Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 22nd 2024
Preview and Prediction
The Philadelphia Eagles have secured their spot in the playoffs and will aim for their 11th consecutive victory as they face off against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. This game brings a welcome postseason atmosphere to a site that is not accustomed to high-stakes football in late December.
With a record of 12-2, the Eagles currently lead the Commanders (9-5) by three games and have the opportunity to clinch the NFC East division title with a win on Sunday. However, their ultimate goal is to secure the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. This became a more realistic possibility after the Detroit Lions (12-2) lost to the Buffalo Bills last week and continue to suffer from injuries.
But for now, the focus remains on winning the division title. When asked if he has addressed this with his team, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni replied, "No, we're pretty boring. We're getting ready to play this game. We know that if we do win this game that will happen, but all we can control and focus on is our preparation."
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The Commanders also have their sights set on the playoffs, which is a realistic goal after finishing with a record of 4-13 in 2024. They have won their last two games, including a 20-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints last Sunday. With a win against the Eagles and a combination of losses from other teams, Washington can secure a wild-card berth. However, a loss would add pressure to their next game against the Atlanta Falcons.
This Sunday's game is a rematch of their Week 11 matchup, where the Eagles were leading 12-10 in the fourth quarter before ultimately winning 26-18. Washington coach Dan Quinn made the controversial decision to go for it on fourth down instead of kicking a field goal, which ultimately resulted in a turnover on downs.
To improve their chances in the second meeting, Washington traded three draft picks to acquire cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who made his Commanders debut last Sunday after recovering from a hamstring injury. Eagles coach Sirianni acknowledges Lattimore's talent and the impact he can have on their defense, saying, "He's a really good player that would allow them to do different things because of how good he's played as a pro. So, we'll have to be ready for him and this is a good defense we're going against."
In their previous two games against the Eagles last season, Washington put up a good fight but ultimately lost by close margins of 34-31 (in overtime) and 38-31. They have also lost their last three home games against the Eagles, making it a priority for Quinn and his team to break that streak on Sunday. "It's a big deal. If you want to be seen as a heavy hitter you got to beat them," Quinn said. "In the NFC East, Philadelphia has been the heavy hitters so far this season in the division. Great challenge for us, we are pumped to get them back here at home with the fans."
In their Week 11 matchup, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ran for the go-ahead score, and running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 146 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Quinn recognizes Barkley's ability to perform well under pressure, saying, "He's at his best in the end of games. We have to make sure the fit and tackling on the fifth run is the same as on the 25th. They're exceptional at staying at it. It takes a lot of discipline and work to do it over and over again."
However, Barkley was held to just 65 yards in their last game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Eagles' defense, which leads the NFL in fewest yards allowed per game (275.6) and is tied for first in fewest points allowed (17.6), will be a tough challenge for the Commanders' banged-up offense led by quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Both teams received some good injury news on Wednesday as Commanders defensive end Jonathan Allen and Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff returned to practice after being out with injuries. However, Washington tight end Zach Ertz and guard Sam Cosmi did not practice due to a concussion and illness, respectively.
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Several Eagles players, including Barkley, were given a rest day in practice, while others such as safety Sydney Brown and wide receiver DeVonta Smith sat out due to injuries.
In 2022, the Commanders had a record of 7-5 in December but ultimately missed out on the playoffs after a tie and three consecutive losses. They
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders Recap OCT 29TH 2023
Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown delivered again and the Philadelphia Eagles denied another upset bid by quarterback Sam Howell and the Washington Commanders in a 38-31 shootout Sunday in Landover, Md.
Howell staked the Commanders to a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter with touchdown passes to Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin, but Hurts owned the second half. Hurts finished with four touchdown passes and 319 yards, including Brown's eight receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Howell, who had two fourth-quarter turnovers, lost the ball on 4th and 5 at the Washington 25 when Haason Reddick recorded a strip-sack off the left edge with 2:13 left in the game. After D'Andre Swift pushed the Philadelphia advantage to 38-24 on a 7-yard score with 1:50 remaining, Howell connected with Jamison Crowder for a 26-yard touchdown, cutting the Eagles' lead to 38-31 with 1:01 to play.
Howell completed 39 of 52 passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns and Dotson had a team-high eight catches for 108 yards. Crowder caught seven passes for 95 yards and tight end Logan Thomas had six receptions for 44 yards.
DeVonta Smith caught seven passes for 99 yards and a TD for the Eagles.
Howell was intercepted in Eagles' territory with 8:02 left in the game and Hurts ended his third consecutive drive with a TD pass to take the lead, 31-24. Hurt split two defenders for an 8-yard TD pass to newly signed wide receiver Julio Jones, who was lined up to the left in the slot.
On third-and-goal with 12:03 left, Howell zipped a 7-yard dart to tight end Logan Thomas on an in-cutting route to beat man coverage and the Commanders climbed back in front 24-17.
The Eagles struck back with a 38-yard TD pass from Hurts to Smith to tie the game at 24. Smith sprinted down the left sideline virtually unchecked for an easy score with just under nine minutes to play.
Hurts lost a fumble at the goal line on the opening drive of the second half, the Eagles' second fumble inside the 5 in the game. But on Philadelphia's next drive, Hurts hung on the pocket to deliver a 17-yard completion to Smith on 4th and 4 at the Washington 45 two plays before a second TD pass to Brown. Brown's 25-yard catch tied the game with 4:17 remaining the third quarter.
Brown pulled down a one-handed grab for a 16-yard TD with 34 seconds left in the first half, leaping and holding off tight coverage from Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste to cut the Eagles' deficit to 14-10. On the ensuring possession, Joey Slye's 61-yard field goal gave the Commanders a 17-10 lead at half.
Brown is the first player in NFL history with at least 125 receiving yards in six consecutive games.
Washington built the 11-point lead behind Howell's two early TDs, then curbed an Eagles' threat by forcing Kenneth Gainwell to fumble on second-and-goal from the 3 with 6:52 on the clock in the first half.
Howell completed 14 of his first 15 passes and set a franchise record with 24 completions (26 attempts) in the first half.