An inside have a look at the Commanders-Eagles NFC Championship showdown at Lincoln Monetary Discipline in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon:
Marquee matchup
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels vs. Eagles security C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Daniels is attempting so as to add a layer to one of the best rookie quarterback season of all time by changing into the primary to achieve the Tremendous Bowl.
Most of his throws go to 1,000-yard receiver Terry McLaurin, however tight finish Zach Ertz has re-emerged as a primary look within the purple zone late in his profession.
Standing of their means is a ballhawk with six interceptions in every of his previous two seasons taking part in for the Eagles (2022 and 2024).
Is it a coincidence that Daniels threw three of his 5 landing passes in opposition to the Eagles in Week 16 after Gardner-Johnson was ejected early within the third quarter for 2 personal-foul penalties? Johnson stated afterward that he has to “develop the hell up.”
“I believe he’s at all times identified how vital he’s to the protection. We positive do,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni stated. “He’s been simply so good at taking the soccer away and taking part in with vitality. He has an impression on video games.”
Dunleavy’s determination
An argument may be made the Eagles’ roster is healthier at each place besides a very powerful one, the place Daniels would possibly already be the NFC’s finest quarterback.
Saquon Barkley has been unstoppable all season — much more so in opposition to the Commanders (296 yards and 4 touchdowns on the bottom in two video games).
He and the 4 Professional Bowlers on the offensive line may win the sport on their very own.
Defensive sort out Jalen Carter took his Professional Bowl season to new heights with two sacks and a pressured fumble final recreation.
Not a very good first time for the Commanders to be with out their finest offensive lineman, after proper guard Sam Cosmi’s ACL harm.
Eagles 31, Commanders 27
4 downs
Hurts so good: Quarterback Jalen Hurts (knee) was a full participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practices after he was restricted Wednesday. His mobility clearly was restricted on the finish of final week’s win.
Hurts stated his restoration is “progressing” however he “anticipates” carrying a knee brace. If he scrambles, the Commanders gained’t take sympathy.
“We’re going to deal with him like a working again,” defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. stated. “We’re going to hit him that means. That’s their determination in the event that they wish to get him hit the way in which that he will get hit.”
Tight finish Dallas Goedert (ankle) is able to go after not training Thursday. Middle Cam Jurgens (again) is questionable.
For the Commanders, defensive sort out Da’Ron Payne (knee, finger) is out, however linebacker Bobby Wagner (ankle) will play.
Revenge recreation: Brian Johnson was thought-about a rising star when the Eagles made the Tremendous Bowl two years in the past.
He was the quarterbacks coach liable for Hurts’ speedy improvement into NFL MVP runner-up and offensive coordinator-in-waiting as quickly as Shane Steichen left to be the Colts head coach.
Effectively, Johnson’s one season calling performs was a disappointment. He was fired final January.
One 12 months later, Johnson is passing recreation coordinator for the Commanders beneath offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury throughout Jayden Daniels’ rookie-record-setting debut.
“Simply having the ability to share some issues he used with Jalen there in Philly — some issues that labored, some issues he needs he would’ve carried out otherwise — with Jayden has been enormous,” Kingsbury stated. “As a result of clearly that’s immediate credibility of success they’d there. He’s been a blessing for us.”
Third-and-8: With a win, the Commanders will turn into simply the third No. 6 seed to achieve the playoffs and the third group to beat its convention’s prime three seeds (No. 3 Buccaneers, No. 1 Lions and No. 2 Eagles) en path to the Tremendous Bowl.
Dan Quinn, who beforehand took the 2016 Falcons to the Tremendous Bowl, would be a part of Invoice Parcells (Patriots, Giants), Don Shula (Colts, Dolphins), Dick Vermeil (Eagles, Rams), John Fox (Panthers, Broncos), Mike Holmgren (Packers, Seahawks), Dan Reeves (Falcons, Broncos) and Andy Reid (Chiefs, Eagles) because the eighth head coach to steer a number of franchises to the Tremendous Bowl.
Parcells, Shula and Vermeil are Corridor of Famers, Holmgren is a present finalist, Reeves is overdue for choice and Reid is a future lock.
Fourth-and-gutsy: The Commanders led the NFL throughout the common season by changing almost 87 p.c of fourth downs (20-for-23).
Their 66.7 p.c hit fee within the playoffs (6-for-9) in opposition to good defenses is much more spectacular.
Quinn bypassed 4 subject objectives within the win in opposition to the Buccaneers, turning 12 factors into 14 when going 2-for-4 on fourth downs led to 2 touchdowns.
The Commanders’ three conversions in opposition to the Lions — one of many NFL’s most aggressive fourth-down groups — all led to touchdowns.
The Eagles transformed 73 p.c (19-for-26) throughout the common season on the again of probably the most unstoppable performs within the NFL: the “Tush Push.” 9 out of 10 fourth-and-1 runs moved the chains.
Considered one of coach Nick Sirianni’s four-year hallmarks goes for fourth downs in Eagles’ territory.
“I believe the sport stream and issues like that may have an effect on it when you get into later moments,” Sirianni stated. “That will likely be a key to the sport on each ends.”