Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders: 6 Storylines That Could Decide NFC Championship

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders: 6 Storylines That Could Decide NFC Championship

The stakes are high and the storylines are many as the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders face off in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Giveaways, Takeaways, Turnover Margin

The turnover margin has been a key factor in the NFL playoffs this season, with teams that have won the turnover battle going 7-0. The Eagles have done a great job of taking care of the football, with zero giveaways in their two playoff wins. The Commanders have also been solid in this area, not turning the ball over in their win over the Detroit Lions last week.

Defense against QB Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels has been a revelation for the Commanders in the playoffs, leading them to scoring drives on 93.8 percent of their possessions. The Eagles’ defense will need to find a way to slow him down and create some negative plays. They’ll also need to win the battle at the line of scrimmage, where Washington is missing injured right guard Sam Cosmi.

Eagles Offense: What is the approach against Washington?

The Commanders have the 30th-ranked run defense in the NFL, so the Eagles will likely try to establish the run early. Washington will likely try to load the box and stop the run, but the Eagles have a variety of playmakers who can create big plays.

Winning hidden yardage and special teams in general

Special teams can often be overlooked, but they can be a major factor in close games. The Eagles have a solid special teams unit, led by kicker Jake Elliott and returner Luke McCaffrey. The Commanders have also been solid in this area, so this could be a key battle.

The first quarter will set a game tone

The atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field will be electric on Sunday, and the Eagles will need to come out with energy and production. The Commanders have been a good offensive team early in games, so the Eagles will need to jump out to an early lead and make Daniels play from behind.

Handling the moment

Every player says that it’s just another game, but the NFC Championship Game is anything but. The Eagles have a lot of players who have been in this situation before, but the Commanders are a young team that could be playing with house money. How will both teams handle the pressure?

Conclusion

The Eagles and Commanders are two evenly matched teams, and the NFC Championship Game is sure to be a close one. The outcome could be decided by any number of factors, including the turnover margin, Daniels’ performance, the Eagles’ offense, special teams, the first quarter, and the ability to handle the moment. Stay tuned for all the action on Sunday afternoon!