Fueled by a standout rookie season from quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders have surpassed expectations and made it to the NFC Championship Game. The big question now is whether Daniels can continue his remarkable rise and guide his team to victory in a heated NFC East rivalry showdown.
DAZN News breaks down three crucial factors that could determine the outcome of the game.
Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, and Dyami Brown vs. the Eagles’ Secondary
Daniels’ running ability has been a key driver behind Washington’s success in 2024, and it will be a vital part of their game plan against the Eagles. But his passing accuracy will also be critical, especially his connection with top receivers Terry McLaurin and Dyami Brown. McLaurin, a consistent performer despite subpar quarterback play in recent seasons, is poised for a crucial role in Washington’s revamped offense under Daniels. Brown, who has found his form recently with impressive playoff performances, will look to continue his momentum after breakout games against Tampa Bay and Detroit.
However, the Commanders’ passing game will face a stiff challenge from the Eagles’ secondary. With talented rookies like cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean alongside veteran Darius Slay, the Eagles have been suffocating opponents’ passing attacks, allowing the second-fewest passing yards in 2024.
Saquon Barkley and the Eagles’ Offensive Line vs. the Commanders’ Defense
Saquon Barkley’s transition to the Eagles has been nothing short of spectacular. After struggling behind a poor offensive line with the New York Giants, Barkley flourished in Philadelphia, rushing for 2,005 yards and becoming only the tenth player in NFL history to do so. The Commanders’ defense, which struggled against the run in 2024, will have to find a way to contain Barkley, with a heavy reliance on winning battles in the trenches. The Eagles’ offensive line has proven dominant, allowing Barkley to run rampant earlier in the season, including four touchdowns and nearly 300 rushing yards across two games.
Eagles’ Pass Rush vs. Commanders’ Pass Protection
The Eagles’ pass rush had mixed results in 2024 but showed signs of improvement in their Divisional Round win, sacking Matthew Stafford seven times. Defensive linemen like Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith will look to disrupt the Commanders’ offensive line and pressure Daniels into mistakes. While Sam Cosmi stands out as a solid pass blocker for Washington, the Eagles will look to exploit weaker matchups, particularly against left tackle Brandon Coleman and left guard Nick Allegretti.
Conclusion
The Commanders’ surprising postseason run has turned heads, but they’ll need to elevate their play even more to defeat the Eagles and advance to the Super Bowl. Daniels has proven his ability to overcome adversity, but the Eagles’ defense presents a major hurdle. If Bobby Wagner and Washington’s defense can contain the Eagles’ potent ground game, which features both Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Commanders’ chances will improve significantly.
