Hogs Haven
Washington went to the locker room with a 10-7 lead, similar to the halftime score two weeks earlier when the Eagles and Commander played in Landover.
This time, however, Washington scored a pair of 4th quarter touchdowns to win the game 24-17 while the Eagles were scoreless in the final 15 minutes.
With the Bears losing, the Eagles miss the opportunity to earn the #2 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Commanders cement the 7th pick in the April draft.
The Eagles are going to the playoffs; the Commanders are not. Philly is resting starters. Washington will also be fielding a load of 2nd & 3rd string players in this game, but for a different reason — the Commanders’ season has been marred by injury on offense, defenses and special teams.
The game that schedule-makers back in the Spring had hoped to be crucial in determining the NFC East Champion, instead features QB Josh Johnson making his 2nd (and final) start of the ‘25 season with Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota — the team’s top two quarterbacks — out with injury, while Philadelphia will start backup QB Tanner McKee.
Philly will either end up with the 2nd or 3rd seed in the NFC playoffs. Washington, with a win, is locked in at the #7 pick in April’s draft; with a loss, the Commanders could end up picking earlier if one of the 3-win teams ahead of them in the draft order were to win today. Little else hangs in the balance for either team.
Eagles fans are keen to reach the first round of the playoffs with a healthy roster while Commanders fans are mostly just relieved to reach the end of an unexpectedly trying season.
The game started with the Commanders kicking off to Philly, who started the opening drive at the 32-yard line.
Eagles
Tanner McKee opened up with a 17-yard pass completion on the first play of the drive. No Saquon Barkley on the field; Tank Bigsby is the running back.
Daron Payne picked up his 3rd sack of the season on the next play, coming off the left side of the defense unblocked.
Davonta Smith is on the field as he tries to achieve 1,000 receiving yards on the season. He is targeted 3 times on the opening drive, but McKee can’t find him on 3rd & 9, and Philly punts.
Commanders
The punt was downed at the 15-yard line, where the Josh Johnson-led Commanders offense will start its first drive of the game. Announcer Kevin Harlan actually laughs when he mentions that Johnson is starting — a bit disrespectful despite talk about how impressive Johnson’s story is.
Deebo opens the drive with a 16-yard catch & run.
Johnson dodged interior pressure on 2nd down for a short gain. On 3rd & 5, he finds Trey Burks on the right sideline for 6 yards and a first down.
Bill Croskey-Merritt gets the start at running back...
