By: Kylan Watson
After beating the Los Angeles Rams last weekend in the Divisional round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs, the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship game. The Eagles were able to score four touchdowns from four Washington turnovers. That helped them beat Washington 55-23, with the win Philly will return to their second super bowl in three years.
The Commanders scored a field goal on their opening drive, the Eagles got the ball back and after Jalen Hurts checked and reloaded during the pre-snap audible call and Saquon Barkley went right down the field on a toss play for a 60-yard opening drive touchdown. Barkley had 15 carries for 118 yards and found the endzone two more times in this for three total in this contest. Saquon has been an enormous difference maker since coming to Philly from the New York Giants during the offseason.
Additionally, with the way Philly called this game anyone with eyes could tell they wanted revenge for that game they gave away a month ago after Hurts went down with a concussion. That was the only game in more than three months that the Eagles have dropped during this season.
Philly’s passing attack was not needed throughout their first two games in the playoffs, but it showed up against the Commanders. Hurts was able to cut Washington’s defense up like a pineapple going through a blender to make a smoothie. He was able to connect with AJ Brown in the end zone and scored three more rushing touchdowns for four total in this game and passed for 246 yards.
The Eagles’ offense finally had a dominant showing in the playoffs. They scored 55 points (The most points ever scored in any championship game) on a Commanders defense that looked dominant before they saw the Eagles in this contest. When Philly has their passing game working in combination with their dominant defense, rushing scheme, and special teams not many teams can hang with them in either conference.
On the defensive side Philly showed why it has one of the most dominant defenses in the league. Jayden Daniels was under attack throughout the opening drive. He was sacked three times and as a team the Commanders turned the ball over four times in this contest. The Eagles made them and scored a touchdown off every one of them.
Philly imposed their will on this contest and if they play like they did tonight in the Super Bowl in two weeks they will win the game and there will be nothing either the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs will be able to do about it. Neither team has an offensive liner that can stop Jalen Carter and Philly’s dominant defensive line.
The Eagles will now have two weeks off to get healthier on their offensive line and prepare for either the Bills or the Chiefs. Philly will need to get pressure and make Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes feel them throughout the game, and they will need to have a balanced attack between their rushing and passing attacks.
Implementing these things into their game plan in two weeks should put them in great position to win their second Super Bowl trophy on Sunday, February 9th, 2025.
