After an emphatic win in the snow, complete with snow angels, the Philadelphia Eagles are early favorites over the Washington Commanders, who are in the Conference Championships for the first time since 1991 — the year Washington beat the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl. If they make it to the big game again, the Commanders may very well get a rematch with Buffalo, but first, they’ll have to beat the Eagles, who looked complete while battling wind and precipitation.
How to watch Commanders at Eagles
Commanders fans everywhere must be rejoicing in the absence of Dan Snyder after Washington handled the Detroit Lions 45-31 in the NFC divisional round. After going just 4-13 a year ago, head coach Dan Quinn, rookie (and franchise) quarterback Jayden Daniels and company are a game away from their first Super Bowl appearance in over two decades.
Against the Detroit Lions, Daniels completed 71 percent of his passes, threw for two touchdowns (to Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz) and rushed for 51 yards. Dyami Brown led all receivers with six catches and 98 yards, while Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. reached their height as a running back tandem at precisely the right moment. Cornerback and fellow rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, and Quan Martin had a pick-six. Against the high-powered Lions offense, the Commanders held their own on both sides of the ball.
A sixth seed has made it to the Super Bowl only twice, but those sixth seeds (2005-06 Pittsburgh Steelers and 2010-11 Green Bay Packers) came away with the win. The Commanders took out the highest seed and their toughest competition on Saturday, so the sky is the limit. But Philadelphia showed its grit against the Los Angeles Rams, compiling seven sacks and forcing two turnovers.
During the regular season, the Eagles gave up the fewest yards per game and ranked second in points allowed per game. Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith Jr., Milton Williams and Jalen Carter can all get to the quarterback. Expect them to pressure Daniels next week.
On offense, Saquon Barkley continues to look unstoppable. He had over 200 yards rushing and two touchdown scores that went over 60 yards each. Washington’s rush defense struggled mightily during the regular season and ranked 30th in rush yards allowed per game. The Commanders will have to throw everything at Barkley and hope it works if they stand a chance.
For his part, quarterback Jalen Hurts has looked poised and confident in the pocket (despite taking a safety against the Rams), completing 75 percent of his passes with snow circling in Lincoln Financial Field. He finished the game with a brace on his knee, but even that didn’t slow him down.
Philly has the name recognition, experience and tenacity to win, but the Commanders have shown that they are capable of beating absolutely anyone, and Daniels is playing incredibly well, showing no signs that the moment is too big for him.
Ultimately, I’ll take the Eagles — or rather Saquon Barkley against the Commanders rush defense.
Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
(Photo of Saquon Barkley: Brandon Sloter / Getty Images)
