Philadelphia Eagles (2) – Washington Commanders (6): 55-23
This is a demonstration. The Eagles showcased all their talent to secure another trip to the Super Bowl. Philadelphia crushed division rivals who were still too tender on the ground (232 yards, 7 touchdowns). Saquon Barkley (15 races, 118 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Jalen Hurts (20/28, 246 yards, 1 passing touchdown, 3 rushing touchdowns) are the great offensive architects of Kellen Moore's (OC) perfect plan.
Opposite Jayden Daniels held the shock for his first conference final (29/48, 255 yards, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception, 1 rushing touchdown). But too alone, he was unable to do anything against a defense hungry for the ball (4 forced turnovers), led by a sparkling Zack Baun (8 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 covered fumble).
Philadelphia never doubted and became the rightful champion of the NFC.
The key moment: The fumble caused by Oren Burks
Three fumbles were sought by the Eagles defense. If the three have their relative importance. The most decisive is undoubtedly that of Oren Burks. In the 4e quarter-time while the score is still “only” 34-23, Washington makes a crucial stop and can hope to get within 3 points of their opponents.
But on a harmless pass to Austin Ekeler (RB), the green linebacker, Oren Burks, emerges from the night and shatters the ball. His friend Zack Baun, in all the good moves this evening, lies on top of him like a bird of prey on its prey. This ball turns into 7 easy points for the attack, and an 18-point gap which, with 13 minutes remaining in the match, will be impossible to overcome.
The MVP: Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts delivered a perfect score. If he is the recipient of this honorary title it is above all for his ability to recite his offensive coordinator's game plan, without a hitch. Because Kellen Moore also called the perfect match, with Hurts as his strong arm.
If Philadelphia notably crushed Washington on the ground, the franchise was also able to vary perfectly with Jalen Hurts applied to the pass (20/28, 246 yards, 1 touchdown) something that we saw sporadically during the season.
It's simple, according to advanced statistics, Jalen Hurts performed among the top 6% of all time in terms of EPA/pass.
The flop: Marshon Lattimore
Arriving during the season, cornerback Marshon Lattimore was supposed to be the missing piece in the Commanders' defense. Far from that, he was rather a fragile piece in the big defeat of his team.
Aligned mainly against AJ Brown, the veteran spent an eventful evening, bordering on nightmarish. The receiver's physical style did not work for him and Marshon ultimately thought more about fighting than defending passes…
The stat: 4
Like the number of turnovers forced by the Eagles defense. While Washington was unable to recover the ball even once.
Philadelphia got three fumbles (Zack Baun, Reed Blankenship and Oren Burks) and an interception (Quinyon Mitchell) that were key factors in taking the score and killing the game.
Film of the match:
The match begins under the best hospices. Dan Quinn (HC) presses with an aggressive game plan and converts 4se crucial attempts in midfield. After half the time consumed in the first quarter, the Commanders opened the scoring (0-3). It only takes one action, a 60-yard run from the inevitable Saquon Barkley to turn the tide (7-3).
The pace does not weaken, on the following series, Zack Baun (LB) immediately forces the fumble. Philadelphia once again finds itself in a scoring situation. Saquon Barkley did not hesitate to double the lead (14-3). Washington ends this fiery first quarter with yet another conversion out of 4e attempt on a pass from… his rookie punter Tress Way in his own camp.
The Commanders stall in the last twenty meters. However, Zane Gonzalez's boot does not tremble (14-6). The defense of the garnets also invites itself to the party. She signs her first sack on Jalen Hurts by Frankie Luvu (LB). And Philadelphia fails to widen the gap by missing a kick. Then Terry McLaurin (WR) puts his foot on the accelerator to convert a short reception into a touchdown in stride (14-12).
Just before half-time, AJ Brown comes out of his box, he plays Marshon Lattimore on a fourth risky attempt then makes his opposite number unpin who makes a series of mistakes. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts and his teammates use the “power of friendship” (brotherly shove) to push the quarterback into the goal (20-12). Washington ends the period by shooting itself one last time in the foot. Exactly on the return kick, Philadelphia forces the loss of the ball. AJ Brown finishes the job with another touchdown for the Eagles (27-12). At the half-time whistle Washington manages to score three small points that count (27-15).
You have to wait until the first series of the second half to see the first punt of the game! He was signed by the Eagles and was quickly followed by that of the Commanders. Philadelphia doesn't let the train pass twice. Dallas Goedert (TE) advances his team and Jalen Hurts finishes for the second time on the ground with a swaying race (34-15). In the process, Washington produced a series identical to that of the Eagles with Zach Ertz and Jayden Daniels. (34-23).
And everything collapses one last time. While the defense under the aegis of Frankie Luvu forced another stop, the Commanders' offense gave the ball to the Eagles a third time on a fumble. Oren Burks (LB) explodes the ball, Zack Baun covers it. And for the third time in the game Jalen Hurts runs into the goal behind his line (41-23). Washington is unable to stop the tush push, game that has become a signature of the Eagles.
The franchise of the American capital drinks the chalice to the dregs. Dan Quinn puts everything on the shoulders of his young quarterback, sacked for the 10th time in the game on a 4e and 12 crucial. Philadelphia definitively confirms the victory with the third rushing touchdown from the insatiable Saquon Barkley (48-23).
Jayden Daniels, until then the only non-offender in his attack, joins the party and throws a dangerous pass towards Quinyon Mitchell (CB). The candidate for defensive rookie of the year intercepts the ball, a first in his NFL career. Anecdotally, Will Shipley (RB), participates in the festival with two races, one of 60 yards and the other in force to add 7 additional points (55-23). End of a dynamic match.
And now ?
Philadelphia is going to defend the NFC standard for Super Bowl 59. The Eagles have weapons in all sectors and on all sides of the field. They will undoubtedly be a worthy opponent for any competitor (Chiefs or Bills). It's the 5the Super Bowl which will be played by the franchise which will try to win it for the second time.
On the Commanders side, even after such a decline, the season is a real success. Reaching a conference final with a new head coach and a new rookie quarterback is not an easy thing to accomplish. No one expected such a season, a journey which commands respect and which heralds happy days for the franchise.
