Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles Player Stats

The NFC Championship Game on January 26, 2025, between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders was a brutal display of offence and efficiency from both teams, finally resulting in an Eagles victory by a whopping score of 55-23. This granted Philadelphia a spot in Super Bowl LIX, while the Eagles set a record for most points ever scored in a conference championship game.

Right on the first touch, the Eagles were clear about their intent to dominate on offence. On the very first play from scrimmage, running back Saquon Barkley wowed the crowd by scoring a 60-yard run right through the Commanders’ defence. This set the rhythm for the game, and did so for Barkley’s performance as well. Getting the ball 15 times, he made a massive 118 yards and got into the end zone three times. He consistently made the out of the gaps in the Commanders’ defence, which is exactly the reason the Philadelphia team has relied on him all season long.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts backpacked the ground offence with an equally effective aerial assault. He went on to complete 20 out of 28 attempts for 246 yards and a touchdown. His execution during critical junctures of the game, particularly during third downs, showcased admirable poise and decision-making. Additionally, Hurts reaffirmed his dual-threat status by using some QB sneaks and designed runs to rush for three touchdowns against the Commanders’ impenetrable defensive front.

The receiving corps was a valuable asset to the Eagles’ offence. A.J. Brown topped the group with six catches for 96 yards, including a four-yard touchdown grab that increased the Eagles’ second quarter lead. Tight end Dallas Goedert also had a great game as he caught the ball seven times for 85 yards. They efficiently managed to carve out space in the Commanders defence which provided Hurts with reliable options.

Struggles Commanders Have to Face and Overcome Along the Way 

The Washington Commanders had to do the hard work right from the start. It is somewhat surprising that a successful three points was awarded at the end of a drive that consumed more than 18 plays and seven minutes. Fourteen attempts were at least converted, including one successful touchdown pass, that placed Jayden Daniels along with 255 passing yards. In addition to his excellent passing ability, he was also the leading rusher for the team, rushing for 48 yards and even scoring a rushing touchdown. Commanders, however, did not have the game serve them. They had three fumbles and at least one interception which really did destroy any chance of momentum, and instead gave the Eagles easy field position. 

For Washington, tight end Zach Ertz was perhaps the best performer, as he was able to do wonders with both 11 catches and 104 receiving yards. Furthermore, he also made it easier for Daniels by being able to exploit the zone defence of the Eagles. Alongside this, wide receiver Terry McLaurin did score a 36-yard touchdown. Regardless of that, the ever demanding sense of continuity against a solid Philadelphia defence was once again not provided by the commander’s defence.

Key Defensive Plays

Every player on the Philadelphia defence helped the team get the win. Baun the linebacker had an impactful role in the early stages of the game when he managed to force a fumble that helped the Eagles take control of the game. Rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell had an outstanding game, as he was able to contain McLaurin and even make a very important interception in the end zone, which stopped a scoring chance for the Commanders.

The defensive front, with edge rusher Nolan Smith as the spearhead, was victors of the turf against Daniels all the time, which gave rise to three sacks along with many hasty throws. Smith’s disruption to the backfield came during the rather crucial third downs when the Washington Commander’s structural game plan was thrown out the window.

Notable Firsts and Achievements

Along with the emergence of the Eagle’s new ground and pound strategy of football, came the new record of 55 points gracing a single conference championship. The Eagles have taken the title of the new NFC Conference Champions and have solidified their spots in the history books for the most points scored in said game alongside the commanding 7 rushing touchdowns.

Saquon Barkley has managed to position himself in the history books after his performance throughout the postseason. Barkley managed to rack up 442 rushing yards over the span of 3 playoff games, which has placed him among a small group of players who have accomplished this feat during a single postseason. His energy and focus while playing is a large part of the reason why the Eagles were successful in the playoffs.

Looking Ahead

This stunning win means that the Philadelphia Eagles will head to Super Bowl LIX where they will battle the Kansas City Chiefs for the second time in a row after facing the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. With the reassurance of the Eagles’ hyperactive offensive strategy and composed defence, they have every chance to claim the championship. The Washington Commanders featured a lot of hope for the future via their rookie quarterback, despite the loss, and will try to build on the success of this season moving forward.

Moral of the Game

This game shows unrivalled momentum and adaptability. With the opportunity to strike first, the Eagles were extremely aggressive with their play-calling and made it impossible for the Commanders to retake the lead. The ease with which the Commanders were turning the ball over showed the obstacles which the lower-level team was left to face. In football and life alike, success is achieved through ample preparation and the ability to leverage important opportunities.