The Eagles came into the game as the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a 14-3 record, while the Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles Match Player Stats, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, defied expectations with a 12-5 record as the No. 6 seed. The stakes were high, with a trip to Super Bowl LIX on the line. Philadelphia’s balanced attack, led by Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, overwhelmed Washington’s defense, while the Commanders’ four turnovers proved costly. The final score of 55-23 marked the most points ever scored in an NFC Championship game since the 1970 merger, highlighting the Eagles’ dominance.
Let’s dive into the Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles Match Player Stats that defined this matchup, starting with the stars who lit up the field.
Philadelphia Eagles: Key Player Stats
Jalen Hurts (Quarterback) – A Dual-Threat Masterclass
Jalen Hurts was the heart of the Eagles’ offense, showcasing why he’s one of the NFL’s top dual-threat quarterbacks. Despite wearing a knee brace due to a recent injury, Hurts delivered a stellar performance:
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Passing: 20 of 28 completions (71.4%) for 246 yards, 1 passing touchdown, 0 interceptions.
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Rushing: 10 carries for 16 yards, 3 rushing touchdowns.
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Notable Plays: Hurts connected with A.J. Brown for a 4-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and sealed the game with a “tush push” touchdown in the fourth. His fourth-and-5 deep shot to Brown in the first half was a game-changer, keeping a critical drive alive.
Hurts’ ability to make precise throws and power through for short-yardage scores, especially in the red zone, was pivotal. His three rushing touchdowns tied him with Saquon Barkley for the game’s scoring lead, and his zero turnovers kept the Eagles’ offense humming.
Saquon Barkley (Running Back) – A Record-Setting Rushing Display
Saquon Barkley, in his first season with the Eagles after leaving the Giants, proved why he’s a contender for MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. His explosive runs set the tone early:
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Rushing: 15 carries for 118 yards (7.9 yards per carry), 3 touchdowns.
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Receiving: 1 catch for 4 yards.
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Notable Plays: Barkley opened the game with a 60-yard touchdown run on the Eagles’ first play, electrifying the crowd. He added a 4-yard touchdown later in the first quarter and another 4-yard score in the fourth. His 112 yards on outside runs showcased his speed and vision.
Barkley’s 118 yards and three touchdowns generated +72 rushing yards over expected (RYOE), the most by any running back in a single playoff run since 2018. His ability to break tackles and exploit gaps opened up the passing game, making the Eagles’ offense nearly unstoppable.
A.J. Brown (Wide Receiver) – Big Plays When It Mattered
A.J. Brown was Hurts’ go-to target, delivering clutch catches that kept drives alive:
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Receiving: 6 catches for 96 yards, 1 touchdown.
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Notable Plays: Brown’s 4-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter capped a quick drive after a Commanders’ fumble. His 31-yard reception on fourth-and-5 in the first half was a momentum-shifter.
Brown’s physicality and reliable hands made him a nightmare for Washington’s secondary, especially on critical downs.
Defensive Standouts: Zack Baun, Nolan Smith Jr., and Reed Blankenship
The Eagles’ defense forced four turnovers, turning each into touchdowns. Key contributors included:
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Zack Baun (Linebacker): 10 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery. Baun’s relentless pursuit disrupted Washington’s rhythm, and his fumble recovery off Austin Ekeler’s miscue led to a quick score.
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Nolan Smith Jr. (Defensive End): 1 sack, which halted a Commanders’ fourth-down attempt in the fourth quarter, effectively ending their comeback hopes.
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Reed Blankenship (Safety): 7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery. Blankenship’s recovery of Dyami Brown’s fumble in the first quarter set up Barkley’s second touchdown.
The Eagles’ defense sacked Daniels three times and limited Washington’s big plays, despite allowing 350 total yards. Their ability to capitalize on turnovers was the difference-maker.
Will Shipley (Running Back) – A Surprise Contributor
Rookie Will Shipley provided a spark late in the game, giving Barkley a breather:
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Rushing: 4 carries for 77 yards, 1 touchdown (including a 57-yard run).
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Notable Plays: Shipley’s 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter padded the Eagles’ lead to 55-23.
Shipley’s performance showed the depth of Philadelphia’s backfield, a promising sign for their Super Bowl run.
Washington Commanders: Key Player Stats
Jayden Daniels (Quarterback) – A Rookie Phenom Shines
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, kept the Commanders competitive despite the blowout. His stats reflect his resilience:
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Passing: 29 of 48 completions (60.4%) for 255 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.
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Rushing: 6 carries for 48 yards, 1 touchdown.
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Notable Plays: Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin for a 36-yard touchdown in the second quarter, cutting the Eagles’ lead to 14-12. His 10-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, complete with a spectacular juke, briefly reignited Washington’s hopes. A 19-yard scramble in the second quarter was the longest postseason rush by a quarterback in franchise history.
Daniels threw for 822 yards this postseason, the most by a rookie in NFL history and a franchise record. Despite the loss, his poise against the NFL’s top defense and ability to extend plays with his legs proved he’s Washington’s franchise cornerstone.
