Despite starting the 2026 NFL season with a tough 24-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the mood around the Washington Commanders fan base is remarkably positive. While standard logic would suggest a divisional loss would cause panic, this week’s Hogs Haven Reacts survey reveals a fan base that is more optimistic than it was before the Week 1 kickoff.
The 13% confidence surge
As is true in every week of the season (until early December, at least), in each of the first two weeks, Hogs Haven readers were asked if they are confident that the Commanders are headed in the right direction. Remarkably, 83% of respondents voted “yes” this week; a significant 13% increase from the 70% confidence rating recorded just prior to the start of the season.
Why the increased confidence after a loss? The answer lies in how competitive and disciplined the team looked against an elite division rival.
A resilient, upgraded defense: Under new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, the defense showed immediate teeth. They brought intense pressure up front, forcing Philadelphia to punt seven times. While there were defensive breakdowns that yielded explosive plays in both the run and pass game, the overall performance offered evidence that Washington’s front-7 will challenge opponents and that, despite some continuing secondary concerns, the defense will no longer be the patsy it so often was under former DC Joe Whitt.
Jayden Daniels’ poise & protection: The health of quarterback Jayden Daniels is paramount to the team’s success. Against Philly’s highly touted defensive line, Daniels played an incredibly smart game. He protected himself from unnecessary hits while consistently manufacturing big plays as both a passer and a dangerous runner.
Pass protection: Despite offseason anxieties regarding unit depth, Washington’s front surrendered only one sack all afternoon. Jayden’s mobility and smarts combine to help mask most deficiencies in the OL play, and Sam Cosmi, in particular, had an outstanding game against the Eagles highly-touted DL. There won’t be many tougher tests in the trenches against opponents in the ’26 regular season.
BiB: I agree – Cosmi should have been on the list. Here’a a partial make up for leaving him off:
The second-half adaptation: Another massive confidence builder was the coaching staff’s ability to adjust. David Blough’s offense had a noticeably slow start, but the team didn’t fold. Daniels and the unit completely lit up the fourth quarter, orchestrating a furious comeback by scoring touchdowns on both possessions in the final stanza, but ultimately falling a two-point conversion short of tying the game with a minute on the clock. Seeing an offense adapt and thrive late in the game signals potential improvement in the coming weeks and into the remainder of the 2026 campaign.
The rookie standout
The second survey question asked fans to name the player, from among six choices, who put together the best overall game against the Eagles.
Rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams dominated the voting, capturing 52% of the total. Veteran safety Nick Cross followed with 25%, and rookie linebacker Sonny Styles pulled in 20%.
Williams put on an absolute clinic in his first-ever NFL game that was surprising to some fans, but not to all. He was incredibly efficient, turning 4 targets into 4 receptions for 64 yards and a crucial touchdown. His separation speed and reliable hands gave Daniels a trusted go-to option when the pressure mounted.
This stellar debut did not go unnoticed nationally, earning him the fan-voted Pepsi Rookie of the Week award. He becomes the 5th Commanders rookie to win the award since the start of the 2024 season.
The viral sceptre: Tyler Owens explodes onto the scene
While the survey focused on six nominated players, special teams ace Tyler Owens was left off the ballot—though his performance strongly dictates he should have been there. Owens put on an absolute masterclass in third-phase football, executing two beautiful special teams plays that turned heads across the league.
One of his thunderous hits went completely viral on social media immediately following the game. On NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, host Kyle Brandt went as far as breaking his own segment rules, choosing a special teams gunner to win the award of the Week 1 “Angry Runs” sceptre. The media attention Owens garnered this week highlighted the kind of special teams prowess that has been a hallmark of Commanders football ever since ST coordinator Larry Izzo was hired by Dan Quinn in 2024.
Looking ahead to Sunday in Dallas
The division’s collective fan confidence metrics as measured by SB Nation’s Reacts surveys reflect wildly different reactions to the opening week across the NFC East, driven largely by the preseason expectations of each fan base.
Confidence
- New York Giants: 99%
- Washington Commanders: 83%
- Philadelphia Eagles: 70%
- Dallas Cowboys: 19%
The Cowboys’ fan base plummeted to a dismal 19% after they were thoroughly handled by the Giants in Week 1. This sets up a highly urgent, high-stakes Week 2 battle between two old rivals, each desperate to avoid a dangerous 0-2 start to the season.
Details of today’s game
- The Commanders travel to Texas to face the Dallas Cowboys today, Sunday, September 20, 2026
- The Cowboys are favored by 4.5 points, and the over/under per FanDuel is set at 50.5 points
- Kickoff is officially scheduled for 4:25 PM EDT
If Washington can replicate its Week 1 grit while cleaning up a few defensive breakdowns, the Commanders have a prime opportunity to push Dallas deeper into panic mode.
