Kick-off on the night of Thursday to Friday at 2:15 a.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) – Washington Commanders (7-3)
Before the season started, this match might have seemed lopsided and uninteresting. Then Jayden Daniels arrived in the NFL. Since then, the Washington Commanders have continued to surprise. With a record of 7-3, they are now very well placed for the NFC East title before facing… The Eagles. Neither more nor less than their biggest rival. From a match that promised to be boring, we will finally be entitled to one of the posters of the week.
In full swing, the Eagles have just regained first place thanks to their five victories in a row. For their part and after a great series of three consecutive successes, the Commanders fell to the wire against the Steelers. At the same time, they are leaving the reins to the Philadelphians… To better take them back this Thursday evening?
Forgotten hesitations, the Eagles took flight
While he has just arrived in Philly, running back Saquon Barkley is already the engine of his attack. Such production even propelled him into the conversation for the title of offensive player of the year. The Eagles' current good form, however, is not only his fault, and the runner is just one of the many top weapons in the Philadelphia attack… AJ Brown, DaVonta Smith and even Dallas Goedert, these are the options available to Jalen Hurts. It took a while, but this offense is now in great shape, averaging 31.75 points per game over the last four games.
And since good news never comes alone, Philadelphia also has a defense that continues to improve. On the street at the start of the season, the squad has only allowed 12.25 points per game during the last four games. Effects which are also felt in the long term, since the Pennsylvania defense is now in 2nd place in the league in terms of yards conceded (274 per game) with a very consistent record: 3rd against the pass (173 yards conceded per game), 5th against the run (100 yards per game).
The Commanders want to prove that they can be counted on
Washington is probably the best story of the year. After the departure of their former owner, they placed their destiny in the hands of rookie Jayden Daniels. And great good came to them. Led by the quarterback, the Commanders are 7-3 and already exceeding many pre-season projections. Better yet, the attack is a real dynamite that blows opposing defenses to pieces. Fourth in terms of yards gained (377 per game) and third in points scored, it is only beaten by the terrifying Lions and Ravens.
Their defense is also playing above its level. Thanks to excellent coaching first, and then to the arrival of veterans. An observation to be qualified, because if the squad is very solid against the pass (182 yards conceded per game, 5th in the league), it presents real difficulties against the running game: 27th in terms of EPA against the opposing rush, 27th worst total yards conceded per game (142.7 yards). The recent arrival of cornerback Marshon Lattimore will strengthen the first sector, but questions remain in the second.
Players to watch: Saquon Barkley & Jayden Daniels
Faced with such feverish opposition against the race, this duel looks like a godsend for Saquon Barkley (HB). In the form of his life, the running back has already accumulated 991 rushing yards (second in the NFL) and six touchdowns since his arrival. His 5.8 yards per attempt also ranks fourth in the NFL in that area. With Barkley on this path, Philadelphia will be in a good position to win the game.
If the Commanders want to regain the lead in the NFC East, they need Jayden Daniels (QB) to rise to the occasion. He didn't have his best game against the Steelers last week, completing just 50 percent of his passes for 5.9 yards per throw, but he's still been impressive since arriving in the league. The quarterback threw for 2,147 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions, all while completing 69% of his passes. A true dual-threat, he also added 464 yards on the ground (first among the Commanders), while scoring four touchdowns. An X factor that could swing the match to his side.
The prediction: Philadelphia Eagles
The Commanders have just had the difficult experience of playing against a playoff team, and they will face the Eagles who succeed in everything this Thursday. Washington has also had a difficult time with the big teams, losing so far against the Ravens and the Steelers. The capital's players benefited from an easy first half of the calendar, and it is not crazy to expect a drop in their record in this second part of the season. Starting this Thursday evening.
