The NFL has officially set the 2026 regular-season schedule for release on Thursday, May 14. With anticipation building, it’s time for some fun speculation by crafting a mock schedule for the Washington Commanders before the league potentially leaks game details on Monday. Scheduling isn’t random—game days and times come with reasoning based on matchups, divisional rivalries, and prime-time appeal. While predicting exact weeks is nearly impossible, looking ahead is always entertaining. Here’s a projected 2026 Commanders schedule with notes on why each game might land where it does.
**Week 1 – September 13:** at New York Giants, 1:00 PM
**Week 2 – September 21:** vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 PM (Monday Night Football)
**Week 3 – September 27:** at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 PM
**Week 4 – October 4:** vs. Houston Texans (in London, England), 9:30 AM
**Week 5 – October 11:** BYE WEEK
**Week 6 – October 18:** at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 PM (Sunday Night Football)
**Week 7 – October 25:** vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 PM
**Week 8 – October 29:** at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 PM (Thursday Night Football)
**Week 9 – November 8:** vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 PM
**Week 10 – November 15:** at Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 PM
**Week 11 – November 22:** vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 PM (Sunday Night Football)
**Week 12 – November 29:** vs. New York Giants, 1:00 PM
**Week 13 – December 6:** at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 PM
**Week 14 – December 13:** vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 PM
**Week 15 – December 20:** at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 PM
**Week 16 – December 27:** vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 PM
**Week 17 – January 3:** at Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 PM (Sunday Night Football)
**Week 18 – January 10:** vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 PM
**Scheduling Rationale**
The NFL traditionally opens the season with divisional clashes. The Commanders have opened at home against the Eagles, Chargers, Jaguars, and Cardinals (2020–2023), and the Giants in 2025, so a road opener for 2026 fits the pattern.
– **Week 2:** A marquee Monday night matchup between Heisman winners and former LSU quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow, recalling their high-scoring thriller in 2024.
– **Week 4:** An international AFC-NFC clash in London, featuring Daniels against C.J. Stroud.
– **Week 5:** A bye week for teams returning from international play.
– **Week 6:** A prime-time NFC East battle on NBC Sunday Night Football.
– **Week 8:** A Thursday night showcase between Trevor Lawrence and Jayden Daniels.
– **Week 11:** A Sunday night duel between Matthew Stafford and Jayden Daniels.
– **Week 16:** The NFL likes to schedule Eagles-Commanders late in the season.
– **Week 17:** Cowboys-Commanders is a traditional late-season prime-time matchup.
**Final Note:** The Commanders’ 2026 mock schedule features one Monday Night Football game, one Sunday morning international game, one Thursday night game, three Sunday night games, and three 4:25 PM kickoffs.
