Analyst has grave concerns for Commanders early in 2026

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Analyst has grave concerns for Commanders early in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

If there's one team that is a little bit of an enigma, it's the Washington Commanders in 2026.

With Jayden Daniels healthy...for now, and the defense being overhauled, exactly what we can expect from the NFC East franchise is unknown.

Ideally, getting off to a fast start will boost the confidence of Dan Quinn's team, but the NFL hasn't exactly done Washington any favors.

As CBS Sports' John Breech writes, the Commanders face a tough start to the year.

"It's almost like the Commanders are being set up for failure this year," Breech wrote. "For one, they're the only team in the NFL that has to open the season with two straight divisional road games (Eagles in Week 1, Cowboys in Week 2). After that, they have to face the Seahawks in Week 3.

"And the crazy part is that might not even be their worst three-game stretch, because later in the season, they have consecutive games against the 49ers, Eagles and Rams."

MORE:Analyst has bold Bengals prediction for 2026

Commanders can't afford slow start​

It's one thing to start slow, but it's another to potentially be 0-2 in the division.

Facing the division's top two teams, there's a real chance that the Commanders could be swimming against the tide from as early as Week 2, and that's not counting if they lose to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 either.

All NFC teams, and all those that Washington will be fighting for playoff seeding (we hope if Daniels is healthy), and to be 0-3 is nightmare fuel for Quinn.

So, the Commanders have to start the season, you would think at worst 1-2, but beating any of those NFC teams looks like a tall order.

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• Ravens' 2026 playoff hopes hinge on fast start?
• Analyst has bold early-season Chiefs prediction
• Why Chargers' 2026 season could be over embarrassingly early

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