If you were watching the Eagles vs Commanders game on December 22, 2024, you saw something that shouldn't have happened. Usually, when a team loses its franchise quarterback in the first seven minutes, things go south. Fast. But that Sunday at Northwest Stadium was basically a fever dream for Philly fans and a coming-out party for Jayden Daniels.
Jalen Hurts went down with a concussion early. The air just sucked right out of the building. Or it would have, if Saquon Barkley hadn't decided to turn into a human highlight reel for the first fifteen minutes. He had 109 yards and two scores in the first quarter alone. Honestly, it looked like a blowout. Philly was up 14-0 before Washington even figured out which way the wind was blowing.
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But then, the rookie happened.
Why the Eagles vs Commanders Game Flipped the NFC East Script
Most people think the Eagles dominate this rivalry because of the "Brotherly Shove" or their massive roster. And usually, they do. Entering that December matchup, Philly was on a 10-game winning streak. They were untouchable. Then Jayden Daniels threw five touchdown passes. Five.
You've gotta realize how rare that is for a rookie against the league's top-ranked defense. The Commanders committed five turnovers in that game. Five! Normally, if you turn the ball over that many times, you lose by thirty. Instead, Daniels kept swinging. He found Jamison Crowder for a 9-yard touchdown with only six seconds left on the clock.
Final score: 36-33, Washington.
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It wasn't just a win; it was a statement that the NFC East isn't a one-team race anymore. While the 2025 season saw the Eagles reclaim the division throne with an 11-6 record, that specific late-2024 collapse showed a blueprint on how to rattle them.
The Jalen Hurts vs Jayden Daniels Factor
There is a lot of talk about who you'd rather build a team around. Jalen Hurts has the Super Bowl appearance and the "win now" pedigree. But Daniels? He's got that "it" factor that makes people nervous. In their Week 16 clash, Daniels was the leading rusher for Washington with 81 yards. He was out-running linebackers and out-throwing Pro Bowl corners.
- Jayden Daniels (Week 16): 24/39, 258 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs.
- Kenny Pickett (Relieving Hurts): 14/24, 143 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
- Saquon Barkley (The Workhorse): 29 carries, 150 yards, 2 TDs.
Barkley is the engine. When the Eagles vs Commanders game starts, everyone watches the QBs, but Saquon is the one who keeps Philly's playoff hopes alive. He crossed the 2,000-yard mark in 2024 for a reason. But even a 2,000-yard rusher couldn't stop the bleeding once the defense started giving up 49-yard bombs to Olamide Zaccheaus.
The 2024 NFC Championship Rematch
Fast forward to January 26, 2025. The stakes couldn't have been higher. It was the NFC Championship Game. This time, there was no Kenny Pickett coming off the bench. Jalen Hurts was healthy, and he was angry.
The Commanders actually led 3-0 early. It felt like a repeat of the December upset. Then Saquon Barkley took a handoff and went 60 yards to the house in 18 seconds. That’s the thing about the Eagles; they can score faster than you can check your fantasy scores.
Philly ended up winning that one 55-23. It was a massacre. Hurts ran for three touchdowns. Barkley ran for three. Will Shipley even got in on the action with a late score. Washington’s Cinderella run hit a brick wall made of green jerseys.
What the History Books Actually Say
People forget that this rivalry is one of the oldest in the sport. It started in 1934. Back then, Washington was still the Boston Redskins.
The all-time series is incredibly tight. As of early 2026, the Commanders actually hold a slight lead in the regular-season series, 90-87-6. It’s one of those matchups where you can throw the records out the window. Whether it’s the "Body Bag Game" of 1990 or the Monday Night Massacre in 2010, these teams genuinely seem to dislike each other.
- The 1990 Wild Card: Washington won 20-6, a revenge game after Philly literally sent half their roster to the hospital weeks earlier.
- The 2010 Blowout: Michael Vick put up 59 points in three quarters.
- The 2024 Shift: Jayden Daniels proving the "rookie wall" is a myth.
Real Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're betting on or just watching the next Eagles vs Commanders game, look at the turnover margin. Washington beat Philly in December 2024 despite having five turnovers. That is a statistical anomaly that will likely never happen again.
The real battle is the Eagles' defensive front against Daniels' mobility. In their November 2024 meeting (which Philly won 26-18), they sacked Daniels three times and held Terry McLaurin to just one catch for 10 yards. Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles' rookie corner at the time, basically lived in McLaurin's pocket.
If Mitchell can take away the deep threat, Washington becomes one-dimensional. But if Daniels can escape the pocket and force the linebackers to commit, he opens up those intermediate routes for Zach Ertz (who, let's be real, loves playing against his old team) and Olamide Zaccheaus.
Practical Steps for Fans and Analysts
To truly understand where this rivalry is going, stop looking at the national highlights. Watch the line of scrimmage.
- Track the "Sack Exchange": If Brandon Graham and Jalen Carter are getting pressure with just four rushers, Washington is doomed.
- Monitor Saquon's Touches: If he gets more than 25 touches, the Eagles win about 90% of the time. It’s a simple formula.
- Watch the Red Zone Efficiency: Washington struggled in the 2025 season because they settled for field goals. Zane Gonzalez is a good kicker, but you don't beat Philly with 3-pointers.
The Eagles vs Commanders game has evolved from a lopsided divisional scrap into a legitimate heavyweight fight. With the 2026 season approaching, the gap between these two has narrowed. Philly has the rings and the roster depth, but Washington finally has the quarterback.
Check the injury reports specifically for the secondary. In both 2024 and 2025, the winner was usually the team that didn't have a backup safety trying to cover A.J. Brown or Terry McLaurin one-on-one.
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Keep an eye on the defensive snap counts for the Eagles' aging vets. Fatigue played a huge role in that 22-point fourth-quarter explosion by Washington in December. If Philly can't rotate their defensive line effectively, Daniels will carve them up in the final two minutes every single time.
Stay focused on the trench battle. It’s not as sexy as a 50-yard bomb, but it's where the NFC East is actually won.