Introduction
The NFC Championship clash between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 26, 2025, was less a one-off game and more a statement. Philadelphia overwhelmed Washington in a dominant performance that combined a powerful run game, efficient short-yardage offense, and low-risk passing. For Washington, a season of breakthroughs — a deep playoff run behind rookie QB Jayden Daniels — ended with turnovers and missed momentum opportunities. Below I break down the match, the team numbers, and the individual player stats you need to know.
Quick match narrative (what happened)
The Eagles set the tone early, striking quickly on the ground and forcing Washington into a chase. Philadelphia’s balanced attack — including several short-area touchdown runs by Jalen Hurts and explosive rushing scores from Saquon Barkley — built a lead Washington couldn’t erase. Turnovers and special-teams plays tilted field position repeatedly in Philadelphia’s favor. The Eagles finished with seven rushing touchdowns in the game and controlled the clock and the line of scrimmage throughout.
Team box-score highlights
- Total yards: Eagles 459 — Commanders 350.
- Rushing yards: Eagles 229 — Commanders 99. The Eagles’ ground game was both explosive and efficient.
- Passing yards: Commanders 251 — Eagles 230. Despite losing the game, Washington moved the ball through the air.
- Turnovers: Washington lost multiple fumbles (3 lost fumbles reported) and threw 1 interception; Eagles protected the ball (no turnovers). Turnover margin was a decisive factor.
Key individual performances
Philadelphia Eagles
- Saquon Barkley (RB): A centerpiece of the win — Barkley finished with a strong rushing line (reported at/around 118 rushing yards with 3 rushing TDs in the championship). His long TDs and short-yardage punch were crucial to early momentum.
- Jalen Hurts (QB): Hurts contributed both on the ground and through the air — multiple rushing TDs (3 rushing TDs noted) plus efficient passing to manage drives and convert short-yardage scoring opportunities. Hurts’ ability to finish drives with his legs kept Washington on its heels.
- Receiving & OL: A.J. Brown/DeVonta Smith (if targeted) and the Eagles’ offensive line earned praise for opening lanes and protecting short-yardage rushes; the line’s run-blocking was a game-long advantage. (Team reports and box-score context).
Washington Commanders
- Jayden Daniels (QB): Even in defeat Daniels produced yardage and a touchdown — ESPN/box-score shows Daniels with passing yards (around 255) and he added a rushing score. He led the Commanders offense and kept drives alive despite turnovers.
- Top skill players (receivers/rbs): Washington generated productive passing sequences but were undone by turnovers and an inability to sustain long scoring drives versus Philadelphia’s defense. Specific snap counts and target shares are available in team stat posts.
Why the stats tell the full story
- Rushing dominance — The Eagles’ 229 rushing yards and multiple rushing TDs reflect a game plan that attacked Washington’s front seven and exploited gap-control breakdowns. When a team runs for 200+ yards in a playoff game and scores seven rushing TDs (reports note a ground-heavy touchdown count), it’s typically a game-control win.
- Turnover margin — Washington’s lost fumbles (three reported) swung field position and scoring opportunities. The single most repeatable stat in playoff losses is turnovers; being minus-3 in turnovers in a high-level game makes comebacks unlikely.
- Efficiency in the red zone and short-yardage — Hurts and Barkley capitalized on short-yardage situations, translating drives into touchdowns rather than field goals or punts. That efficiency added up quickly on the scoreboard.
Turning points & decisive sequences
- Early explosive play(s): Saquon Barkley’s early long touchdown (reports reference a 60-yard score to ignite the Eagles) swung momentum and forced Washington to abandon more conservative, clock-managing approaches.
- Washington turnovers: Each lost fumble handed the Eagles short fields or extended drives; the timing of the turnovers (mid-quarters) prevented Washington from building consistent momentum.
- Late-game surge: Philadelphia piled on points in the second half and particularly the fourth quarter, preventing any realistic Washington comeback. The cumulative scoring burst (21 points in the 4th quarter, per box score) sealed the game.
Advanced/role-specific notes
- Commanders QB play: Jayden Daniels’ stat line (passing yards around 250+, rushing yards added) indicates an aggressive approach and the ability to move the ball — but turnovers and sack/pressure situations limited scoring sequences.
- Eagles defensive front: Pressure and tackling in space limited Washington’s rushing effectiveness (Commanders rushed for under 100 yards). That forced more passing attempts in obvious passing downs, where the Eagles could pin their ears back.
Player grades (summary — offense / defense)
- Eagles Offense: A — Run game dominant; QB managed game plan; finishing drives.
- Eagles Defense: B+ — Bend-but-don’t-break in key moments, created turnovers indirectly by forcing fumbles/poor ball security.
- Commanders Offense: B- — Jayden Daniels showed poise and produced yardage, but turnovers and failure to convert key drives kept them out of the game.
- Commanders Defense: C — Struggled with run fits and short-yardage tackling; couldn’t stop sustained drives. discover PlayMyWorld
What this means going forward
- For the Eagles: This performance reinforced Philadelphia’s identity — powerful rush attack, mobile QB scoring, and a physical offensive line — and positioned them as a clear Super Bowl contender that year.
- For the Commanders: Reaching the NFC Championship was a major season milestone and evidence of strong roster building and a promising young QB in Jayden Daniels. The takeaway is clear: improve ball security and short-yardage run defense to make the next leap.
Quick stat table (high-level — sourced from box score)
- Final Score: PHI 55 — WSH 23.
- PHI Total Yards: 459.
- WSH Total Yards: 350.
- PHI Rushing Yards: 229.
- WSH Rushing Yards: 99.
- Turnovers (WSH): 3 fumbles lost, 1 INT (box score context).
FAQs
Q: Who was the MVP of the game?
A: While no single MVP was officially named in every source, Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts were the statistical standouts — Barkley for his three rushing TDs and explosive runs, and Hurts for his short-yardage finishing ability. Multiple outlets highlighted Barkley and Hurts as decisive contributors.
Q: How did Jayden Daniels perform?
A: Daniels put up solid yardage (roughly mid-200s passing) and a rushing TD, showing growth and clutch play earlier in the postseason — but turnovers and the Eagles’ control of the line limited his team’s scoring.
Q: Were there any records or notable milestones?
A: Coverage after the game noted the Eagles’ historic scoring margin in a conference championship and the unusually high number of rushing TDs; analysts called the 55 points a record-setting output for an NFC title game in that season’s context.
Closing thoughts
This matchup showed two different playoff identities: the Eagles’ veteran power and finishing ability versus the Commanders’ youthful resilience and explosiveness. The stat lines make that clear — Philadelphia dominated on the ground, protected the football, and converted opportunities into touchdowns. Washington’s run as a challenger was genuine and encouraging, but the NFC Championship exposed areas (ball security and run defense) the team must fix to convert future deep runs into championships.
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