How the Washington Commanders Can Defeat the Eagles and Reach Super Bowl LIX

The Washington Commanders Return to the NFC Championship

For the first time since the 1991 season, the Washington Commanders will play in the NFC Championship, facing their NFC East rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. This marks the fifth time two teams from the NFC East will meet in the NFC Championship. The last such matchup occurred in the 1986 NFC Championship, where the New York Giants defeated the then-Washington Redskins 17-0. In the previous four meetings, the home team has emerged victorious.

This will be the second postseason meeting between the Eagles and the Commanders. Washington defeated Philadelphia 20-6 in the 1990 Wild Card round.

The Commanders enter this game riding a seven-game winning streak, while the Eagles have won 14 of their last 15 games. The two teams split the regular-season series: Philadelphia won the first matchup in Week 11, defeating Washington 26-18, thanks to Saquon Barkley’s 146 rushing yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Washington claimed the second matchup in Week 16 with a thrilling 36-33 victory, overcoming a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit. In that game, Jayden Daniels threw five touchdowns, including three in the fourth quarter and a game-winning pass with six seconds remaining.

For the third installment of this storied NFC East rivalry, here are three critical keys the Commanders must execute to clinch a berth in Super Bowl LIX.

1. Control the Clock

The Commanders’ success this postseason has largely stemmed from their ability to dominate time of possession (TOP) and extend drives through third- and fourth-down efficiency.

In their Wild Card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Commanders controlled the ball for 35:26, converting 8 of 15 third downs and 3 of 5 fourth downs. In the Divisional Round win over the Detroit Lions, Washington maintained possession for 33:59, going 4 of 12 on third down and 3 of 4 on fourth down.

To defeat the Eagles, the Commanders must continue this trend. Sustaining drives and keeping the Eagles' potent offense off the field will be essential.

2. Jayden Daniels’ Mobility

A key factor in Sunday’s game will be quarterback Jayden Daniels’ ability to make plays with his legs.

In Week 11, Daniels was limited to just 18 yards on seven carries. However, in Week 16, he broke out for 81 rushing yards on nine carries. When Daniels is effective as a runner, it opens up the offense, creating opportunities for running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler to move the chains. It also forces the Eagles’ defense to second-guess his next move, making Washington’s offense less predictable.

3. Force Jalen Hurts to Be a Passer

For Washington to succeed, they must dictate the tempo and build an early lead. This would force Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to rely on his passing rather than his running ability.

In last week’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Hurts completed 15 of 20 passes for 128 yards. He also rushed for 70 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown on the opening possession. The Eagles excel in the run game, ranking second in time of possession with an average of 32:22 per game. Limiting Hurts’ ability to run and making him a passer will give Washington a better chance to control the clock and neutralize Philadelphia’s strengths.

While there are numerous factors that could influence the outcome, these three keys—controlling the clock, utilizing Jayden Daniels’ mobility, and making Jalen Hurts a passer—are interlinked. If the Commanders execute them effectively, they should find themselves punching their ticket to Super Bowl LIX.