PHILADELPHIA, PA. — The Philadelphia Eagles opened the 2026 NFL season with a 24-22 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. While Philadelphia walked away with its first win of the season, the close game showed both the potential and the problems the Eagles will have to address moving forward.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts led the way for Philadelphia, completing 14 of 25 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns while adding 46 rushing yards. Hurts made a number of key plays when the Eagles needed them most, particularly in the fourth quarter as Philadelphia tried to hold onto its lead.
One of the biggest plays for Hurts came on third and 18 in the fourth quarter. Hurts escaped the pressure of Washington’s defense and carried for 22 yards to extend the drive. Two plays later, he hit tight end Dallas Goedert for a 43-yard touchdown, putting Philadelphia ahead 24-16.
Goedert was one of Hurts’ most reliable targets throughout the game. He finished with four catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came on third down. Hurts had a reliable option when the Eagles needed a big conversion with his ability to make plays down the middle of the field.
New Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who came over from Green Bay, also made an immediate impact in his Philadelphia debut. The Eagles got an explosive play from Hurts, who found Wicks for a 64-yard touchdown. Later in the first half, Hurts found Wicks again for a nine-yard score. Wicks finished with two catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, showing he could be another important weapon in Philadelphia’s offense.
Additionally, DeVonta Smith made one of the most spectacular catches of the game. Smith produced an incredible 31-yard sideline reception in the third quarter, making the challenging catch while keeping both feet in bounds. Smith finished with three receptions for 53 yards, but during a period when the offense was having trouble moving the ball consistently, his highlight-reel catch gave the Eagles a boost.
Philadelphia’s offense, however, was far from perfect.
Throughout the afternoon, the Eagles’ offensive line had trouble, especially in the interior. Landon Dickerson was also called for holding, and Cam Jurgens received two holding calls. Philadelphia’s running game frequently failed to create space for Saquon Barkley, and the team gave up three sacks.
Those struggles became especially noticeable in the third quarter, when the Eagles gained only 59 yards and recorded just one first down. Philadelphia went three-and-out on its first three possessions of the quarter, putting additional pressure on Hurts to create plays outside of the normal structure of the offense.
With Zack Baun putting on one of the team’s best defensive efforts, the Eagles’ defense helped offset some of those offensive setbacks. Baun routinely found his way around the football and finished with 12 tackles and a sack. His ability to create plays beyond the line of scrimmage was further demonstrated by his seven-yard tackle for loss on a Washington screen.
Special teams also played a role in keeping Philadelphia in control early in the game. Jalen Carter had a huge play when he blocked a Washington extra-point attempt after a Commanders touchdown. The block kept the Eagles up 14-9 and prevented Washington from adding another point. The play was an important example of how small moments can have a major impact on the final result, in a game that was ultimately decided by just two points.
There were still issues on the defensive side of the ball, especially with Cooper DeJean. DeJean struggled in coverage and allowed several big plays. He threw a 16-yard completion to Antonio Williams that helped set up Washington’s first touchdown and later gave up a 10-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs. DeJean was also flagged for illegal contact in the third quarter.
Despite those struggles, Philadelphia’s defense continued to make plays when it mattered.
Jayden Daniels hit Antonio Williams for a touchdown to bring Washington back to within 24-22 in the fourth quarter, erasing most of Philadelphia’s lead. Instead of kicking the extra point and trying to tie the game, Washington opted to go for two.
The Eagles stopped them.
Defensive tackle Moro Ojomo busted through and threw a stop on Washington’s shovel-pass try to tight end John Bates to preserve Philadelphia’s two-point lead. Then the Eagles recovered Washington’s failed onside kick and killed the clock to win.
The win wasn’t flawless, but Philadelphia proved it can make the big plays in critical moments. Hurts looked comfortable leading the new-look offense, Goedert stepped up as a big part of the passing game, Wicks provided an immediate explosive threat, Smith had one of the best catches of the afternoon, Baun was active all over the defense and Carter made a big play on special teams.
At the same time, Philadelphia has plenty to improve. The offensive line, particularly Jurgens and Dickerson, will need to become more disciplined and consistent, especially since there is a new offensive line coach. DeJean will also need to clean up his coverage issues as the Eagles prepare for tougher opponents.
For now, however, the Eagles can focus on the result that matters most.
Philadelphia is 1-0.
The Eagles pulled out a narrow victory against their rival, the Washington Commanders, but Sunday’s game showed that while this team has plenty of talent, there is still work to be done if Philadelphia wants to turn its first win into the beginning of a successful season.
