When the Philadelphia Eagles kicked off their 2026 NFL season, fans expected a hard-fought divisional clash, and that is exactly what they got. In a game that came down to the final minute, the Eagles edge out Commanders 24-22 in a nail-biting finish at Lincoln Financial Field.
Despite jumping out to a lead, the Eagles found themselves in a defensive dogfight against a Washington team sporting a new, aggressive defensive scheme. Fortunately, quarterback Jalen Hurts and the newly revamped Philadelphia offense proved they had the firepower to stay ahead. Hurts was highly efficient, throwing for 203 yards and three touchdowns without turning the ball over, while also scrambling for 46 clutch yards.
Key playmakers stepped up when it mattered most. Tight end Dallas Goedert was a mismatch all night, snagging two touchdowns, including a highlight-reel 43-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter. Newcomer Dontayvion Wicks made an immediate splash in his Eagles debut with a 64-yard deep catch and a second-quarter touchdown. On the ground, Saquon Barkley churned out 83 rushing yards, punctuated by a 42-yard breakaway that kept the Washington defense on its heels.
However, Washington’s quarterback Jayden Daniels refused to go down quietly. He orchestrated a tense late fourth-quarter drive, finding rookie Antonio Williams for a one-yard touchdown that brought the score to 24-22 with a mere 61 seconds remaining. As Washington lined up for the game-tying two-point conversion, the tension at Lincoln Financial Field was palpable. The Commanders dialed up a shovel pass to tight end John Bates, but Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo instantly blew up the play, stuffing Bates at the line of scrimmage to save the game.
This dramatic final stand allowed the Eagles to escape a late surge to top the Commanders and secure a 1-0 start to the 2026 season. The victory was a complete team effort, bolstered by defensive anchors like Zack Baun, who tallied a game-high 12 tackles, and Jalen Carter, who crucially blocked a Washington extra-point attempt just before halftime—a play that ultimately forced Washington into their failed two-point scenario at the end of the game.
With 318 total net yards and a dominating time of possession, Philadelphia established its early dominance in the NFC East, setting a gritty, resilient tone for the rest of the year.
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