Instant analysis of Commanders' season-opening loss to the Eagles - Commanders Wire

The Washington Commanders lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 24-22 in the season opener Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.

Washington got on the board first with a field goal on their opening drive, going eight plays for 27 yards, which was set up by a 33-yard return on the opening kickoff. The Commanders maintained that 3-0 lead until the Eagles scored a touchdown in the second quarter for the first touchdown of the game.

They scored another touchdown later in the quarter to make it 14-3 before Washington got their first touchdown of the game on a 12-play, 67-yard drive capped off by a one-yard touchdown run from running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The extra point was blocked, making the score 14-9 going into halftime.

In the third quarter, kicker Drew Stevens missed a 54-yard field goal that would have made it a two-point game. Philadelphia made a 35-yard field goal just before the end of the quarter to make it 17-9. On Washington’s next drive, they scored a 10-yard touchdown and kicked the extra point instead of going for two to cut the Eagles’ lead to 17-16.

Philadelphia responded with another touchdown to get the lead back to an eight-point spread at 24-16, but Washington got another touchdown of their own with one minute left in the game. They went for the two-point conversion, and while the pass was complete, it was short of the end zone, and the conversion failed, leaving the score at 24-22 in favor of the Eagles.  The Commanders had an unsuccessful onside kick attempt, and the Eagles ended the game with two kneel-downs from quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels started to look like himself after having an injury-riddled season in 2025. He finished the game completing 18 of 34 pass attempts for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt led the Commanders in rushing yards with 63 yards and an average of 3.9 yards per carry.

This may not have earned any points, but Jayden Daniels’ run showed Commanders fans their quarterback is back to 2024 form. Washington would end up scoring on this drive because of this run as well as a 33-yard completion to rookie receiver Antonio Williams on third down near midfield.

The Commanders will play their next game on the road against the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday before finally having their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sun. Sept. 27 (1 p.m. / FOX).