Commanders brewing ‘a recipe for disaster’ against Eagles, and what else the national media is saying about Week 1
From predictions to praise for the Birds' defense, here's what other NFL experts are saying — and why one writer feels "bad" for Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
On Wednesday night, Week 1 of the NFL season kicked off. With it, so did “predictions season” — in which media members rush to their keyboards to forecast every week’s matchups.
The Eagles open up their season on Saturday at home against the Washington Commanders (4:25 p.m. Fox29). Like many around the country, The Inquirer’s four beat writers picked the Birds to come out on top.
Here’s what NFL analysts are saying about the Eagles’ chances this weekend and the team’s overall outlook on the season:
NFL.com: Lots to like about the Birds’ defense
NFL.com polled five of its analysts on all 16 Week 1 matchups, and the Eagles were one of six teams it unanimously picked to win their opener. For NFL.com editor Gennaro Filice, who authored the website’s majority opinion, a major factor was the Birds’ defense.
“I have serious doubts about Daniels’ supporting cast, especially the Laremy Tunsil-less offensive line,” Filice wrote. “That’s a recipe for disaster against Vic Fangio’s defense. Sure, the Eagles’ edge group has question marks, but the front is spearheaded by the devastating DT duo of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. Even if Jayden can avoid those 650 pounds of PAIN, Philly has two athletic linebackers (Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell) to track the fleet-footed quarterback and a pair of first-team All-Pro cover men (Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean) to close his passing lanes.”
» READ MORE: Vic Fangio announces Eagles starter at safety; expect a rotation at edge rusher
Tunsil, the Commanders’ five-time Pro Bowl left tackle, could miss “a significant portion of the regular season” after tearing his triceps in an August practice. Last season, Tunsil let up just two sacks and 15 pressures in 14 starts. The Commanders offensive line ranked 15th overall in pass blocking last year.
Athletic writer feels ‘bad’ for Jayden Daniels
Nick Kostos, a writer for The Athletic, selected the Eagles to win on Sunday — but he has some love for Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
“I feel bad for Jayden Daniels. Less than two years ago, he had the Commanders in the NFC Championship Game as a rookie (coincidentally in Philly against the Eagles),” Kostos wrote. “And it feels like the Commanders are wasting the years on his rookie deal. I love Daniels, but the Eagles might have the best defense in the NFL — and I’m a Jalen Hurts believer. It’s the Eagles or nothing for me here.”
» READ MORE: Neither QB Jalen Hurts nor coach Nick Sirianni faces a make-or-break season in 2026. Good. | Marcus Hayes
Hurts has won seven of his 10 matchups against the Commanders. In those games, the Eagles captain has passed for 2,152 yards, 14 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He’s rushed for another six touchdowns against Washington.
ESPN likes the Eagles on Sunday, not for Super Bowl
ESPN picked the Birds on Sunday and also recently asked 65 experts to predict how the NFL season would shake out. Of that group, just four predicted the Eagles to come out of the NFC. The most common answer was the Los Angeles Rams, as 43 analysts predicted LA as the NFC representative in Super Bowl LXI. Of the four who predicted the Eagles to make the Super Bowl, two chose Philadelphia to win: longtime NFL analyst Kevin Clark and NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
The 65 experts also predicted the league’s MVP, and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow received the most votes (16). No Eagles received votes.
» READ MORE: The Inquirer’s game-by-game Eagles picks, NFL playoff selections and major award winners
Forbes ranks Eagles as ninth most valuable franchise
In 2022, the Eagles were valued at $4.9 billion, per Forbes. Four years and one Lombardi Trophy later, the franchise has more than doubled that evaluation.
The Eagles ranked No. 9 on Forbes’ annual list of most valuable franchises, coming in at a valuation of $10.25 billion. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie purchased the team in 1994 for $185 million.
Lincoln Financial Field made up 13.1% of Forbes’ evaluation. With the stadium’s contract ending in 2032, the franchise is in an “exploratory research” phase on a new or renovated stadium.
The regular season is almost here! All the preseason talk has been about Jalen Hurts and new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. But there’s somebody else who will have a big say in how high the Eagles fly. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane explains why this year, in the absence of traded star A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith has to take the next step, while also taking charge of the Eagles’ wide receivers group. Plus, Jeff dips into the mailbag for listener questions about Jalen Hurts and some key roster spots. Listen here.
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