Late two-point stop leaves Commanders short in 24-22 opening loss to Eagles
Retrospective: Washington rallied behind fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams, but a failed two-point attempt sealed a 24-22 loss in the September 13 opener.
Retrospective recap: This article covers the game played 2026-09-13. Records and game context are reported as of that date.
Washington gave itself one final chance to erase an uneven opening afternoon in Philadelphia. Jayden Daniels found Antonio Williams for a one-yard touchdown in the final two minutes, but Moro Ojomo stopped John Bates on the ensuing two-point attempt. The Commanders lost 24-22 at Lincoln Financial Field, beginning the 2026 regular season 0-1 while the Eagles moved to 1-0.
The finish compressed Washington’s problems into a narrow margin. Earlier, Jalen Carter blocked the extra point after Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s one-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, a penalty after Stefon Diggs’ touchdown left Washington kicking an extra point instead of attempting to tie the game. The Commanders eventually reached the end zone again, but Philadelphia defended the conversion and DeVonta Smith recovered the onside kick.
Washington opened with a 55-yard Drew Stevens field goal, then struggled to sustain its offense against pressure. The Commanders’ own game-day account repeatedly described tight passing windows and stalled possessions. Croskey-Merritt helped change that before halftime, finishing a 67-yard touchdown drive that cut the deficit to 14-9 after the blocked kick.
The defense supplied opportunities in the third quarter. Sonny Styles recorded a sack, and Washington’s front continued to disrupt Jalen Hurts. The offense could not turn that stretch into points. Stevens missed a 54-yard field-goal attempt, and Philadelphia added a field goal to enter the fourth quarter ahead 17-9.
Daniels’ touchdown pass to Diggs brought Washington within a point. Philadelphia answered with the game’s decisive scoring drive: Hurts escaped for a 22-yard gain on third-and-18, then found Dallas Goedert for a 43-yard touchdown. Goedert scored twice, finishing with four catches for 77 yards. Hurts threw three touchdown passes overall.
Williams gave Washington an encouraging contribution within the loss, catching four passes for 64 yards and his first NFL touchdown. Croskey-Merritt carried 16 times for 63 yards and a score. Washington gained 295 yards and converted five of 15 third downs. The late rally made the opener close, but the offense’s earlier empty possessions left little room for the missed conversion that decided it.
Sources: Official game report · Official game report · Official schedule.
Prepared with AI assistance by NSMT Commanders Desk from the linked official records. This article does not represent on-site reporting or independent interviews.