Commanders 2026 schedule: Way-too-early record prediction, picks

The Washington Commanders were hoping to take a step forward in 2025 after making a surprise NFC championship game run the previous season. Instead, injuries hindered their progress.

Star quarterback Jayden Daniels made just seven starts during his second season thanks to a litany of injuries. The team also saw players like Terry McLaurin, Sam Cosmi and Dorance Armstrong miss time as the team went 5-12.

Now, Dan Quinn and Co. will look to get back on track after spending the offseason fortifying their defense and getting younger and faster on that side of the ball.

Will the Commanders be able to emerge as a contender once again? It won't be easy, as the Commanders have the eighth-hardest projected strength of schedule, according to Sharp Football Analysis.

Here's what to expect from the Commanders in 2026, including a record prediction for the team and week-by-week projections about how they will perform.

Washington Commanders record prediction 2026

Record prediction: 10-7

Jayden Daniels and the Commanders are hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2025 campaign. Daniels is healthy following an injury-riddled season. He'll still have standout wideout Terry McLaurin as his top target. The Commanders also added tight end Chig Okonkwo to give their offense more firepower.

On defense, Washington bolstered its pass rush during free agency with the additions of edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson. First-round pick linebacker Sonny Styles should also give the Commanders defense a boost.

After winning 12 regular-season games in 2024, the Commanders lost 12 contests last year. If Daniels remains healthy, Washington could make its way back into the playoffs. - Tyler Dragon

Commanders game-by-game picks

• Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles – LOSS
• Week 2: at Dallas Cowboys – LOSS
• Week 3: vs. Seattle Seahawks– LOSS
• Week 4: vs. Indianapolis Colts (London)– WIN
• Week 5: vs. New York Giants – WIN
• Week 6: at San Francisco 49ers ("Monday Night Football") – LOSS
• Week 7: BYE
• Week 8: vs. Philadelphia Eagles ("Sunday Night Football") – WIN
• Week 9: vs. Los Angeles Rams – WIN
• Week 10: at New York Giants ("Thursday Night Football") – LOSS
• Week 11: vs. Cincinnati Bengals ("Monday Night Football") – WIN
• Week 12: at Arizona Cardinals – WIN
• Week 13: at Tennessee Titans – WIN
• Week 14: vs. Houston Texans – LOSS
• Week 15: vs. Atlanta Falcons – WIN
• Week 16: at Minnesota Vikings – WIN
• Week 17: at Jacksonville Jaguars – LOSS
• Week 18: vs. Dallas Cowboys – WIN

Toughest game: Week 1 at Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have been a tough matchup for the Commanders in recent seasons, going 8-3 against Washington since the start of the 2021 NFL season. Getting them in Week 1 will be especially difficult as Daniels looks to shake off some rust and forge a bond with some of his new weapons.

Easiest game: Week 4 vs. Indianapolis Colts. The Commanders have a tough, three-game start to the season with two divisional matchups and a game against the reigning Super Bowl champions. The Colts, who sport a vulnerable front seven and have quarterback Daniel Jones recovering from a torn Achilles, will be a much easier matchup for the Commanders, and Daniels' playmaking should be on full display against Indy's middling pass rush.

Must-watch matchup: Week 3 vs. Seattle Seahawks. How ready are the Commanders to be a contender? We'll find out in Week 3, when they face the reigning Super Bowl champions. Seattle sports an elite defense, so it will be fun to see if Daniels and Co. can find a way to beat it.

Commanders schedule 2026

• Week 1 (Sept. 13): Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 2 (Sept. 20): Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 3 (Sept. 27): Washington Commanders vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 4 (Oct. 4): Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network (London game)
• Week 5 (Oct. 11): Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 6 (Oct. 19): San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Commanders, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN ("Monday Night Football")
• Week 7: BYE
• Week 8 (Nov. 1): Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC ("Sunday Night Football")
• Week 9 (Nov. 8): Washington Commanders vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 10 (Nov. 12): New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video ("Thursday Night Football")
• Week 11 (Nov. 23): Washington Commanders vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN ("Monday Night Football")
• Week 12 (Nov. 29): Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 13 (Dec. 6): Tennessee Titans vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. ET , CBS
• Week 14 (Dec. 13): Washington Commanders vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 15 (Dec. 20): Washington Commanders vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 16 (TBD): Minnesota Vikings vs. Washington Commanders, TBD
• Week 17 (TBD): Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders, TBD
• Week 18 (TBD): Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys, TBD

Commanders home opponents 2026

• Dallas Cowboys
• New York Giants
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Atlanta Falcons
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Houston Texans
• Indianapolis Colts
• Los Angeles Rams
• Seattle Seahawks

Commanders away opponents 2026

• Dallas Cowboys
• New York Giants
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Arizona Cardinals
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Minnesota Vikings
• San Francisco 49ers
• Tennessee Titans

Super Bowl 61 odds

USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon also contributed to this report.