Snap the Skid: Eagles at. Commanders Week 8 Preview
Oct 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon (9) runs after making a catch as Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (14) defends during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Five straight losses have the Eagles looking down the barrel of a lost season, but Sunday night looks like a game where they can turn their luck around.
The 2-5 Eagles are chasing their first win since Week 2 when they visit the 1-4-1 Commanders at Northwest Stadium. It is the first five-game losing streak for the Eagles since 2016, and a 38-21 loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football gave the defense plenty to be concerned about.
The Eagles beat Washington 24-22 in the Week 1 opener at Lincoln Financial Field, and little from that day remains on the field. Jalen Hurts is on injured reserve with blood clots, Lane Johnson is retired, and the Eagles traded Cam Jurgens to Baltimore.
Washington lost wide receiver Terry McLaurin for the season, but the Commanders have Jayden Daniels at quarterback and come into this game rested after a bye. Meanwhile, the Eagles have Tanner McKee under center, looking to take a step towards improvement.
McKee Needs a Full Game From the Offense
Tanner McKee is getting ready to make his third start of the season, coming off a performance where he tossed 23-of-35 for 211 yards, one touchdown, and a late interception. While offense has been a struggle for this Phialdelphia team, the Eagles scored three touchdown drives against Dallas, including their first opening-drive points of the season.
The offensive line returns intact for the first time this season with Landon Dickerson at left guard and Drew Kendall at center. Washington blitzes on 44% of snaps, second most in the NFL, so McKee will have to make quick decisions in this game.
The red zone could decide it. Washington allows touchdowns on 82% of opponent trips inside the 20, the worst rate in the league, and the Eagles score touchdowns on 14 of 19 red zone trips, fourth best.
Saquon Barkley is expected to go for the Eagles as he deals with hamstring and back injuries. He’s coming off a solid performance last week where he ran for 62 yards and a touchdown on seven carries before his back tightened up. However, if he can’t go, it’ll be Elijah Mitchell and Jaydon Blue who will be getting the touches as the Eagles could potentially be down to running backs six and seven if Barkley is out.
Lemon Stays in the Spotlight
DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks both did not practice Thursday, likely meaning that both wideouts will miss a second straight game, meaning that Makai Lemon will once again be in play for top targets this weekend.
Last week, the rookie wideout caught seven passes for 67 yards and his first career touchdown against Dallas after totaling 18 catches for 127 yards and no touchdowns in his first six games.
Lemon does his best work underneath and out of the slot, which fits a quarterback who needs quick throws against a blitz-heavy defense. Dallas Goedert gives McKee a second reliable option. He scored twice against Washington in the opener, and the Commanders have had trouble covering tight ends this season.
Commanders Lean on Daniels and the Ground Game
Jayden Daniels went 29-of-40 for 300 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers in their last game, and he has not turned the ball over this season. Terry McLaurin is gone, so Stefon Diggs, rookie Antonio Williams, and tight end Chig Okonkwo will have to carry the passing game.
The Eagles have recorded only eight sacks all season, and outside linebacker Nolan Smith, who has had the most success in the pass rush with three sacks, missed the Dallas game with a concussion and was limited at practice Thursday, leaving his status for Sunday night up in the air.
The run game is more worrisome for the Eagles. The Cowboys, who ranked 30th in the league in rushing, left Monday Night with 204 yards rushing yards. Javonte Williams ran for 155 of them, also scoring a touchdown, while averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
Washington averages 125.2 rushing yards per game, and with Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve, Daniels will share the load with Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols and Austin Ekeler.
Steve Hamilton
Steve may have been born in California, but don’t let that fool you. After dating a local woman and clashing with her and her family over sports for decades, he has an affinity for Philly sports. Balancing love for Philly and Bay Area sports teams may seem impossible; we can all agree that the Cowboys are the true evil.
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