How did schedule release impact Commanders in the NFL power rankings?

The Washington Commanders revealed their 2026 schedule last week. It's a difficult start for Washington, with two NFC East road games at Philadelphia and Dallas to open the season. In Week 3, the Commanders play their first home game, and it's against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks .

In Weeks 4-6, Washington heads to London, returns home to host another NFC East rival, then goes back on the road, this time for a cross-country trip to San Francisco. That's a brutal opening stretch. So, how does the NFL schedule release impact the NFL power rankings?

Well, as you know, rankings are subjective. But, longtime NFL columnist Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports recently released his latest version of NFL power rankings titled, "How the Schedule Release Shook Up the League Hierarchy. " Vacchiano has the Commanders at No.

24 , down one spot from No. 23 in his previous version. Super Bowl odds: +6500 Surviving their first eight games may not be possible.