Washington Commanders schedule 2026: Dates & times for all 17 games, strength of schedule and predictions

As a rookie, Jayden Daniels guided the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game in 2024. But the 2025 season didn't go as planned.

Daniels dealt with injuries throughout the season as Washington stumbled to a five-win record, lacking offensive firepower while the defense ranked as one of the NFL's worst. But there is reason for optimism in 2026, including Daniels' return as one of the league's most talented dual-threat quarterbacks.

The Commanders, after adding some intriguing pieces like Odafe Oweh, Sonny Styles and Chig Okonkwo, will have hopes for a bounce-back campaign this fall.

Here is a complete breakdown of the Commanders' 2026 schedule, including dates, start times and analysis for all 17 games.

Washington Commanders schedule 2026

• Home opponents: Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Seahawks, Rams, Texans, Colts, Bengals, Falcons
• Away opponents: Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Vikings, 49ers, Jaguars, Cardinals, Titans

Every NFL team's 2026 opponents are predetermined. Washington's full 2026 NFL schedule with dates, times and TV networks will be updated below when the NFL schedule is announced on Thursday. 

Commanders strength of schedule

Last year, with the Commanders having to face the entire AFC West and NFC North while also playing in a competitive division, their schedule didn't work in their favor on top of their injury issues.

Washington's schedule in 2026 is set to fall closer to league average — in fact, the Commanders' 2026 opponents had a combined .502 winning percentage last year, which ranks a dead-even 16th across the NFL.

Toughest tests: After a down year in 2025, expect the NFC East to be competitive again in 2026 — the Eagles retooled, the Cowboys addressed some of their defensive weaknesses, and the Giants have a brand new regime with John Harbaugh, who owns a winning history. Outside of divisional matchups, the Commanders will also be tasked with hosting the defending champion Seahawks and the Rams, along with road matchups in San Francisco and Jacksonville.

Biggest breaks: If the Bengals, Giants or Falcons' offseason changes don't prove beneficial, any could wind up being a favorable home game for Washington. On the road, the Commanders will also take on two of the NFL's bottom-feeders last season, the Cardinals and Titans. 

Commanders record prediction

• Over/under win total: 7.5 (per BetMGM)

Bottom line: If Daniels is healthy, this will be a competitive team — he's far too talented for the Commanders to have another season's worth of struggles. But there do appear to be some differing X-factors for Washington, including Daniels' health, which receivers step up beyond Terry McLaurin and whether Oweh and Styles can make a serious impact for a defense that struggled in 2025, particularly when stopping the run.

Best case scenario: Daniels returns to stardom, Washington's run game remains strong and an improved Dan Quinn defense leads to an NFC East title. But more realistically, the Commanders look like borderline Wild Card contenders until they can prove otherwise.

Record prediction: 7-10