The Washington Commanders’ remarkable season came to an end on Sunday with a crushing 55-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. Despite a season of progress under first-year head coach Dan Quinn, costly mistakes and self-inflicted wounds left Washington just one game short of the Super Bowl.
Key Moments and Turning Points
1. Turnovers Prove Costly
The Commanders’ hopes unraveled with four turnovers—three fumbles and one late interception—while their defense failed to generate a single takeaway. The Eagles capitalized on these mistakes, gaining a 23.6% win probability from the turnovers, according to Next Gen Stats.
- First Fumble: Dyami Brown lost the ball while fighting for extra yards, setting up a Saquon Barkley touchdown that extended Philadelphia’s lead to 14-3.
- Second Fumble: Jeremy McNichols fumbled the kickoff just before halftime, leading to a Jalen Hurts rushing touchdown.
- Third Fumble: Austin Ekeler fumbled in the third quarter after being hit by linebacker Oren Burks, further stalling Washington’s comeback efforts.
- Interception: Jayden Daniels threw a late-game interception in the end zone during desperation mode.
“Turnovers play a huge factor in a game, especially against a team like Philly,” said Daniels.
2. Penalties Add to the Struggles
The Commanders were flagged nine times for 47 yards, with two critical personal fouls before halftime contributing to a 13-point Eagles scoring surge in just 65 seconds.
- Marshon Lattimore’s Unsportsmanlike Conduct: After Jalen Hurts’ first rushing touchdown, a heated exchange between Lattimore and Eagles wideout A.J. Brown led to a penalty and gave Philadelphia an extra opportunity for a two-point conversion (unsuccessful).
- Mike Sainristil’s Late Hit: The rookie cornerback’s unnecessary roughness penalty extended an Eagles drive and led to another Hurts rushing touchdown.
“Special games like this, we just got to be poised,” said linebacker Frankie Luvu. “We kind of shot ourselves in the foot.”
3. Eagles’ Dominance in Execution
The Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts and an opportunistic defense, showcased why they are the NFC’s top seed. Hurts accounted for three rushing touchdowns, while Saquon Barkley added two scores on the ground. Philadelphia’s defense, coordinated by Vic Fangio, thrived on forcing turnovers and disrupting Washington’s rhythm.
“They caused them,” Quinn said of the turnovers. “It wasn’t like a fumbled snap. It was something they did.”
Commanders’ Perspective: What Went Wrong
Missed Opportunities in Complementary Football
Washington’s seven-game winning streak heading into the NFC Championship was built on complementary football—offense and defense working in sync. That cohesion was missing against the Eagles.
- The offense struggled to “fire on all cylinders,” said right tackle Andrew Wylie, with turnovers halting momentum.
- The defense failed to force any takeaways and couldn’t get off the field on third and fourth downs.
Jonathan Allen summarized the team’s shortcomings: “Turnovers, not getting off the field, penalties—it all affects the game.”
McLaurin’s Optimism
Despite the defeat, wide receiver Terry McLaurin remained hopeful for the team’s future. “We’ll be back,” he said. “Most definitely.”
McLaurin acknowledged the Eagles’ superior play but emphasized the need to clean up mistakes and protect the football in critical games.
Philadelphia’s Path to Victory
The Eagles’ win highlighted their ability to capitalize on Washington’s errors:
- Turnover Differential: Philadelphia was +4 in the turnover margin.
- Halftime Surge: The Eagles extended their lead from 14-12 to 27-12 in just over a minute before halftime, taking full advantage of Washington’s mistakes.
- Balanced Attack: Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley combined for five touchdowns, while the defense, led by Zack Baun and Oren Burks, consistently disrupted Washington’s offense.
While the loss was disappointing, the Commanders’ season showed significant progress under Dan Quinn. The team went from years of dysfunction to the brink of the Super Bowl, establishing a foundation to build on.
Still, Sunday’s game was a stark reminder of the work that remains. To compete at the highest level, Washington must reduce turnovers, avoid costly penalties, and execute better in key moments.
For now, the Eagles will advance to the Super Bowl, while Washington looks ahead to the offseason with hopes of taking the next step.
