The Washington Commanders have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL in 2026. That doesn’t change the ultimate goal, which is to get to the Super Bowl and win it. General manager Adam Peters had clear goals this offseason and was intentional about how to achieve them.
To get to the postseason, though, the Commanders have to win games. And while getting a Wild Card spot at least furthers their season, it would be ideal for them to win the division outright. Sharing a division with the Philadelphia Eagles, though, makes that kind of a lofty goal.
Since Nick Sirianni took over as head coach, the Eagles have not missed the playoffs, and they’ve ranked either first or second in the division. That’s five straight seasons with a postseason appearance, including two Super Bowls, one of which they won. They have the seventh-easiest strength of schedule in 2026, while the Commanders, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys all have a strength of schedule in the top 10 of difficulty.
So, while the Eagles have the best odds of all division champions to repeat and lead the NFC East, that doesn’t mean that’s what will happen. As indicated above, the Commanders had clear goals entering the offseason, and they were intentional about how to achieve those goals. The defensive improvement isn’t just seen on paper; it’s palpable when you see Sonny Styles on the field with the rest of the linebackers.
The aura around this team is different this year. It’s not the same as when Jayden Daniels was drafted; that felt more like cautious optimism. This year, it feels like an expectation, and it feels like the organization has done well to support its young quarterback entering his third season. Not just with offensive adjustments, but with the additions made to the defensive line and linebacking groups, the burden isn’t just on Daniels.
The Commanders’ odds to win the NFC East aren’t great, but neither were they great in 2024 when the Commanders made it to the NFC Championship. Odds are just numbers. Football is played on grass, where nothing is certain.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Can they dethrone Eagles as NFC East champs?