PLAY PREVIEW: Commanders vs. Eagles | 26 January 2025

Welcome to the NFC Championship Game and a third meeting of the season against the Washington Chiefs. These are teams that know each other so well, have the ultimate respect for each other and understand the stakes. The story lines? More than we can list. Matchups? Every single one of them matters. Let’s dive into the game (3 p.m., Fox) and preview what we’ll see when the Eagles host Washington at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday…

1. Giveaways, takeaways, revenue margin

You’re probably sick of hearing this, but it matters: the teams that have won by the turnover margin in the NFL playoffs this fall are 7-0. Philadelphia has taken the football away six times in wins over Green Bay and Los Angeles with zero turnovers. It’s huge. The Eagles are 22-1 in their last 23 games when they have won the turnover game, with the Week 16 loss to Washington the exception. Washington also hasn’t turned the football over and in the win over Detroit last week, the Chiefs had 5 takeaways to fuel the upset victory. Washington had a plus-1 in turnover margin in the Wild Card win at Tampa Bay. So yes, a reminder: This stat may mean more than any in the game.

2. Defense against QB Jayden Daniels

Excluding kneedowns, Jayden Daniels has led Washington on 11 scoring drives in the offense’s 16 playoff possessions. The Commanders have only punted once and have not given the football away. They’ve turned the football over on downs three times and have an unanswered field goal, and all of those possessions ended inside the opponents’ 30-yard line, so here’s the bottom line: Daniels has driven Washington into scoring position 93.8 percent of the time in these playoffs. Amazing. What are the Eagles doing to slow him down? They have to plan to play all four downs, that’s for sure. Washington converted 3 of 4 times in Detroit on fourth down to keep drives going, and they’ll do it again here. Daniels hurt the Eagles with his mobility in the Week 16 loss, so defenses are well aware of the danger there. Philadelphia needs to create some negative plays, must win on the line with passing with Washington right guard Sam Cosmi injured and out for this game. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams and Moro Ojomo need to win here, collapse the pocket and pinch Daniels – don’t give him running lanes and don’t let him get to the edges.

Winning in the secondary is obviously huge against receivers Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus and Jamison Crowder. Tight end Zach Ertz has been a very strong part of the offense. Running Back Austin Ekeler is a factor both as a runner and pass catcher, and Brian Robinson Jr. is a quality player.