injuries for either team in the matchup.Week 1 at Philadelphia EaglesGranted, the Commanders have split the last four games against the Eagles. But they have lost 14 of the last 19. As the Eagles are built right now, the Commanders will struggle to contain their offense, ehttps://clutchpoints.com/nfl/washington-commanders/commanders-bold-predictions-2026-nfl-draft-class-rookie-seasonven with the defensive improvements.Maybe they can make it close in a shootout. It should be an entertaining game. LOSSRecord: 0-1Week 2 at Dallas CowboysIt has been an ugly run for the Commanders against the Cowboys. They have lost 12 of the last 16 meetings and are 10-25, dating back 35 games.And there’s little reason to think this year’s games will be different. The Cowboys are loaded for a Super Bowl run, while the Commanders are a fringe playoff contender. At home, it should be close. LOSSRecord: 0-2Week 3 vs. Seattle SeahawksThe defending champs stroll into the nation’s capital. They bring plenty of firepower on offense and one of the NFL’s best defenses. Last year, Seahawks QB Sam Darnold made the Commanders look pitiful as he had one of his best games of the season.However, the Commanders are improved enough to give him trouble this year. This is a great spot for an upset. WINRecord: 1-2Week 4 vs. Indianapolis ColtsIt’s hard to know exactly what this matchup looks like. But one thing is sure: The Commanders’ run defense must be vastly improved for 2026, or Jonathan Taylor will shred them.However, the Commanders can play committee against the run. And dare the Colts to beat them through the air. WINRecord: 2-2Week 5 vs. New York GiantsRegardless of the season, the matchup against the Giants is always tough for the Commanders. However, after going 2-8-1, the Commanders have put up four straight wins.This game should be a great battle between young quarterbacks. It’s also a game between two highly regarded rookie defensive players in Arvell Reese (No. 2 overall) and Sonny Styles (No. 7). Home-field advantage tilts this to the Commanders. WINRecord: 3-2Week 6 at San Francisco 49ersFacing Kyle Shanahan is rarely fun for the 49ers’ opponents. And since we’re taking season-changing injuries off the table for the purpose of this exercise, the 49ers will be a tough nut to crack.With Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Mike Evans all healthy, this is not a team the Commanders can outscore. LOSSRecord: 3-3Week 8 vs. Philadelphia EaglesThe Eagles slipped last year. And even though they have made some good moves for the 2026 season, they still have a lot to prove. However, the Commanders will be hard-pressed to walk onto the Eagles' home field and pull off a victory.There’s something here that whispers, “upset.” So we will roll with that. WINRecord: 4-3Week 9 vs. Los Angeles RamsThis is the best team in football, according to many NFL observers. The Rams have a great offense, and their defense has teeth. Typically, the Commanders don’t hold up well against great opposing quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP, is that. LOSSRecord: 4-4Week 10 at New York GiantsRematches are always difficult, especially in the NFC East. And new Giants head coach John Harbaugh makes the task even more difficult for the Commanders.What should decide this second battle is which defense has progressed the most. And because of Harbaugh’s presence, that may be the Giants. LOSSRecord: 4-5Week 11 vs. Cincinnati BengalsOh, boy. Joe Burrow. Ja’Marr Chase. Tee Higgins. This game will test the Commanders’ secondary at a level only below the Cowboys.This game promises to be a shootout. So who is the best under fire? Burrow or Daniels? WINRecord: 5-5Week 12 at Arizona CardinalsGood luck to the Cardinals winning games this season. QB Jacoby Brissett is 20-45 in his career. There’s a reason for that poor record.And even if the Cardinals turn to rookie Carson Beck at some point, they still aren’t going to rack up wins in 2026. WINRecord: 6-5Week 13 at Tennessee TitansOne good thing about coming off a poor season is getting a somewhat friendly schedule the next year. Now, the Titans certainly have the potential to be much better than they were in 2025. But that doesn’t mean they’re going to be a playoff team.The Commanders should be able to make the trip to Nashville turn out well. WINRecord: 7-5Week 14 vs. Houston TexansThese teams have met only one time in the last eight years, a 2022 game the Commanders won. The biggest challenge for the Commanders will be getting enough pressure on Texans QB CJ Stroud to frustrate their offense.The second biggest challenge will be protecting their own quarterback. The Texans’ defense is tough. WINRecord: 8-5Week 15 vs. Atlanta FalconsThis series has produced excellent games in the last two meetings. The Commanders won in overtime in 2024 while the Falcons pulled off a 34-27 decision last year. This will be the sixth straight year these teams have played each other.Because a lot of things are new for the Falcons, including the addition of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, it's hard to get a good feel for this matchup. But it could be a transition year for the Falcons. WINRecord: 9-5Week 16 at Minnesota VikingsThis will be an interesting season for the Vikings. As good a head coach as Kevin O’Connell is, what will he be able to pull off with the elusive Kyler Murray at quarterback? The Commanders will need a disciplined game plan.This is a tough road game, the Commanders won’t be able to manufacture a win despite the game coming down to the wire. LOSSRecord: 9-6Week 17 at Jacksonville JaguarsThe Jaguars were a big surprise in 2025. Will that carry over to 2026? Their questionable backfield situation says no. A lot of their offense will hinge on whether Brian Thomas Jr. can return to a true WR1 status.This is a road game the Commanders can get. WINRecord: 10-6Week 18 vs. Dallas CowboysThe Commanders simply won’t be able to cover CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. And while they might be able to get some pressure on Dak Prescott, he’s a Commnaders killer at home.Of all of the games on the Commanders’ schedule, this is the least likely game they could win. And they won’t. LOSSRecord: 10-7The final analysisWith a 10-7 finish, the Commanders should be in the playoff hunt throughout the season. However, there’s little chance with that record of earning a division title, and no guarantee of a postseason berth.From a positive standpoint, being in the playoff hunt would be a major step forward from 2025. So Commnaders’ fans will need to be happy with that.The Washington Commanders have reason to believe that Jayden Daniels' 2026 season will be much better. And they have some young guns who could make a quick difference. But will these things translate into wins? Here are the Commanders’ game-by-game predictions after the 2026 schedule release.