The rubber match for a chance at the Lombardi Trophy.
We now know the rest of this epic season for the Washington Commanders. Making a sixth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history means beating the NFC East division rivals the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. The Eagles were victorious in the first meeting this season, only for the Heart Commanders’ last-second triumph in Week 16.
The winner will then travel to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. For fans, bragging rights are everything, and playing on the biggest stage of the nation’s most popular sport is the ultimate watching opportunity.
It’s time for some initial thoughts before this epic showdown.
This series of franchises began in 1934 and is scheduled for its 181st meeting, but only the second time in the playoffs. In a wild-card game during the 1990 season, Washington beat Philadelphia 20-6 as Art Monk and Gary Clark caught touchdown passes from Mark Rypien. Washington won the Super Bowl the following season. That 1991 team was the last to reach the NFC championship before this Dan Quinn-coached group, which won seven straight games.
With wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round and the Detroit Lions in Saturday’s divisional round, Washington has already won two road playoff games in the same playoffs for the first time times in franchise history. A victory at Lincoln Financial Field would therefore constitute an unprecedented third victory. Washington is 7-3 on the road this season.
GO DEEPER
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Debate if necessary, but there’s a strong argument that the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is already the best quarterback in the NFC in the midst of a rookie season that’s the best in the Super Bowl era.
That statement might not match Jayden Daniels’ uneven touchdown performance in Philadelphia’s 26-18 loss in Week 11. He was likely still dealing with a rib injury, and his only touchdown came 28 seconds from the end.
In the Week 16 rematch, Daniels threw three of his career-best five touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including the game-winner with six seconds remaining for a 36-33 comeback victory.
Daniels delivered once again in Detroit for 299 passing yards and two touchdowns despite the heartbreaking noise from the crowd. Even if Philly fans declare him public enemy No. 1, don’t expect the kid to melt down. He never does.
GO DEEPER
In Jayden Daniels, Washington’s Super Bowl-winning QBs see one of their own
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts finished Sunday’s 28-22 home win despite needing a knee brace after suffering an injury. Injuries were limited in the snowy conditions as the game progressed. Even assuming he faces Washington, concerns will remain about his dual-threat potential.
Hurts left Game 2 against the Commanders in the first quarter with a concussion. He gave Philadelphia a 14-0 lead before the injury. Kenny Pickett deservedly replaced him, but the Eagles’ offensive potential drops significantly without hurting.
They will also monitor impressive rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who left the divisional game against the Los Angeles Rams with a shoulder injury.
The Commanders haven’t done that in two games this season, putting them on par with the league as a whole. Saquon Barkley gashed Washington for 296 of its league-high 2,005 rushing yards and four of its 13 rushing touchdowns.
Certainly, the Commanders rarely slowed down the rushing attacks, ranking 30th in the regular season. Detroit became the fourth team with more than 200 rushing yards against Washington this season.
Losing Sam Cosmi for the remainder of the playoffs – and likely part of the 2025 season – with a torn ACL is brutal. For this specific opponent, removing Washington’s right guard from the board is arguably the worst case scenario for the commanders.
Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, usually lined up against Cosmi in games against Washington, is a disruptive playwright. Thursday night’s Week 11 win over the Commanders is one such example.
Washington has lacked interior depth all season, but that has rarely become a problem. Tackle Trent Scott ably replaced Cosmi against the Lions, but playing out of position against a defensive tackle who is one of the best at his senior level. None of the other replacement options are plug-and-play or seem capable enough to mesh effectively with Carter.
Philadelphia fans are not thrilled with Josh Harris. The NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers have yet to advance past the second round of the playoffs since Harris’ ownership group purchased the franchise in 2011. The Commanders reached the NFL’s version of the third round in year two with Harris at the helm. Therefore, the possibility of his NFL team beating the Eagles in a stadium sharing a parking lot with his NBA team makes for a spicy backdrop.
(Photo by Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts: Elsa/Getty Images)
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