NFC Championship preview, prediction what you need to look for

On By Littum

An insight into the Commanders-Eagles NFC Championship showdown at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Sunday afternoon:

Marquee Matchup

Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels vs. Eagles Security CJ Gardner-Johnson

Jayden Daniels AP

Daniels is trying to add a layer to the best rookie quarterback season ever by becoming the first to reach the Super Bowl.

Most of his throws go to 1,000-yard recipient Terry McLaurin, but Tight-Enden Zach Ertz has reappeared as a first look in the red zone late in his career.

In the way of them stands a ballhawk with six interceptions in each of his last two seasons playing for Eagles (2022 and 2024).

Is it a coincidence that Daniels threw three of his five touchdown passes against Eagles in week 16 after Gardner-Johnson was thrown out early in the third quarter of two personal violations? Johnson said afterwards he has to “grow up for hell.”

“I think he has always known how important he is for the defense. We do,” said Eagles coach Nick Sirianni. “He has been so good at taking away the football and playing with energy. He has an impact on games. ”

CJ Gardner-Johnson Getty pictures

Dunleavy’s decision

An argument can be argued that the Eagles’ list is better in all positions except the most important, where Daniels may already be NFC’s best quarterback.

Saquon Barkley has been unstoppable all season – even more against Commanders (296 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in two games).

He and the four Pro Bowlers on the offensive line could win the match on his own.

Defensive Tackling Jalen Carter took his Pro Bowl season to new heights with two sacks and a forced fumbling in the last match.

Saquon Barkley scores on a 78-yard touchdown race during the Eagles’ win over Rams in the NFC division round. Eric Hartline-IMAGN images

Not a good first time for commanders to be without their best offensive line man, after the right Guard Sam Cosmis ACL injury.

Eagles 31, Commanders 27

Four downs

Hurt so well: Quarterback Jalen Hurts (knee) was full participant in Thursday and Friday’s workouts after he was limited Wednesday. His mobility was obviously limited at the end of last week’s victory.

Hurts said his recovery “progresses” but he “expects” to carry a knee support. If he climbs, the commanders will not accept sympathy.

“We’re going to treat him like a running back,” said defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.. “We’re going to hit him that way. It’s their decision if they want to get him hit the way he being hit. ”

Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has struggled with a knee problem, will be wearing a knee support under the NFC Championship vs. Commanders. AP

Tight-end Dallas Goedert (ankle) is ready to go after not training Thursday. Center Cam Jurgens (at the back) is questionable.

For Commanders, the defensive tackling da’ron payne (knee, finger) is out, but linebacker Bobby Wagner (ankle) will play.

Revenge Games: Brian Johnson was considered a rising star when Eagles managed the Super Bowl two years ago.

He was Quarterback’s coach responsible for Hurts’ rapid development for NFL MVP Runner-Up and offensive coordinator in store as soon as Shane Steichen left to be Colt’s head coach.

Commander who passes game coordinator Brian Johnson, who was fired by Eagles last season when he was their offensive coordinator shares a hug with Jalen Hurts. Under Philadelphia’s 26-18 victory over Washington on November 14, 2024. Getty pictures

Well, Johnson’s one season, which called acting, was a disappointment. He was fired last January.

A year later, Johnson passes gaming coordinator for commanders under the offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury under Jayden Daniels’ Rookie record debut.

“Just being able to share some things he used with Jalen there in Philly – some things that worked, some things he wish he would have done differently – with Jayden has been huge,” Kingsbury said. “Because it is obviously instant credibility of success they had there. He has been a blessing to us.”

Third-and-8: With a win, Commanders will be just the third No. 6 seeded to reach the playoffs and the third team to beat his conference’s top three seen (No. 3 Buccaneers, No. 1 Lions and No. 2 Eagles) on the way to the Super Bowl.

Dan Quinn, who previously took Falcons 2016 to the Super Bowl, would join Bill 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) as the eighth head trainer to lead more franchises to the Super Bowl.

Parcells, Shula and Vermeil are Hall of Famers, Holmgren is a current finalist, Reeves is delayed for selection and Reid is a future lock.

Fourth and brave: Commanders led the NFL in the regular season by converting nearly 87 percent of the fourth downturn (20-to-23).

Their 66.7 percent hit rate in the playoffs (6-to-9) against good defense is even more impressive.

Quinn surrounded four Field Goals in the victory against Buccaneers and turned 12 points into 14 when 2-to-4 on the fourth Downs led to two touchdowns.

Commanders’ three conversions to Lions – one of the NFL’s most aggressive fourth -down team – all led to touchdowns.

Eagles converted 73 percent (19-to-26) in the regular season based on one of the most unstoppable games in the NFL: “Turh Push”. Nine out of 10 fourth-and-1 races moved the chains.

One of coach Nick Sirianni’s four-year characteristics goes to the fourth downs of Eagles’ territory.

“I think the flow of the game and that kind of will have an impact on it when you come into later moments,” Sirianni said. “It will be a key to the game at both ends.”