The Philadelphia Eagles have been dominant since October, securing 16 wins in three seasons, with several signs of a Super Bowl-worthy team. They are on a 10-game winning streak, have the top defense in the league, and had six players selected for the Pro Bowl.
Running back Saquon Barkley has also set team records, coming close to breaking the NFL’s single-season rushing record. The Eagles are 14-1 since October, including two straight postseason wins at home.
However, there’s one team that gave them trouble. That team is the Washington Commanders, who pulled off a remarkable win against the Eagles in December.
This win sparked belief within the Commanders’ camp, including coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, that they might be ready for a Super Bowl run. The Lions were the latest team to feel the power of the Commanders’ defense, which forced five turnovers and led to a dominant 45-31 victory in Detroit.
Eagles Ready for the Rematch
The Eagles, who still remember their December loss to the Commanders, are prepared to face them again. They’ll meet for the third time this season in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles are the favorites, with a 6-point lead according to BetMGM Sportsbook, but they will be dealing with quarterback Jalen Hurts’ left knee injury.
Hurts did not miss any plays after getting hurt during the divisional game against the Los Angeles Rams, and he insists he will play in the NFC Championship Game. This will be a crucial boost for the Eagles after Hurts missed two regular season games with a concussion.
The Eagles won the first matchup against the Commanders 26-18, with Barkley rushing for 146 yards and two touchdowns. In the rematch, the Commanders won 36-33, with Daniels throwing five touchdown passes.
Commanders’ Confidence and Daniels’ Leadership
The Commanders had few believers outside their locker room as they entered the postseason, but Daniels has led the team to six straight victories, including a big win over the Lions. The Commanders are feeling confident and are looking to prove they can handle the pressure of a championship game.
“It’s the final four,” Daniels said. “There’s going to be a lot more eyes on these teams, so you could get out of whack, you could listen to the media, stuff like that. But if you keep your same routine, stay consistent, it will work out.”
Barkley’s Challenge for the Commanders’ Defense
Barkley is coming off a massive game where he rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams. His performance against the Commanders this season has been a mix of highs and lows. In their first matchup, he rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns, but in their second game, Barkley’s numbers dropped after Hurts left the game with a concussion.
Despite the Commanders’ success against him in the second half of their second meeting, Barkley remains focused on the upcoming game.
Barkley commented, “I think they sold out on the run… We still put up 30-something points and had the opportunity to win the football game.”
Daniels Makes History as a Rookie QB
Jayden Daniels has already made history by becoming the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to a conference championship game. If he leads the Commanders to the Super Bowl, he will be the first rookie QB to ever reach the big game. Daniels set a rookie record for rushing yards (891) and has thrown for 567 yards through two rounds of the playoffs.
“He’s the ultimate pro as a rookie,” said receiver Terry McLaurin. “Whether it’s a good play or a bad play, he’s always worried about the next play and how we can execute it at the highest level.”
