Breaking down key matchups in Commanders’ clash in rematch with Philadelphia
Date/Time: Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Northwest Stadium (Landover, MD)
The Washington Commanders come off their bye week with a 1-4-1 record and serious questions surrounding both the fate of their season and the future of head coach Dan Quinn. Terry McLaurin was lost for the year in their Week 6 matchup, while running back Bill Croskey-Merritt remains on the injured reserve list. In McLaurin's absence, Dan Quinn expects Antonio Williams' snaps to increase, with Chig Okonkwo's role as a receiving threat expected to grow as well. Washington will look to use a committee approach in the backfield with Rachaad White, Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols.
Fortunately for Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders, they face a 2-5 Eagles team that has lost five straight games, their longest winless streak since 2016. Paired with the season-ending loss of Jalen Hurts due to blood clots, the Eagles could be in tank mode as they head to Northwest Stadium in Week 8.
Backup quarterback Tanner McKee has struggled behind an offensive line that has been reshuffled multiple times following the trade of Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens and retirement of long-time right tackle Lane Johnson. Left tackle Jordan Mailata is the only player to play 100% of the team's offensive snaps this year, while veteran Tyler Steen currently mans the right guard slot. Left guard Landon Dickerson and center/guard Drew Kendall both returned from injuries Monday night, while third-round rookie tackle Markel Bell made his first career start in Week 4.
In two starts, McKee has thrown for 426 passing yards, 2 TDS, and 1 INT with a QBR of 35.4 this season. Saquon Barkley has been hampered by injuries over the past few weeks, and his status for Sunday night's game is still uncertain. The Eagles placed backup Dameon Pierce on injured reserve Wednesday and signed practice squad running back Jaydon Blue to the active roster. Blue would be in line for more opportunities if Barkley misses any work Sunday night. Wide receivers Devonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks still lead the team in receiving, but first-round selection Makai Lemon had the best game of his rookie season on Monday night as McKee managed three solid quarters of play against a beleaguered Dallas defense.
Makai Lemon had his best game as a pro, setting career highs in catches and yards while scoring his first NFL touchdown.
- Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) October 27, 2026
7 REC, 67 REC YDS, 1 TD vs Cowboys pic.twitter.com/jS220ShZmu
It was the defense that surprisingly failed the Eagles as Vic Fangio's squad came apart on Monday night at Lincoln Financial Field. Missing only two starters, the Eagles defense was gashed for over 200 yards on the ground by a Dallas rushing attack that ranked 30th in the league coming into the game while giving up over 400 yards of total offense.
Eagles' Defense All22 Thread vs. Cowboys. Buckle up. 1) The Cowboys absolutely destroyed the Eagles with Jumbo (6 OL) personnel. The Eagles had no answers all night. Some of the gaps were as big as you will ever see at this level.
- Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) October 27, 2026
No single player or reason made it so bad. But... pic.twitter.com/ulxLxZueEn
It is possible that the defense finally broke under the weight of an offense that has struggled all season. As noted by Bleeding Green Nation, through their first seven games, the Eagles' defense has been on the field for 67.3 plays per game, 4th-most in the NFL. This is due to Philadelphia's offense leading the league in three-and-outs. Fangio's defense has been on the field an average time of possession of 32:19, which is the second most in the league. No matter the reasons, the Eagles have struggled on both sides of the ball this season.
The Eagles offense in 2026:
- Jake Rabadi (@JakeRabadi) October 27, 2026
- 29th in EPA/play
- 30th in success rate
- 26th in dropback EPA
- 31st in dropback success rate
The Eagles defense in 2026:
- 27th in EPA/play
- 25th in success rate
- 29th in rush defense success rate
- 31st in rush defense EPA
Bad team.
Unfortunately for Quinn and the Commanders, the Eagles' weaknesses mirror their own. While Philadelphia's defense ranks 31st with a 28.7% pressure rate, the Commanders' offensive line is allowing pressure 40.0% of the time. Similarly, while the Eagles offensive line ranks 27th in allowed pressures with a 36.5% rate, Washington's defense ranks 17th in pressures with a 34.4% pressure rate and each defense has been extremely poor at generating quick pressures. Both teams have been bad in the trenches, but something will have to give on Sunday night.
Coming off the bye, it will be interesting to see how the addition of Steve Wilks impacts Washington's defensive game plan. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is expected to be out, but if there is any matchup that will finally allow the Commanders' defense to get going, this is the one.
Expect offensive coordinator David Blough to pick up where he left off in the fourth quarter of the season opener and target Cooper DeJean heavily in the passing game while allowing quarterback Jayden Daniels to make plays with his legs. The Eagles' cornerback has seen his play fall off precipitously this year in both coverage and run support.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Cooper DeJean has allowed 4 Rec TD on 40 targets this season after allowing 1 Rec TD on 125 targets in the 2024 and 2025 seasons combined. https://t.co/fSFHq8RS59
- ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) October 27, 2026
General manager Howie Roseman may be more interested in losing this game than winning it, but expect head coach Nick Sirianni to do his best to get his team a victory in primetime. Meanwhile, Dan Quinn faces a must-win game that will determine both his team's playoff aspirations for the remainder of the season and his continued tenure as head coach.
Betting LinesOddsmakers have established the home team as the favorite for this matchup.
Point spread: Commanders -5.5
Point total: 40.5
The Over/Under at 40.5 means the oddsmakers expect Sunday night's game to be low-scoring.