Terry McLaurin (Wide Receiver) – A Reliable Target
Terry McLaurin was Daniels’ primary weapon in the passing game:
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Receiving: 1 catch for 36 yards, 1 touchdown.
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Notable Plays: McLaurin’s 36-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter showcased his ability to get open against tight coverage.
Though limited to one catch, McLaurin’s score kept Washington in striking distance early.
Zach Ertz (Tight End) – A Veteran Presence
Veteran tight end Zach Ertz, facing his former team, was a consistent target for Daniels:
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Receiving: 11 catches for 105 yards on 15 targets.
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Notable Plays: Ertz’s 7-yard catch on fourth-and-6 in the fourth quarter kept a drive alive, though it didn’t lead to points.
Ertz’s reliability over the middle gave Daniels a safety valve against Philadelphia’s aggressive defense.
Zane Gonzalez (Kicker) – Perfect on Field Goals
Kicker Zane Gonzalez was a bright spot for Washington, providing their only non-touchdown points:
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Field Goals: 3 for 3 (34, 46, and 42 yards).
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Extra Points: 2 for 2.
Gonzalez’s 18-play, 34-yard field goal drive to open the game showed Washington’s early discipline, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace.
Turnovers: The Commanders’ Achilles’ Heel
Washington’s four turnovers were devastating, with each leading to an Eagles touchdown:
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Dyami Brown (Wide Receiver): Fumbled in the first quarter, recovered by Reed Blankenship.
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Jeremy McNichols (Running Back): Fumbled a kickoff return late in the first half, leading to a 24-yard Eagles touchdown drive.
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Austin Ekeler (Running Back): Fumbled in the third quarter, recovered by Zack Baun, resulting in a quick Hurts touchdown.
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Jayden Daniels: Threw an interception in the fourth quarter, though it came in garbage time and was due to a deflected pass.
These miscues gave Philadelphia short fields and swung momentum decisively in their favor.
Team Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles Match Player Comparison
Here’s how the teams stacked up overall:
Stat |
Commanders |
Eagles |
---|---|---|
Total Yards |
350 | 459 |
Passing Yards |
251 | 230 |
Rushing Yards |
99 | 229 |
Yards per Play |
4.5 | 7.0 |
Turnovers |
4 | 0 |
Time of Possession |
29:29 | 30:31 |
First Downs |
22 | 28 |
Third-Down Conv. |
7/13 (53.8%) | 5/9 (55.6%) |
Fourth-Down Conv. |
4/6 (66.7%) | 2/3 (66.7%) |
The Eagles’ efficiency (7.0 yards per play) and zero turnovers highlighted their dominance, while Washington’s four turnovers and inability to stop the run sealed their fate.
Game-Changing Moments
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Barkley’s 60-Yard Touchdown Run: On the Eagles’ first play, Barkley’s electrifying run gave Philadelphia a 7-3 lead and set the tone for their offensive onslaught.
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Commanders’ Turnovers: Washington’s three fumbles and one interception led to 28 Eagles points, turning a competitive game into a rout.
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Hurts’ Fourth-and-5 Completion to Brown: This 31-yard pass in the first half kept a drive alive, leading to a touchdown that pushed the Eagles’ lead to 14-3.
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Daniels’ Rushing Touchdown: His 10-yard scamper in the third quarter cut the deficit to 34-23, but the Commanders couldn’t capitalize further.
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Nolan Smith’s Fourth-Down Sack: Smith’s sack on Daniels in the fourth quarter ended Washington’s final threat, allowing Philadelphia to pull away.
What This Means for Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles Match Player Stats : Super Bowl Bound
The Eagles’ 55-23 win showcased their championship pedigree. With a balanced offense led by Hurts and Barkley, a stingy defense, and no turnovers, they’re a formidable force heading into Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025. They’ll face either the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills, and their ability to dominate both lines of scrimmage makes them a serious contender for their second Lombardi Trophy.
Washington Commanders: A Bright Future
Despite the loss, the Commanders exceeded expectations in 2024. Jayden Daniels proved he’s a franchise quarterback, breaking rookie postseason passing records and showing poise under pressure. Washington’s four turnovers exposed areas for improvement, but with a young core and cap space, they’re poised to build around Daniels and contend in 2025.
Why This Game Matters for NFL Fans
The Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles Match Player Stats rivalry is one of the NFL’s fiercest, and this game added another chapter. For Eagles fans, it’s a celebration of a team firing on all cylinders. For Commanders fans, it’s a reminder of how far their team has come and the potential for future success. The player stats tell a story of dominance, resilience, and critical mistakes, making this NFC Championship a must-analyze for football enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
The Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles NFC Championship game was a masterclass in execution by the Eagles and a learning moment for the Commanders. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley stole the show, while Jayden Daniels showed flashes of brilliance despite costly turnovers. Whether you’re breaking down the stats for fantasy football, reliving the highlights, or looking ahead to the Super Bowl, this game had it all. Stay tuned for more NFL action, and let us know your thoughts on this epic clash in the comments!