Commanders vs. Eagles: NFC Championship preview, prediction, what to watch for
An inside look at the Commanders-Eagles NFC Championship showdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday afternoon: Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels vs.Eagles safety C.J.
Gardner-JohnsonDaniels is trying to add a layer to the best rookie quarterback season of all time by becoming the first to reach the Super Bowl.Most of his throws go to 1,000-yard receiver Terry McLaurin, but tight end Zach Ertz has re-emerged as a first look in the red zone late in his career.Standing in their way is a ballhawk with six interceptions in each of his past two seasons playing for the Eagles (2022 and 2024).Is it a coincidence that Daniels threw three of his five touchdown passes against the Eagles in Week 16 after Gardner-Johnson was ejected early in the third quarter for two personal-foul penalties? Johnson said afterward that he has to “grow the hell up.”“I think he’s always known how important he is to the defense.
We sure do,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said.“He’s been just so good at taking the football away and playing with energy.
He has an impact on games.”An argument can be made the Eagles’ roster is better at every position except the most important one, where Daniels might already be the NFC’s best quarterback.Saquon Barkley has been unstoppable all season — even more so against the 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 game on their own.Defensive tackle Jalen Carter took his Pro Bowl season to new heights with two sacks and a forced fumble last game.
Not a good first time for the Commanders to be without their best offensive lineman, after right guard Sam Cosmi’s ACL injury.Eagles 31, Commanders 27Hurts so good: Quarterback Jalen Hurts (knee) was a full participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practices after he was limited Wednesday.His mobility clearly was limited at the end of last week’s win.
Hurts said his recovery is “progressing”...