Honestly, nobody expected that. The Washington Commanders walked into Lincoln Financial Field on January 4, 2026, as massive underdogs, and they walked out with a win that felt a lot bigger than their 5-12 record suggests. If you missed it, the washington commanders final score was a surprising 24-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
It was weird. It was gritty. It was exactly the kind of chaotic season finale that reminds you why the NFL is so unpredictable.
The Eagles were resting a bunch of stars, sure. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley weren't out there taking hits. But a win in Philly is never easy, especially for a Washington team that had been spiraling through an eight-game losing streak earlier in the year. This game wasn't just about a number on a scoreboard; it was about pride and, weirdly enough, a 39-year-old quarterback finding magic one more time.
The Josh Johnson Show and the Washington Commanders Final Score
Let's talk about Josh Johnson. The man is a legend for all the "wrong" reasons—mostly because he’s played for basically half the league. But starting in place of the injured Jayden Daniels, Johnson proved he still has some juice left. He wasn't lighting up the stat sheet with 400 yards, but he was efficient. He finished with 131 passing yards and a crucial touchdown to John Bates.
He didn't panic when they were down 17-10 in the third. He just kept grinding.
The turning point was basically a clinic in "not giving up." Washington trailed by a touchdown entering the fourth quarter. Then, the defense woke up. They held the Eagles' backups to zero points in the final frame. Chris Rodriguez Jr. was the workhorse here, punching in a one-yard score earlier in the game and keeping the chains moving late. He finished with 65 yards on 16 carries, which doesn't sound like much until you realize how many of those yards came when everyone in the stadium knew he was getting the ball.
Why This Score Actually Matters for the 2026 Draft
You’d think winning a meaningless Week 18 game would be a bad thing for a struggling franchise. Usually, fans are screaming about "tanking" for a better draft pick. But here’s the kicker: despite the win, Washington still locked in the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They got the win and kept their high draft slot. Talk about a best-case scenario.
Bobby Wagner also grabbed the headlines, even if the scoreboard didn't show it. He recorded five tackles, which officially pushed him past the 2,000-tackle mark for his career. He’s now in a tiny, elite club with Ray Lewis and London Fletcher. Seeing him hit that milestone while the team secured a victory made the atmosphere feel more like a playoff win than a bottom-dweller finale.
Breaking Down the Scoring Summary
If you look at how the points actually moved, it was a seesaw.
- First Quarter: Both teams were feeling each other out. Total snooze fest. 0-0.
- Second Quarter: Things picked up. Washington managed 10 points, while Philly kept pace with 7.
- Third Quarter: Philly took control. They dropped 10 points on Washington’s head, making it 17-10.
- Fourth Quarter: The comeback. Washington scored 14 unanswered points.
The defense deserves a massive shoutout here. They sacked Tanner McKee three times, with Von Miller getting the last one to shut the door. Miller finishing the season with nine sacks is a huge "I've still got it" statement for a veteran who many thought was washed.
Looking Ahead: The Aftermath of 24-17
So, what does this washington commanders final score mean for the future?
First off, it ended the season on a high note. Dan Quinn and Adam Peters have a lot of work to do this offseason, but going into the spring with a win over a division rival changes the vibe in the locker room. The team finished 3-3 in the NFC East. That’s actually respectable for a team that only won five games all year. They beat the Giants twice and took one from the Eagles.
The biggest question remains the quarterback room. Jayden Daniels is the future, but seeing Josh Johnson manage a game like this shows that the culture of "next man up" is starting to take root, even if the win-loss column doesn't show it yet.
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The 2026 schedule is already looking tough. They’ll be facing the NFC West and AFC South next year. But for now, fans in D.C. can at least enjoy the fact that they didn't finish in the basement of the division—that honor went to the New York Giants.
Actionable Takeaways for Commanders Fans
If you're following the team this offseason, keep an eye on these specific moves:
- The No. 7 Pick: Expect the front office to target offensive line depth or a high-end edge rusher. With the pick locked in, the scouting reports will start focusing on names like Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks Jr.
- Salary Cap Maneuvers: Washington has a decent amount of space. Watch for them to be aggressive in free agency to bolster the secondary, which struggled for most of the 2025-2026 season.
- Coaching Stability: Kliff Kingsbury’s offense had its ups and downs. The late-season surge under Josh Johnson might lead to some minor scheme adjustments to better protect Jayden Daniels in 2026.
The 24-17 final score wasn't just a result; it was a snapshot of a team that refuses to quit, even when the playoffs are out of reach.