So, you're looking for the kickoff time? Searching for which jersey to pull out of the closet for the big game? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re asking who do the commanders play this week, the answer is actually: nobody.
While the NFL world is currently buzzing with the high-stakes drama of the Divisional Round, the Washington Commanders are already knee-deep in "next year" mode. After a regular season that wrapped up on January 4, 2026, with a surprisingly gritty 24-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Dan Quinn’s squad finished with a 5-12 record. That win was nice for morale—especially seeing Josh Johnson scramble for a late touchdown—but it wasn’t enough to extend the season.
While teams like the Seahawks and Broncos are fighting for a spot in the Super Bowl, the Commanders are officially on the outside looking in. They’ve traded the gridiron for the scouting trail.
Why the Commanders Aren't Playing This Week
The math just didn’t add up this year. To make the playoffs in the NFC, you generally need to hover around that nine or ten-win mark, and Washington hit a wall mid-season. They finished third in the NFC East, which is a bit of a "no man's land" in the NFL. You aren't bad enough for the first overall pick, but you aren't good enough to keep playing in mid-January.
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Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer. Fans were hoping for a major leap in 2025, but injuries and some defensive lapses kept them back. But hey, at least they ended on a high note by playing spoiler to the Eagles’ seeding in the finale.
Instead of watching Washington this weekend, the NFL schedule is packed with these Divisional matchups:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
Looking Ahead: Who Do the Commanders Play in 2026?
Since the regular season is over, the NFL has already locked in the opponents for the 2026 season. If you're wondering who do the commanders play next, we actually have the full list of home and away matchups. Because they finished third in the division, they get a "third-place schedule," which sounds easy but actually involves some heavy hitters.
Home Games at Northwest Stadium
The 2026 home slate looks pretty brutal, to be honest. You’ve got the usual divisional rivals—Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants—but some AFC powerhouses are coming to town too.
Expect to see C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans make a visit. Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are also on the home docket. That Bengals game is a "strength-of-schedule" matchup because Cincinnati also finished third in their respective division. We’re also looking at the Rams and Seahawks visiting Landover.
Traveling on the Road
The road schedule takes the team out west quite a bit. They’ll be heading to San Francisco to face the 49ers and taking a trip to the desert to play the Arizona Cardinals. They also have games scheduled against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans.
One of the more interesting road games will be against the Detroit Lions. That’s another one of those third-place parity matchups.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Offseason
A lot of folks think that once the answer to "who do the commanders play this week" becomes "nobody," the team just disappears. That’s not how this works. The "real" game is now happening in the front office.
With a 5-12 record, Washington is sitting on a decent draft pick. The talk around town is all about whether they stick with the current QB room or use that high pick to find a franchise centerpiece. There's also the "Cam Ward" rumors—the standout from the 2024 draft class who people hope can finally regain health and form.
The Commanders are in a spot where they have nine home games next year and eight road games. That extra home game is a result of the 17-game rotation.
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Tactical Next Steps for Fans
Since there’s no game to watch this Sunday, here is how you can actually stay productive as a fan:
- Track the Draft Order: Keep an eye on the Divisional results. While the Commanders' pick is largely set, the movement of other teams in the draft order affects who will be available when Washington is on the clock.
- Review the 2026 Opponent List: Start looking at those home matchups. If you're a season ticket holder or planning to go to a game, the Bengals and Texans games are likely going to be the high-demand tickets outside of the NFC East rivalries.
- Watch the Coaching Carousel: Even though Dan Quinn is expected back, the coordinator spots and defensive schemes are likely going under a microscope this month.
The season is over, but the work for 2026 has already started. While you won't see the Burgundy and Gold on your TV this weekend, the foundation for next September is being built right now in the film rooms.
Next Steps:
Stay updated on the official 2026 schedule release, which usually happens in May, to see the exact dates and times for the matchups against the Cowboys, Texans, and Bengals. In the meantime, focus on the NFL Draft projections starting in late February to see which prospects the Commanders are targeting to fix that secondary.