The phone vibrates on the nightstand, another alert from a sports app, and you're wondering the same thing as everyone else in the DMV area: who won today's Redskins game? Or, to be technically accurate for the 2026 season, the Washington Commanders.
It’s Tuesday, January 13, 2026. If you’re looking for a score from a game that happened today, there’s a bit of a reality check coming. The field at Northwest Stadium is empty. The pads are in the lockers.
Washington didn't play today.
Actually, their season ended a little over a week ago. While the NFL playoffs are currently screaming toward the Divisional Round, Washington is already deep into "next year" mode. After a rough 2025-2026 campaign that saw them finish with a 5-12 record, they were officially eliminated from the postseason back in mid-December.
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The Last Hurrah: That Week 18 Shocker
Even though there wasn't a game today, the most recent memory is still pretty fresh for fans. On January 4, 2026, Washington walked into Lincoln Financial Field as massive underdogs against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nobody expected much. Jayden Daniels was shut down. Marcus Mariota was out with a leg injury.
Basically, the team was down to 39-year-old journeyman Josh Johnson.
And somehow, they pulled it off. Washington beat the Eagles 24-17. It was a weird, gritty game. The Eagles were resting some stars like Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley because they’d already clinched a playoff spot, but they still wanted that No. 2 seed. Washington just didn't care about the script. Josh Johnson, looking like he’d found the fountain of youth for exactly sixty minutes, threw a 2-yard touchdown to John Bates to tie it up in the fourth. Then, he actually ran one in himself with 2:32 left on the clock to seal the deal.
It was a "meaningless" game in the standings, but honestly? Beating Philly to ruin their seeding felt like a Super Bowl for a fan base that had endured an eight-game losing streak earlier in the season.
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Why Washington Isn't Playing Today
If you're checking the score today, January 13, it's probably because you see NFL Wild Card highlights all over your feed. The playoffs started on January 10, and yesterday, Monday, January 12, the Houston Texans took down the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 to close out the opening round.
Washington watched that one from the couch.
The 2025-2026 season was supposed to be the "step forward" year under Dan Quinn. After a promising 2024, things just kind of... fell apart. Injuries were the main culprit. Losing Jayden Daniels for a significant stretch took the wind out of the sails of Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Then Terry McLaurin dealt with nagging issues.
By the time they hit Week 14 and got shut out 31-0 by the Minnesota Vikings, the math was over. They were the first team in the league to be mathematically eliminated.
Key Stats from the Final Season Push:
- Final Record: 5-12
- NFC East Standing: 3rd place (ahead of the 4-13 Giants)
- Leading Rusher: Chris Rodriguez Jr. (finished strong with 500+ yards)
- Bright Spot: The defense, led by Bobby Wagner and Mike Sainristil, stayed competitive even when the offense went stagnant.
What’s Next for the Team?
Since the season is over, the conversation has shifted entirely to the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency. The front office, led by Adam Peters, is staring at a top-10 pick.
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The big question is whether they stick with the current trajectory or make an aggressive move for more protection for Jayden Daniels. The 2026 opponents are already set. We know they’ll be facing the NFC West and AFC South next year. That means games against the Rams, Seahawks, and a home date with the Texans.
If you were hoping for a playoff run this January, it’s a tough pill to swallow. But that Week 18 win against Philadelphia showed that the locker room hasn't quit. They’re playing for pride, and in the NFC East, sometimes that’s enough to keep things interesting.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Draft Order: Keep an eye on the official NFL standings now that the Wild Card round is over; Washington's specific slot in the top 10 will be finalized soon.
- Watch the Divisional Round: Even without Washington, the playoffs continue this Saturday, January 17.
- Monitor Injury Reports: Follow the updates on Jayden Daniels’ recovery over the off-season to see if he’ll be 100% for voluntary OTA's in the spring.