Eagles (9‑5) face Commanders (4‑10) in a pivotal NFC East clash.
Game Overview
The Philadelphia Eagles (9‑5) are heading to Washington to face the Washington Commanders (4‑10) in an NFC East battle at Northwest Stadium.
Inside Predictions
Reuben Frank
Reuben Frank, writing for the local sports section, notes that the Commanders “aren’t very good. Not quite Raiders bad but pretty bad.” He recalls past upsets: the Eagles were three‑point favorites over Washington late in 2015 and lost by 14 at the Linc, and a day later Chip Kelly was fired. On opening day 2020 the Eagles were 5½‑point favorites at FedEx and lost by 10 after leading by 17 in the second quarter. The Eagles were 8‑0 in 2022 and lost by 11 at home to the Commanders as a 10½‑point favorite. “Just last year they were four‑point favorites and had won 10 straight and led by 13 points before losing on three Jayden Daniels TD passes in the fourth quarter.” Frank concludes that “I do expect the Eagles to win, although I also expect the Commanders to put up a fight and make things difficult for three quarters. In the end, they’ll lock up a second straight win, a 10‑win season and a second straight NFC East title.”
Dave Zangaro
Dave Zangaro emphasizes the importance of a win for the Eagles: “It’s important the Eagles win this weekend for a few different reasons.” He points to the possibility that the Cowboys could lose to the Chargers, and notes that if that doesn’t happen, the Eagles have the Bills in Week 17, making a Week 18 showdown undesirable. Zangaro says the Eagles “should win this game” and adds, “I think the Eagles win this one and become the first team in over two decades to win the NFC East in back‑to‑back seasons.”
Mike Mulhern
Mike Mulhern remarks that “The NFL gambled and lost by putting both Eagles‑Commanders games this late in the season.” He recalls the last week’s blowout win against the Raiders, describing it as “historically dominant” for the defense and “efficient as ever” for the offense. Mulhern adds, “Even if the Commanders are a better bunch than what Pete Carrol brought to town last week, Saturday should be no different. Jalen Hurts looks dialed in. The defense is hitting on all cylinders.” He predicts a victory for the Eagles, stating, “I think the Eagles win this one.”
Ashlyn Sullivan
Ashlyn Sullivan writes, “I keep going back to the word ‘encouraged’ after the Eagles handled business and beat a bad Raiders team last week.” She says, “I see nothing in this matchup that the Eagles cannot handle.” Sullivan notes that the defensive line will need to contain Marcus Mariota and his scrambling ability, but overall she believes the Eagles are ready: “Nick Sirianni has spoken at great length getting his team to play their best football by the end of the season and the Eagles just might be getting there, that will continue with a win over the Commanders this weekend.”
Past Performance and Stakes
The Eagles’ record of 9‑5 positions them as the division’s favorite, while the Commanders’ 4‑10 record reflects a struggling season. A win for Philadelphia would secure the NFC East title and a 10‑win season, solidifying their status as a division powerhouse. For Washington, a victory would be a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
The predictions underscore the high stakes: a win could mean a playoff berth for the Eagles and a chance to maintain momentum heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
Key Players and Matchup
While the article focuses on predictions, it implies that key players such as Jalen Hurts for the Eagles and Marcus Mariota for the Commanders will be central to the outcome. The defensive units are highlighted as pivotal, with the Eagles’ defense described as “historically dominant” and the Commanders’ defense noted as “awful this season.”
Key Takeaways
- The Eagles (9‑5) are favored to win against the Commanders (4‑10) in a decisive NFC East matchup.
- Predictions from Reuben Frank, Dave Zangaro, Mike Mulhern, and Ashlyn Sullivan all lean toward an Eagles victory, citing past upsets and current form.
- A win would secure the division title for Philadelphia and a 10‑win season, while a loss would be a rare high point for Washington.
The game promises to be a critical juncture for both teams, with the Eagles aiming to cement their dominance and the Commanders seeking a bright moment in a difficult season.
