Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles Picks and Prediction for Sunday September 13 2026

The Washington Commanders travel to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Sunday, September 13, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25 PM ET. This NFC East matchup features Jayden Daniels against Jalen Hurts, but both teams enter 2026 with considerably different questions than they carried into last season. Philadelphia is currently favored between 4.5 and 5.5 points depending on the market, while available totals range around 44.5 to 47.5. With the NFL season just kicking off it is a great time to find the best free NFL picks.

Jayden Daniels Returns After a Difficult Second Season

Jayden Daniels enters Year 3 trying to recapture the form that made his rookie season so impressive. After throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns while rushing for 891 yards and six scores as a rookie, injuries limited Daniels to only seven starts in 2025. He finished last season with 1,262 passing yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 278 yards and two more scores.

Those numbers are important because Washington's disappointing 2025 offensive performance needs context. The Commanders were forced to use multiple quarterbacks, with Marcus Mariota actually leading the team with 1,695 passing yards. Washington still rushed for 2,290 yards as a team, but the offense was never able to build the continuity it enjoyed during Daniels' rookie campaign.

Washington's biggest question entering Philadelphia may be its offensive line. Concern has grown around the unit, including the health of Laremy Tunsil, and that is especially significant against an Eagles defense capable of making life difficult for a quarterback when protection breaks down.

Daniels' mobility provides Washington with a counter. He has already rushed for 1,169 yards in only 24 career regular-season games, and his ability to turn a failed passing play into a first down changes the way Philadelphia has to rush him. The Commanders need that version of Daniels if they're going to pull an upset at Lincoln Financial Field.

Jalen Hurts Gives Philadelphia the More Stable Foundation

Jalen Hurts enters his seventh NFL season after starting 16 games in 2025. He completed 294 of 454 passes for 3,224 yards, 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions, producing a 98.5 passer rating. Hurts also rushed for 421 yards and eight touchdowns.

His rushing production remains one of Philadelphia's defining offensive advantages. Hurts now has 63 career rushing touchdowns and has consistently been one of the league's most productive quarterbacks near the goal line. Since 2022, his winning percentage also ranks among the NFL's best.

Philadelphia continues to build around Hurts and Saquon Barkley, giving the Eagles the ability to attack Washington without becoming one-dimensional. The matchup becomes particularly attractive if Washington's offensive-line issues allow Philadelphia to create pressure and consistently win the field-position battle.

There are still concerns on the Eagles' side. Jonathan Greenard suffered a pectoral injury during the offseason after joining Philadelphia, which affects the pass rush and needs to be monitored as Week 1 approaches. Philadelphia's roster has undergone changes, and this should not automatically be treated as the same Eagles team from previous seasons.

Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles Picks and Prediction

Pick: Washington Commanders +5.5

Philadelphia is my straight-up winner, but Washington +5.5 is the better betting position if that number remains available. Daniels is the critical variable. His 2025 season was derailed by injuries, but his rookie year demonstrated what Washington's offense can become when he is healthy. Getting more than a field goal and approaching a touchdown with a quarterback who can create explosive plays with both his arm and legs provides value in a divisional game. Hurts gives Philadelphia the more stable quarterback situation, but the Commanders don't need to win for us to cash. Take Washington +5.5; at +4.5, this becomes considerably less attractive.

Pick: Under 47.5

If 47.5 remains available, the Under is my preferred total. Washington should have every incentive to protect Daniels, establish its running game and prevent Philadelphia from controlling possession. The Eagles can lean on Hurts and Barkley rather than forcing an aggressive passing approach from the opening possession. Washington's offensive-line concerns also create the possibility of stalled drives rather than touchdowns. A competitive game in the 24-20 or 27-20 range fits the matchup and keeps us below 47.5.

Final Picks: Washington Commanders +5.5 and Under 47.5