We don’t have the official dates yet. The league office has yet to put together the actual schedule and will keep it under lock and key until May once it’s created. But after the dust settled on the Week 18 chaos yesterday and with the final standings locked into place, we now know exactly who is on the docket in 2026 for the Washington Commanders.
And honestly? It’s not exactly a gift basket.
The first thing that jumps out is the quarterback talent coming to Northwest Stadium. Because of the AFC rotation and where Washington finished in the standings, Joe Burrow and the Bengals are coming to town. That’s a marquee game immediately. Throw in C.J. Stroud with the Texans, and a visit from the Rams, and the secondary is going to be tested by elite arms right in our own backyard. There are no “ease into it” weeks with that lineup.
But the real story—the one the coaching staff is likely already looking at—is the road trip.
Washington has to fly west twice. Levi’s Stadium against the 49ers is arguably the most physical road game in the NFL right now. That game leaves a mark. You pair that with a trip to Arizona, and the travel miles start piling up fast. Washington also has the Vikings in Minnesota and the Jaguars in Jacksonville—two environments that are uniquely difficult for completely different reasons (noise in one, humidity in the other). It’ll be interesting to see how those games line up on the completed schedule.
The “same place” finish formula the NFL uses was the final piece of the puzzle yesterday. By finishing in third place in the division, Washington secured dates with the Falcons, Vikings, and Bengals. It’s a measuring stick schedule. You’re playing teams that finished in the same spot you did in their respective divisions. The entire NFC East will play the entire AFC South and NFC West next season as well.
So, while we wait for the official release this spring to see when the bye week falls or how many primetime games Washington will get, the picture is clear enough now. The 2026 slate is heavy on star quarterbacks and heavy on travel.
Discover more from HTTR4LIFE.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
