PREVIEW – NFC Championship: One Last NFC East Showdown Between Washington Commanders and Eagles Part III
There’s only one more team between the Philadelphia Eagles and their 2nd trip to the Super Bowl in the last 3 seasons.
The Washington Commanders
The Eagles split the season series between the Commanders. With a 26-18 win in Philadelphia in Week 11, followed by a 36-33 loss at Northwest Stadium in Week 16. Ultimately, this cost the Eagles a chance to play for the 1st Seed in the NFC during Week 18.
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
In the first match, the Eagles outgained the Commanders 434 to 264 in total yards. Had it not been for 2 Missed Field Goals and a 3yard line red zone trip, it settled for 3 points. The Eagles offense controlled over 33 minutes of game clock.
The difference in the high-scoring affair was the lack of Jalen Hurts for over 3+ Quarters of the game. After being taken out of the game with a concussion, Kenny Pickett took over the game to finish off a red zone drive to go up 14-0.
After that drive, the Eagles’ offense, without its starting quarterback, scored 19 more points in 57 minutes of game clock. With multiple short fields due to 4 turnovers, the offense gained 305 yards on 10 drives after going up 14-0. They are going just 1/14 on 3rd down conversions and 3/3 on 4th downs.
Even with 5 turnovers throughout the game. Giving Washington the ball back at every opportunity allowed them to keep the score close. And when the defense gives up 7/13 3rd down conversions. They’ll never get off the field.
Road Through The Playoffs
The Eagles have managed their way through two previous opponents this season before ultimately beating them in the playoffs.
Beating the Packers 34-29 in Week 1 and 22-10 in the Wildcard. They beat the Rams 37-20 in Week 12 and 28-22 in the Divisional round.
While the defense managed to secure the win for the Eagles, the Commanders’ offense is what’s gotten them through their path to the NFC Championship Game.
With a 45-31 victory over the Lions, the Commanders punched their ticket to the 2nd last game of the year by decimating an injury-plagued Lions team that limped to the finish line.
After walking through Tampa Bay, who also arrived at the playoffs broken and injured, Washington had already upset the 3rd seed on the road and would make their way to upset Detroit after having a week off.
Now, on their 3rd road game in the playoffs, the Eagles are the only thing stopping them from reaching the Super Bowl.
Scoring 45 against the Lions was barely enough, though, as the Commanders’ defense still gave up 521 total yards and 31 points. What really got them ahead of the game was forcing 5 turnovers, including 3 in the red zone, preventing multiple scores from being added to the Lions’ total.
The Eagles lacked the ability to capitalize on costly turnovers like that in their 2nd game against the Commanders. Hopefully, with QB1, that’s an avoidable problem.
Heading Into Sunday
With a trip to New Orleans & Super Bowl 59 on the line, this game is for all the marbles.
Commanders’ DC Joe Whitt has already commented about the physicality they plan to play with. And the Eagles should follow suit.
They’ve been in this situation before, hosting an NFC Championship Game against a rookie QB just 2 seasons ago.
Now, with an MVP-finalist running back in Saquon Barkley, they’ll look to finish the job against what could be the same opponent they lost to in Super Bowl 59.
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
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