Jayden Daniels’ road back to the playoffs just got a bit harder thanks to something that’s completely out of the Commanders’ control

The Commanders face another hurdle heading into 2026, as Warren Sharp’s strength of schedule projections has Dan Quinn and Co. in a tough spot as they try and get back to the postseason.

Evan Winter — NFL Managing Editor
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Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have an easier road to the playoffs thanks to their strength of schedule.
Oct 13, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

2026 is a very important season for Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Washington is looking to recapture the 2024 magic that rocked the NFL world after a very disappointing 2025 season.

Well, that’s easier said than done after the latest update. Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis released his 2026 strength of schedule rankings on Tuesday and the Commanders have one of the NFL’s hardest strength of schedule routes heading into the regular season.

In all, the Commanders’ 2026 strength of schedule is the eighth-hardest, per Sharp’s formula. Said formula is based on Vegas’ projected win totals for the 2026 season instead of the traditional method that uses last year’s final record for each team.

Sharp’s method contains a lot more logic and is more reliable than the traditional one and it’s easy to see why. Regardless, it projects the Commanders’ strength of schedule in an unfavorable light.

Commanders’ 2026 opponents along with their projected win totals

Obviously, there’s the NFC East where the Commanders have to play the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys twice a year. The Commanders finished third in the NFC East, last year, which hands them a “third-place schedule” when it comes to the teams they play in 2026.

Below is the remaining list of 2026 opponents. Obviously, dates and times have yet to be released. The NFL is expected to dish out the full schedule at some point in a couple of weeks.

Win totals are from DraftKings Sportsbook. The Commanders’ win total is currently set at 7.5.

Home opponents:

  • Cowboys (9.5)
  • Eagles (10.5)
  • Giants (7.5)
  • Seahawks (10.5)
  • Rams (11.5)
  • Texans (9.5)
  • Bengals (9.5)
  • Falcons (7.5)
  • Colts (7.5)

Away opponents:

  • Cowboys (9.5)
  • Eagles (10.5)
  • Giants (7.5)
  • Vikings (8.5)
  • 49ers (10.5)
  • Jaguars (9.5)
  • Cardinals (4.5)
  • Titans (6.5)

It’s easy to see why the Commanders’ strength of schedule is what it is. Not only do they have to play the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, they have to play arguably the top championship contender in the Los Angeles Rams. Next up is the rival Eagles, along with the sneaky-good San Francisco 49ers.

Even the Cowboys pose a much tougher challenge, this year. And, the sky is the limit for the Cincinnati Bengals if Joe Burrow stays healthy.

But hey, this is the NFL, right? There are no cakewalks. But, unfortunately, the Commanders currently have one of the hardest walks to take as they try and get back to the playoffs.

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