The Washington Commanders revealed their 2026 schedule last week. It’s a difficult start for Washington, with two NFC East road games at Philadelphia and Dallas to open the season. In Week 3, the Commanders play their first home game, and it’s against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
In Weeks 4-6, Washington heads to London, returns home to host another NFC East rival, then goes back on the road, this time for a cross-country trip to San Francisco. That’s a brutal opening stretch.
So, how does the NFL schedule release impact the NFL power rankings? Well, as you know, rankings are subjective. But, longtime NFL columnist Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports recently released his latest version of NFL power rankings titled, “How the Schedule Release Shook Up the League Hierarchy.”
Vacchiano has the Commanders at No. 24, down one spot from No. 23 in his previous version.
Super Bowl odds: +6500
Surviving their first eight games may not be possible. They only play three of those on the road, but they’re at Philly and Dallas to open the season and then off to San Francisco in Week 6. They also play the Seahawks and Rams. They don’t really have a break until they get to Arizona in Week 12.
In Vacchiano’s power rankings, Washington is the lowest-ranked NFC East team. Believe it or not, Vacchiano not only has the Commanders last, but he has the Dallas Cowboys at No. 21 — lower than the New York Giants at No. 19. The Philadelphia Eagles were No. 4. That ranking seems a little high for the Eagles, although they are unquestionably a top-10 team. His ranking of Dallas feels low, although it’s important to remember it’s heavily influenced by the schedule.
The Giants do have an easier early schedule than the Commanders. Does that mean they should be ranked higher? Well, that’s why they play the games. We’ll know a lot about Washington by Week 5, when it has already played each of its three divisional opponents.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Schedule causes a fall in NFL power rankings
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